Dodgers Reportedly Targeting 'Bigger Names' At MLB Trade Deadline, Reliever Eyed

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly expected to pursue a significant move ahead of Thursday's MLB trade deadline.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Wednesday that the Dodgers will consider "bigger names," with a reliever as their top priority.

The Dodgers won the World Series last season, and after an active offseason that saw them retain many of their own free agents, while also adding pitchers Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, they entered 2025 as the heavy favorites to repeat.

L.A. is having a strong year, as it leads the National League West with a 63-45 record, but the Milwaukee Brewers have a better mark, and several other NL teams are close, including the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

Injuries are the biggest factor holding the Dodgers back from a historically good season, as several key pitchers are on the injured list, including Snell, Scott, Sasaki and Tony Gonsolin.

Scott is the Dodgers' leader in saves with 19, and during his absence they have had to piece together end-of-game situations with Yates and Alex Vesia factoring in heavily.

Anthony Banda and Jack Dreyer are among the Dodgers' other most-used relievers, while Blake Treinen recently returned off the IL and Alexis Díaz was recently called up.

Vesia has been the best of the bunch for the Dodgers out of the bullpen with a 2.47 ERA, followed by Dreyer at 2.91. Others have had some struggles, including Yates (4.31), Scott (4.14), Casparius (4.98) and Treinen (4.15).

The Dodgers could use some help at all levels of their bullpen, including a reliever capable of closing out games.

Per ESPN's Passan and Kiley McDaniel, some of the top relievers potentially available at the trade deadline include Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians, David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Robert Suarez of the San Diego Padres, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals and Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Any of them would represent upgrades for the Dodgers, and they could play a huge role as a late-inning reliever for a team that undoubtedly has championship aspirations once again.