Dodgers: The Big Problem With the Dodgers’ Bullpen

The Likelihood of Adding a Big Time Arm

Even though everyone loves to harp on Friedman, he has added the biggest names available on back-to-back July 31 deadlines, from Yu Darvish in 2017 to Manny Machado in 2018. Of course, neither performed well enough in the postseason to bring a set of World Series rings back to Los Angeles, but they were the big names and cost big prospect packages.

Willie Calhoun and Yusniel Diaz led their respective trade packages for the two former All-Stars acquired by the Dodgers. Both of these players were rentals though, but also played premium positions. Their costs should not drift much beyond that of the available relievers at this deadline.

To make matters even more favorable for Friedman, this year’s team still has plenty of Double-A/Triple-A depth from which to deal. Kiebert Ruiz and Gavin Lux, the top two prospects in the Dodgers’ system according to MLB.com, are ranked 28th and 31st respectively in the MLB.com Top-100 prospect list updated in June.

Both the Indians and Cubs gave up top-30 overall prospects, the best in their respective systems, to be able to go out and nab the premier relievers in the game. So the Dodgers and their fans should be prepared for the team to have to do the same.

Maybe a package including one or two of Tony Gonsolin (#5 Dodgers Prospect), Dennis Santana (#6 Dodgers Prospect), or D.J. Peters (#10 Dodgers Prospect).