Dodgers insider confirms Dustin May trade with Red Sox was a major heist

The Dodgers' down-to-the-wire Dustin May trade at the 2025 deadline is the gift that keeps on giving. In May's own words, he was "pushed out" of the rotation with multiple returns from injury around the All-Star break and his own declining performance, and the Dodgers somehow convinced the Red Sox to give them two top-30 prospects in exchange for a rental.

LA got outfielders James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard; Tibbs was part of the return to Boston in what's become a totally botched Rafael Devers trade to the Giants in June, and he hit like a madman in Tulsa after the Dodgers dealt for him. He and Ehrhard currently rank at No. 8 and No. 27, respectively, in the Dodgers' end-of-season pipeline.

Dodgers insider Fabian Ardaya weighed in on the possibility that any of the Dodgers' four top outfield prospects — Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Eduardo Quintero, and Mike Sirota — make their major league debuts next year. He didn't rule it out entirely, but estimated that De Paula and Sirota would be the only ones under consideration in 2026, and not until late in the season.

However, he added that Tibbs and Ehrhard could be in the mix much earlier.

Dodgers' return from Dustin May trade could be in the majors as early as next year

Tibbs hit .269 with a .900 OPS, seven homers, and 32 RBI in 36 games with the Drillers, and it looks like being traded was what he needed to shake him out of a slump with the Red Sox's Double-A team, where he hit .207 with a .586 OPS in 30 games. Ehrhard was almost as good in Tulsa, hitting .282 with a .857 OPS in 30 games.

If you're thinking that Tibbs and Ehrhard's additions would make the Dodgers' outfield pretty crowded, even if they don't sign or trade for anyone, then you've got the right idea. Ryan Ward is also currently on the 40-man and is expected to get some reps next year. Still, the Dodgers could use both players much like they did top prospect Alex Freeland in 2025. In the event of an injury for an outfielder, any of the three of them could be cycled through to get some reps.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals completely overpaid for May's services on a one-year, $12.5 million deal with a $20 million mutual option for 2027 (he made just $2.135 million with the Dodgers this year). The Dodgers always looked like the clear winners of this trade, but it just becomes more obvious with every new update.