Dodgers Rumor Roundup: Who the Dodgers Are Linked To

CINCINNATI, OH—The 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline is just over twenty-four hours away, and when the clock hits 3 PM PT tomorrow, all thirty teams across the league will have their pencils down.

That said, the rumor mill has been highly active as of late, with multiple players already being moved as we inch closer to the deadline. But where do the Dodgers stand?

According to multiple MLB insiders, the Dodgers have identified the bullpen as a key area for the team to address at this year’s trade deadline, specifically targeting a right-handed arm that specializes against right-handed hitters.

Andrew Friedman himself confirmed this interest in May after the Dodgers lost right-hander Evan Phillips for the remainder of the season due to Tommy John surgery.

However, the Dodgers’ needs in the bullpen have gotten greater over the last two months since Phillips’ season-ending injury, with Tanner Scott the latest arm to go down with an elbow issue, and the team’s bullpen leading the league in innings pitched while also ranking at the bottom of the league in ERA.

The Dodgers have shot high in trade talks thus far to address the issue, targeting names such as Minnesota Twins’ Jhoan Durán, Emmanuel Clase (before his placement on paid leave), Griffin Jax, and St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

However, the prices for these arms are reportedly sky-high, with virtually all contenders and the large market teams in need of bullpen help, including the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs.

Yesterday, another arm entered the rumor mill with the Dodgers now being linked to Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Fairbanks, 31, is set to earn $7 million next season if the Rays pick up his 2026 club option, but that seems a bit high on the price range for the Rays, who like to operate in the thinnest of margins.

Despite Tampa being in the American League Wild Card race, they’ll likely look to sell off Fairbanks now, rather than decline his option and get nothing in return.

David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates is another name that many teams are inquiring about, but with the veteran right-hander not allowing a single earned run since May 23rd, the Pirates are asking a king’s ransom.

On the position player side, the Dodgers would also like to upgrade their bench or add a left fielder after receiving little production out of Ichael Conforto until July.

Like the relief pitching market, the Dodgers have eyed the top talent around the league, such as utilityman Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians, and Harrison Bader of the Twins.

Donovan and Kwan would cost the most in any trade proposal due to their talent and team control. With the Dodgers reportedly not inclined to part ways with their top prospects (Hope, De Paula, Rushing, Freeland), a deal doesn’t seem possible.

However, Bader is a realistic option and has been a name Dodgers insider David Vassegh has said to keep an eye on, as the interest from the club is real.

Bader has put together a great 2025 season for the Twins, hitting .254/.337/.439 with a 118 wRC+, along with twelve home runs and thirty-eight RBIs.

Along with a decent bat, Bader has always shown an above-average glove ranking in the 93rd percentile in OAA and a .995 fielding percentage in the outfield this season.

With the injury to Kiké Hernández, the Dodgers lack a right-handed hitting outfielder off the bench or a late-inning defensive replacement that the team had last summer in Kevin Kiermaier.

Bader also seems to be a rental with the right-handed bat, having a $10 million mutual option that he’d likely opt out of to get a longer deal, rewarding him for a nice turnaround season.

Bader would not cost much in value, and would instantly plug a hole in the Dodgers’ bench and outfield without breaking the bank.

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