The Los Angeles Dodgers have made pitcher Dustin May available for trade as the MLB trade deadline approaches, aiming to improve their bullpen or outfield. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers are actively informing teams that May is on the market, given the high demand for starting pitchers across the league.
May’s Health and Performance Amid Uncertain Postseason Role
Despite remaining one of the few healthy starters in the Dodgers’ rotation this season, making a career-high 18 starts after several surgeries in previous years, May has struggled on the mound. He holds a career-worst 4.85 ERA, and with injured starters Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki set to return soon, the Dodgers do not anticipate including May in their postseason roster.
“In their mind they’re thinking, ‘Is Dustin May gonna be on the playoff roster?’ Most likely not. There’d have to be some catastrophic injuries for him to make the roster. So that’s why they’re making him available,”
Nightengale explained.
Trade Considerations and Conditions Set by the Dodgers
With May set to become a free agent after the current season and contending teams in urgent need of starting pitching, the Dodgers see an opportunity to leverage his value now. However, Los Angeles remains firm on receiving a player who can contribute immediately to their postseason chances, reflecting a strategic approach seen in previous trades involving players like Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech in 2024.
“They’re not gonna move him unless they get something back in return that can help them right now,”
Nightengale said.
The Dodgers prefer acquiring an MLB-ready player but anticipate that contending teams may hesitate to trade such assets to a reigning World Series champion in exchange for a rental pitcher. This could lead Los Angeles to pursue a top prospect in return, especially one ranked within the top 15-20 of a team’s prospect list.
“If they move Dustin May they’re moving him to a contender because he’s a rental, so it’ll be hard to see a contender say, ‘Okay, I’ll help the Dodgers out by giving him a reliever’ — unless it’s like a middle reliever, maybe a set up guy. So probably more likely it’d make more sense to get somebody’s top 15-20 prospect,”
Nightengale added.
Looking Ahead: Potential Impact of a May Trade for the Dodgers
The Dodgers’ decision to trade Dustin May reflects their focus on postseason readiness and roster optimization. Moving May could provide Los Angeles with fresh talent or bullpen reinforcements critical for a deep playoff run. With Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki returning from injury, the team appears ready to redistribute rotation roles and strengthen other areas.
As the trade deadline nears, teams pursuing starting pitching are expected to evaluate May closely, balancing his struggles against his potential value as a mid-season addition. The Dodgers’ insistence on receiving players who can immediately aid their championship quest underscores their commitment to maintaining competitive advantage.