Dodgers: Twins players LAD can steal in trade after Minnesota’s brutal start

2. Taylor Rogers

The Dodgers should be in on any veteran bullpen option with a pulse this deadline to prevent the use of Mitch White and Alex Vesia in big spots.

A standout like Taylor Rogers? Yes. Easy. Nodding vigorously.

LA stacked their deck with bullpen bounce back candidates this spring, hoping to hit on one or two lottery tickets. Unfortunately, the unit has been decimated in the weeks that followed. For every resurgent Kenley Jansen or returning Joe Kelly, there’s been a Corey Knebel, who went down long-term after proving early that he still had his good stuff. Los Angeles lost Brusdar Graterol. Price, filling a late-inning role, ran into durability concerns. After exhausting long-shot options like White and Vesia, very few remaining 40-man-roster relievers are still in the minor-league ranks, so it’s time to take to the skies and try to acquire a Twin.

Rogers is in the midst of another tremendous season from the southpaw side of things, striking out 23 in 16 innings with a 144 ERA+. Discounting 2020, he’s never had an ERA+ under 140 in a full season since his rookie year; that’s the kind of “new look” you should want in the ‘pen. Rogers brings the ability to sling from the left side on days when Victor Gonzalez needs a rest, as well as legitimately finish games off if the need arises.

If the Dodgers acquired Rogers, he’d probably slot in right behind Jansen and Blake Treinen in the postseason bullpen pecking order. Seems valuable.