Dodgers Urged to Acquire $5.3 Million All-Star Reliever From Spiraling AL Club in Blockbuster Trade
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been ravaged by the injury bug early in the 2025 season. After finishing the 2024 season with just three healthy starting pitchers – and still, somehow, winning the World Series – the Dodgers reloaded this offseason with the plan to not have to add at the trade deadline. More news: Mets’ Juan Soto Wanted to Re-Sign With Yankees in Free Agency, Says New York Insider “My goal is to not buy in July,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said over the offseason. “I am setting that out there right now.
My goal is to do everything we can right now to not buy in July. It is terrible.” That is quickly becoming just a pipe dream. The Dodgers currently lead Major League Baseball in bullpen innings with 210.2 innings pitched. The next closest team is the Milwaukee Brewers at 192.2 innings. Moreover, the Dodgers currently have 14 pitchers on the injured list, including multiple key members of the bullpen. Thus, it appears the Dodgers will be looking to fill some holes come the trade deadline – or potentially even sooner – and Jason Fray of Dodgers Nation has just the idea. More news: Yankees Veteran Pitcher Elects to Leave Organization, Head to Free Agency He linked the Dodgers to Baltimore Orioles two-time All-Star left-handed reliever Gregory Soto. “
The lefty from Baltimore could be someone the team looks into,” Fray wrote. “He’s a power pitcher from the left side with some intriguing underlying analytics. According to Baseball Savant, Soto ranks in the 96th percentile in barrel percentage. He also averages 96.6 mph on his fastball. “When hitters do square him up, Soto has allowed some loud contact. He’s ranks in the 10th percentile in average exit velocity by the opposition (91.5 mph). Remember, (Michael) Kopech had dreadful numbers on paper when acquired from the Chicago White Sox. Needless to say, he became a major x-factor for the team down the stretch.” Soto is on a Baltimore team that has been the biggest disappointment of the 2025 season.
With Soto on an expiring deal, it’s possible the team looks to move him if they’re out of contention – or even if they’re in contention considering how little they like to spend in free agency. Soto has made 18 appearances this season, sporting a 4.02 ERA with eight holds over 15.2 innings of work. Soto was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022 with the Detroit Tigers. He has a career 4.26 ERA across 339 appearances with the Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies and Orioles over seven seasons. He has a 4.91 ERA in six postseason appearances with the Phillies in 2023 and Orioles in 2024.
