The Dodgers were expected to make significant moves to strengthen the bullpen and compensate for the constant injuries in the rotation, but they decided to keep their checkbook closed and act cautiously.
The only additions were reliever Brock Stewart and outfielder Alex Call, while they sent starter Dustin May in exchange for prospect James Tibbs III.
This flurry of moves was not enough to address the team’s main weakness, the bullpen, which had a collective ERA of 4.17, well below the standards of a championship contender.
Why didn’t the Dodgers get reinforcements?
Experts point out that this market closure was even more lukewarm than the previous year, where the Dodgers had already been criticized for their lack of conviction to strengthen the squad.
Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, showed more confidence in the physical recovery of injured players than in seeking external reinforcements just as the division was tightening.
However, these decisions were called into question by the aggressive momentum of other contenders such as the Padres, Phillies and Mets
How did the Mets get stronger?
The Mets, on the other hand, did act with more intensity. They acquired star closer Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals and submariner Tyler Rogers to bolster their bullpen, as well as outfielder Cedric Mullins to shore up the outfield
Compared to the previous bullpen, these pieces raised the level of the New York relievers and addressed open weaknesses.
However, most of these acquisitions are players with contracts that expire this winter. In addition, the cost included giving up 11 prospects, including Blade Tidwell, a pitcher with a high signing bonus and great future expectations
Although the improvement in the bullpen was real, doubts persist as to whether these moves are simply a gamble to finish a stretch of the year well, without thinking much about the medium term.
Which MLB teams were the best reinforced?
While the Dodgers and Mets are wary or short-sighted, other clubs came out of the deadline with a clear advantage in intent and structure.
The Padres made one of the most spectacular moves by acquiring closer Mason Miller and starter J.P. Sears, trading elite prospect Leo De Vries, bolstering the bullpen and rotation in one package
The Phillies closed their big needs by bringing in Jhoan Duran as a closer and Harrison Bader as a dominant bat in the outfield, without sacrificing essential pieces of the prospect system. The Mariners added Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor to give instant offense to a roster with a powerful rotation.
In that sense, both losers were left behind not for lack of resources, but for less determined strategies on a day dominated by aggressive action focused on shoring up for October.
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