Dodgers: 3 bullpen arms LAD should trade for as soon as possible

To say Los Angeles desperately need relievers is an understatement. To say they need at least one more reliever to win the World Series is an absolute fact.

Granted, any championship contender at the moment could use more relievers. No team in their right mind would say, “Relief for our star pitcher? No thanks, we’re good.”

But this year, the Dodgers are especially primed for a postseason run, and it would just be the worst if their mess of a bullpen brought them down.

Currently, the team has a 3.69 bullpen ERA (eighth in the league), which isn’t terrible — but “not terrible” isn’t going to win any championships.

The Dodgers have used 17 different arms in relief, each of whom have had their turn in the revolving door in and out of the bullpen. Last season, Julio Urias showed just how important a shutdown reliever can be, but now that he’s taken the fourth rotation spot, the team needs other reliable closers. Kenley Jansen is enjoying a mild resurgence, and Blake Treinen is, well, there, but don’t count on the two of them to hold a lead without significant support. The Dodgers’ kryptonite this season has been closing out games: LA has blown 15 save opportunities, second only in the NL to the Miami Marlins, who have 16. Definitely not a good look going into the postseason.

During a time when bottom-feeder teams are having “Everything must go!” sales and relief pitchers are the hottest commodities, here are 3 bullpen arms that the Dodgers should trade for right now.

The Dodgers should trade for these 3 relievers.

3. Taylor Rogers

The Minnesota Twins are sitting dead last in the AL Central, and you can bet they’ll want to sell the nuts and bolts of their rotation and bullpen this year. Taylor Rogers is one of the most precious pieces of their relief team, and though he’ll come at a hefty price, he could be a very welcome addition for Los Angeles.

Picked by the Twins in the 11th round out of Kentucky in the 2012 MLB draft, Rogers signed with Minnesota for just $100,000. But while he mostly flies under the radar, Rogers isn’t a fringe major league starter, nor is he just a decent or average closer. He’s proven to be a bullpen ace who could swing the tides of nail-biting late-inning games. Rogers is posting the best strikeout rate of his career as well as the lowest walk totals during his career with the Twins so far. He’s a bona fide lefty reliever who could pair well with Victor Gonzalez, and he’s more than used to closing out games for Minnesota. He’ll do just fine for Los Angeles.

With a 2.63 ERA this season through 26 games, Rogers has grown to be a top-notch late-inning lefty who can plug the Dodgers’ leaky boat of a bullpen. In a season plagued by injuries, the Dodgers will need Rogers’ Elmer’s-glue durability: Rogers has made anywhere from 57 to 72 appearances in each of his last four full seasons. He’s Mr. Dependability in a sea of expendables, and the Dodgers could use his well-oiled arm in any inning, beginning, middle, or end.

1. Richard Rodriguez

With the Pirates’ ship sinking yet again, Richard Rodriguez could be the most desirable bullpen fixture at the trade deadline. This season, Rodriguez has pitched to the tune of a 1.71 ERA with 30 strikeouts. It’s true his strikeout rate isn’t as high as previous years, but he’s playing the best season of his career, all else considered. The 31-year-old is in his fourth full major league season as a reliever with the Pirates, and last year, Rodriguez’s arm did nothing but impress. In the shortened 2020 season, Rodriguez struck out 34 batters while only walking five in 23.1 innings pitched, and his incredible control makes him one of the most-coveted ‘pen arms this year.

Rodriguez been effective almost every year he’s been in the majors and his forgettable 2019 season is looking more like a fluke, especially after Oscar Marin came in as the new Pittsburgh pitching coach and forced him to drop his sinker. In high-leverage situations, opponents have just a single hit, and just two hits when he has men on base.

As the postseason draws closer and relief pitchers become possible trade chips for contending teams, the trade for Rodriguez could be as simple as a one-for-one. The Dodgers get Rodriguez, the Pirates get a much-needed catcher in prospect Diego Cartaya.  Rich Rod shutting down batters and holding 1-2 run leads is a lot more valuable to a playoff-contending team like the Dodgers, whose bullpen arms keep letting the team down in games. The Dodgers should go after Rodriguez with everything they’ve got and finally bring some peace of mind to Los Angeles.