Dodgers Rumors: Frequent trade partner (and contender) emerges in Dustin May talks

Despite starting the season with more pitchers than they knew what to do with, the Los Angeles Dodgers are desperate for bullpen and outfield depth at the trade deadline. The latest trade buzz suggests they may be willing to part with Dustin May, a homegrown member of the starting rotation, to fill out their roster.

Trading May would open a roster spot for any trade deadline acquisitions the Dodgers hope to make, and a rotation spot for Blake Snell's impending return. According to Pat Ragazzo of On SI, the New York Yankees have emerged as a frontrunner in the May sweepstakes.

The Yankees have pitchers Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil and Gerrit Cole on the injured list, and they could use another capable rotation arm to finish out their season strong. Will Warren, a homegrown righty, and Marcus Stroman aren't the most reliable pitchers to carry into the postseason. They could also use May in the bullpen if they became desperate for depth in the later innings.

May has posted a 4.85 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 43 walks over 104 innings. His stats don't jump off the page and he's struggled with his command at times, but depth is depth in the playoff race.

Yankees have emerged as frontrunner in potential Dodgers-Dustin May trade before deadline

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal noted that LA is unlikely to trade May for relief pitching, since he can fill that role in the bullpen himself, as he did once this season. New York has a surplus of outfielders from which it could deal, including the recently-acquired Amed Rosario, Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez. Dominguez has been a top Yankees prospect for years and is probably the least likely of the three to be dealt.

It may seem counterintuitive, since their pitching staff has been decimated for much of the season, but it makes sense for the Dodgers to attempt to trade May now. His contract expires after the 2025 season, and LA should get a return for him as it chases a second-straight World Series title.

And if the Dodgers could pass May's recent struggles off to the Yankees — he's clocked a 5.54 ERA in his last seven starts — they absolutely should.