With an injury list growing by the week and a weakened bullpen in the final stretch of July, the Los Angeles Dodgers are under increasing pressure to shore up their relief corps. However, despite expectations, the team is unlikely to make any big moves or high-profile names before the trade deadline.
Although the need is clear, with injuries to Eva Phillips, Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen, reports indicate that management could opt for internal solutions or low-impact reinforcements. The strategy may seem conservative, but it is based on a careful reading of the market and its own resources.
Dodgers explore the market, but avoid risky bets
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers have held talks with several teams about elite relievers such as Jhoan Duran, Ryan Helsley, David Bednar and Emmanue Clase, but finalizing some of these options does not seem likely
Journalist Robert Murray of The Baseball Insiders was even more blunt: “I don’t think they want to thoroughly explore the bullpen market… I haven’t heard them linked with many of the big names”. This stance reveals that less than a week before the deadline, the Dodgers could limit themselves to smaller-scale strategic maneuvers.
Injuries are pressing, but they trust in internal solutions
The alarms are still sounding in the Dodgers’ bullpen and Ben Casparius’ injury, although minor, adds to the list that includes Tanner Scott, Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen and Phillips, who was ruled out for the entire season after undergoing surgery.
Instead of breaking the market, the organization seems inclined to evaluate options such as the promotion of young arms from the minor leagues or moving pieces within its rotation. This approach suggests a firm confidence in the ability of internal development, something that has been characteristic in recent years of the club.
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