Dodgers finalize Brock Stewart trade with Twins and ship off former ROY candidate

The Dodgers reunited with former reliever Brock Stewart on Thursday, in their first big addition to a bullpen that's hurting for new arms. The return wasn't immediately revealed, but Stewart's addition allowed fans to breathe a small sign of relief — the Dodgers actually are doing things that aren't just weird three-way trades with the Rays and Reds.

Alden González of ESPN reported the return. Former Rookie of the Year candidate James Outman, who has turned into a massive offensive bust for the Dodgers, will go to Minnesota in what could be a 1-for-1 deal.

Outman placed third in RoY voting in 2023 after quickly becoming an integral part of the Dodgers' roster. He began the 2024 season as LA's everyday center fielder but was optioned in mid-May as his performance flagged. He was recalled three more times that year but continued to struggle.

It's been more of the same this year. Although he's made some outstanding plays in center field, his .103 average and .487 OPS weren't going to keep him on the roster. If Outman really is all that the Dodgers had to give up to get Stewart, that's a pretty good deal.

Dodgers finally find a taker for James Outman as Twins' Brock Stewart trade details are revealed

Other teams have previously been interested in Outman, namely the White Sox, when discussions surrounding Luis Robert Jr. to LA were at their peak. The White Sox have very little that the Dodgers might want or need this year, so there went the only public suitor for Outman.

Outman follows in the recent tradition of Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas; promising former top prospects who didn't pan out in LA and were traded to non-contenders to help LA in their pursuit of a dynasty. Neither Busch nor Vargas were ever going to get starting roles with the Dodgers, but now have them with the Cubs and White Sox (and are actually doing pretty well). In the exact same vein, Outman wasn't going to be able to wrest center field from Tommy Edman or Andy Pages. In Minnesota, with the Twins having just traded outfielder Harrison Bader, he should get more playing time.

The Dodgers were going to have to part with Outman one way or another, if only to make room on the 40-man for any incoming trade acquisitions. At least, this way, it's not an unceremonious DFA.