The Dodgers have typically been loath to meet steep deadline prices for big-name relievers in the past.
But based on the way the market is shaping up, they may be left with no other choice this year.
Wednesday’s flurry of moves saw hefty packages exchanged for Jhoan Durán (two top-100 Phillies prospects), Ryan Helsley (two of the Mets’ top-15 prospects) and Tyler Rogers (two of the Mets’ top-12 prospects).
The hauls for Helsley and Rogers were particularly surprising, as they were only rentals who will hit free agency after the season.
That won’t be the case with the top relievers left on the board entering Thursday:
Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (2.37 ERA, 17 saves) won’t be a free agent until 2027. Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks (2.75 ERA, 18 saves) has a relatively team-friendly club option for next year that could top out at $11 million through incentives.
While the Dodgers have been linked to both, neither are certain to move.
The Rays, who remain in AL wild-card contention, would be content keeping Fairbanks unless they receive a compelling offer.
The Pirates view Bednar (who is making only $5.9 million this year in his penultimate season of arbitration) as perhaps the best value on the market.
Elsewhere, Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians is under control until 2030, and might be less likely to move after Cleveland’s closer (and another supposed trade chip) Emmanuel Clase was put on leave amid a gambling investigation.
Likewise, Griffin Jax (3.91 ERA, 21 holds) of the Minnesota Twins, under control through 2027, might also be even harder to pry away now, with his former bullpen-mate in Durán having already been shipped out.
If the Dodgers do prefer a rental who would come at a more reasonable price, Raisel Iglesias of the Atlanta Braves could have appeal. He has a strong career track record (2.99 career ERA, 236 saves), and has shown improvements in recent weeks despite a career-worst overall season (4.97 ERA). Plus, his $16 million salary might limit his market of suitors.
Kenley Jansen (2.93 ERA, 20 saves) would also fit in that category, although the Angels appear to be buyers and are unlikely to make trades with the Dodgers anyway.
If relief costs remain too high in the Dodgers’ eyes, they could explore second-tier alternatives, such as St. Louis’ Phil Maton (2.35 ERA, 20 holds), and Miami’s Anthony Bender (1.83 ERA, 18 holds). Washington’s Kyle Finnegan (4.38 ERA, 20 saves) was another potential target but he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, per reports.
There’s little doubt the Dodgers will get something done before the deadline. Given Evan Phillips’ season-ending Tommy John surgery, and the struggles top offseason signings Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates have endured, the Dodgers need one more arm to shore up the back end of their bullpen.
But with costs high and options dwindling, the clock is ticking for them to land one of the few remaining impact candidates.
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