The Los Angeles Dodgers are urgently seeking bullpen reinforcements as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, despite recently investing over $100 million in relievers and signing Blake Snell to a major contract. Struggling with pitching issues during a rough stretch, the Dodgers look to stabilize their roster just as Max Muncy returns from injury to boost the lineup.
Mounting Pitching Challenges Force Dodgers Back to Trade Discussions
Los Angeles faces significant hurdles after losing 10 of their last 13 games, largely due to pitching struggles in both their rotation and bullpen. With starters Blake Snell, Tony Gonsolin, and Roki Sasaki sidelined, the team has been forced to rely heavily on a depleted bullpen that has failed to consistently deliver.
General manager Brandon Gomes expressed the urgency of adding new players before the deadline.
We’ll see how these next few days come out and what everything looks like, but as of now, our stance hasn’t changed on needing to go out and get additional pieces,
Gomes said, underscoring the critical need for reinforcements.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been further weakened by injuries and underperformance. Veteran closer Kirby Yates has been solid but has not reached elite levels, while Tanner Scott was recently sidelined with elbow discomfort. Initial medical scans ruled out major damage, but his absence compounds bullpen instability. Other relievers like Michael Kopech have barely pitched this season, Blake Treinen has been on the injured list since spring, Evan Phillips is out for the year, and Brusdar Graterol remains sidelined after shoulder surgery.
High-Risk Targets and Fierce Competition in Bullpen Hunt
With many playoff-bound teams competing for relief pitching, Los Angeles is pursuing several high-caliber arms, including Emmanuel Clase, Félix Bautista, Cade Smith, Griffin Jax, Ryan Helsley, and David Bednar. However, acquiring any of these pitchers will require significant trade costs.
Gomes acknowledged,
The prices are always crazy come the deadline,
indicating the difficulty of securing top relievers under intense market demand.
While pitching has become the primary focus, the Dodgers are not actively looking to bolster their offense at this time. Despite some inconsistent performances among hitters, the team anticipates that Max Muncy’s upcoming return from rehab, ahead of the originally expected six-week timeline, will restore their offensive strength.
The Impact of Muncy’s Return Amidst the Trade Deadline Pressure
Muncy’s return offers a timely boost to the Dodgers’ lineup as they attempt to overcome recent losses and pitching struggles. By reinforcing their offensive core with Muncy’s presence, Los Angeles hopes to complement any new bullpen additions made before the deadline. This combination could help the defending World Series champions regain momentum during a crucial stretch in the season.
The Dodgers’ ability to address their pitching woes while counting on returning stars like Muncy will likely determine their chances at repeating as champions. As the trade deadline nears, the team’s decisions on pitching acquisitions and player health updates will be vital to their pursuit of another postseason run.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Max Muncy’s annual salary?
A. Ohtani will make $2 million this season from his paycheck and $100 million from endorsements.
He accepted that $68 million of his $70-million yearly pay can be delayed by the Dodgers over his 10-year deal.
His earnings for this season add up to $102 million.