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MLB Rumors: New Braves trade buzz, Dodgers deadline priority, potential Red Sox reunion

By Cody Williams

Bobby Miller, Los Angeles Dodgers. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Bobby Miller, Los Angeles Dodgers. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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MLB Rumors, Los Angeles Dodgers, Brusdar Graterol
Los Angeles Dodgers, Brusdar Graterol. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Dodgers trade deadline plans shifting to crowded pitching market

Coming into the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers and President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman were confident that pitching would not be an issue. After all, why would they think otherwise? The Dodgers had posted the best team ERA since 2019 over that span.

Things have changed, though. With the Dodgers now sitting shockingly in third place in the NL West, one game back of the Giants and 4.5 back of the league-leading Diamondbacks in the MLB standings, pitching has been the culprit. And now Friedman is thinking it could have a serious effect on the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline.

“In spring training, I did not expect that in July we would aggressively be looking for pitching. With the injuries and where we are, I think that focus has shifted,” Friedman said, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic (subscription required). “There’s no question that (targeting pitching) is more likely than it was in March.”

The unfortunate part for the Dodgers, however, is that they aren’t alone. Yes, they have historically been one of the more successful and aggressive teams on the trade market, but with the competition for the worthwhile pitching that is actually available this season and a bevy of playoff contenders still alive, that could make things complicated for Los Angeles.

At the same time, though, it’s necessary. Injuries haven’t helped the Dodgers, without question. Julio Urias has been out for over a month and Dustin May remains out too. Meanwhile, Tony Gonsolin missed the start of the season and has been a bit up-and-down since his return.

There have been bright spots, most notably the immediate ascension of Bobby Miller and the aced debut of Emmet Sheehan. But even then, this team is still searching for bullpen consistency and more stability in the rotation so they aren’t relying on so many young arms. And now we’ll likely see how aggressive the club plans to be to address this given how the tides have shifted.

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