Dodgers Linked to All-Star Relievers in Potential Major Trade Deadline Moves

From Zack Littell to Sandy Alcantara, there’s been no shortage of names associated with the Los Angeles Dodgers as possible trade targets this summer.

The possible names don’t just involve starting pitchers. Los Angeles could use some bullpen help — particularly from the right side.

Lefty Tanner Scott has assumed the closer duties for the most part. However, historically, the Dodgers prefer to match the opposition in crunch-time situations rather than just trot out the same arm in every closing situation.

For this reason, adding another wipeout right-handed arm to go with Scott and the rest of the bullpen could be the play for Andrew Friedman and his front office. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise to see ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan link the Dodgers to a handful of very talented relievers. 

Specifically, the names include Pete Fairbanks (Tampa Bay Rays), Felix Bautista (Baltimore Orioles), Ryan Helsley (St. Louis Cardinals), Emannuel Clase (Cleveland Guardians), and Jhoan Duran (Minnesota Twins).

All five of these arms would represent upgrades to what L.A. currently has in its stable of healthy relievers. With that said, are all realistic names to be moved?

Of the five, McDaniel and Passan have Fairbanks as the most likely to be jettisoned. Tampa Bay loves to flip productive big leaguers for future assets. The Rays and Dodgers have close ties to one another, and as such, a deal between the two is quite feasible.

Fairbanks sports a 2.15 ERA on the year. He ranks in the 100th percentile in barrel percentage, the 90th percentile in fastball velocity and the 91st percentile in xERA (all courtesy of Baseball Savant).

Fairbanks, 31, has a club option for only $7 million next year. Financially speaking, that would not be a crushing deal for the Dodgers to take on.

Bautista is still on the books for two more years after this season. Baltimore likely would be asking a considerable amount for his services.

The same can be said for Clase and the Guardians — especially with Cleveland contending most years.

Duran might be the best of the bunch next to Clase. Minnesota is still hanging around the Wild Card race, and with the American League being very down this year, the Twins could opt to hold onto its elite reliever with the hopes of sneaking into the postseason.

Helsley might be the other procurable name for the Dodgers. The flamethrower averages 99.1 miles per hour on his fastball. He ranks in the 92nd percentile in chase rate, and his breaking ball has been lethal this year.

Most exciting for the Dodgers is the fact he’ll be a free agent at the conclusion of this season. St. Louis may be willing to part with Helsley at somewhat of a discount.

With that said, St. Louis has overachieved this year and is currently in a Wild Card playoff spot. The next few weeks may determine whether the Cardinals consider themselves to be contenders or sellers at the deadline.