Dodgers Expected To Pursue Bullpen Help Amid Injuries, Slumps

Despite heavy offseason spending totaling nearly $400 million and high-profile signings like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers face significant challenges heading into the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Injuries and underperformance, especially in the bullpen, have forced the team to reconsider their initial plan to avoid midseason acquisitions. Key relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates have struggled with high ERAs and blown saves, prompting the Dodgers to actively pursue bullpen help, including potential targets from the Minnesota Twins. Offensively, the Dodgers are concerned about left fielder Michael Conforto's poor performance, batting just .184, which may lead to a trade for a more reliable bat, with Athletics slugger Brent Rooker being a speculative but impactful option. While starting rotation health is expected to improve with the return of Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, the team still needs strategic additions, particularly in the bullpen and outfield, to sustain their World Series aspirations. Overall, the Dodgers are shifting from a cautious offseason strategy to a more aggressive trade deadline approach to address glaring roster weaknesses.