Los Angeles Dodgers Reportedly Linked to Rays 2.03 ERA Closer

The Los Angeles Dodgers are always a team that is active at MLB’s trade deadline. Sitting at 51-31, and comfortably having a six-game lead atop the National League West, Los Angeles is always looking for more additions to complete its roster.

It’s been documented and reported that Los Angeles likely won’t target a starting pitcher because they are still awaiting the returns of starters Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that the Dodgers are allowing them ample time to get healthy so that they are ready for September and October. However, this does not mean they will be quiet at the trade deadline.

MLB Insider Links Dodgers to Rays closer

There have been recent reports by USAToday’s Bob Nightengale that the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks.

“The Dodgers continue to be on the prowl, and Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, will do everything humanly possible to make sure this team is given every opportunity to become the first NL team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds,” wrote Nightengale.

The Dodgers are certainly a well-oiled machine, and they will likely make many calls to inquire about certain players who may be available. The reliever market is something that every MLB team that hopes to contend looks at down the stretch. For Fairbanks, he’s having an incredible 2025 campaign and may earn his first All-Star bid. He currently has a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings. His FIP is just 2.75 to go along with 15 saves in the first half of the season.

Why Fairbanks Makes Sense for the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with so many pitching injuries thus far this season that it is not far-fetched to think some of these high-leverage arms may not be ready for high-leverage moments. A remarkable stat for Fairbanks is that he has yet to give up a home run this season, and that’s while playing at a minor league park for all his home games. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ bullpen Achilles’ heel has been giving up the long ball.

Los Angeles has high ambitions of repeating as the World Series Champions, and with such a loaded farm system, they could afford to make a blockbuster trade like this.

The only conundrum in a deal like this is if the Tampa Bay Rays are willing to give up Fairbanks. Tampa Bay is playing unexpectedly great baseball over the last month and a half, and is just 0.5 games back of the New York Yankees in the American League East. Dealing Fairbanks, their best reliever, would be a sure sign of bullpen regression.

It is a name to certainly keep an eye on as the July 31st deadline looms, but first reports are that the Dodgers are interested.

The Dodgers’ willingness to consistently target top names in the trade market year in and year out is why they have been so successful over the last decade. While it already seems like they have the complete roster, they’re always out searching for more.