As next Thursday’s trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves with several tough choices, including whether they want to address their current left field situation. Michael Conforto, signed to a one-year, $17 million deal in the offseason, has struggled mightily in his first season in Dodger Blue, slashing just .186/.296/.323 with eight home runs through his first 90 games.
The lefty-hitting outfielder has shown recent signs of life, posting a much-improved .254/.293/.479 slash line with four home runs and four doubles over his last 23 games. But for a team with championship aspirations, the question remains: Will Conforto’s bat be potent enough to deliver what the team needs to succeed offensively?
Trade Rumors Beginning to Surface Across the MLB
According to some rumblings, the Dodgers have emerged as one of several teams expressing interest in St. Louis Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan. The left-handed hitting All-Star presents an intriguing option that could solve multiple roster puzzle pieces for Los Angeles.
The 28-year-old Donovan, who’s batting .293/.360/.428 with nine home runs this season, offers the same left-handed bat the Dodgers sought when they signed Conforto. More importantly, Donovan’s defensive versatility could create the roster flexibility that manager Dave Roberts values so highly. With Tommy Edman‘s ability to play multiple positions, the Dodgers could theoretically slot Donovan at second base, move Edman to center field more frequently, shift Andy Pages to a corner spot, and effectively phase out Conforto from the everyday lineup.
The Cardinals have reportedly set a high asking price for Donovan, who remains under team control through 2027. While the Dodgers might be reluctant to part with high-demand prospects like Dalton Rushing or Alex Freeland, the appeal of adding a proven major league bat who could contribute immediately and for years to come may ultimately prove too tempting to resist.
The Bullpen Crisis Demands Attention
While the outfield situation has grabbed several headlines, the team’s most pressing need heading into the deadline is clear — bullpen help. The relief corps has been decimated by injuries, with Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, and most recently Tanner Scott all spending significant time on the injured list.
The numbers tell a horrifying story. Los Angeles relievers have thrown a league-high 446-⅔ innings while posting an unimpressive combined 4.35 ERA. Three of their top relievers heading into the season — Kopech, Phillips and Treinen — are all currently on the 60-day injured list. Even the recent addition of Scott, signed to a four-year, $72 million deal in the offseason, has struggled with a 4.14 ERA and recently landed on the IL with elbow inflammation.
With Treinen expected back soon and Kopech targeting a late August return, reinforcements could be coming. But October is rapidly approaching, and championship teams can’t afford to enter the postseason with an overworked and undermanned bullpen.
Looking Ahead
The beauty of the trade deadline is that it forces difficult decisions that organizations might otherwise postpone. For the Dodgers, that decision centers on whether to double down on Conforto’s recent improvement or acknowledge that his offensive capabilities simply aren’t championship-caliber.
Adding a player like Donovan would create roster flexibility while addressing the need for a reliable left-handed bat. More importantly, it would give the Dodgers options in October, when depth and versatility become crucial advantages. The cost would be steep — likely involving multiple prospects – but for a team that has consistently shown a willingness to mortgage the future for present success, it represents the kind of calculated risk that front-office boss Andrew Friedman might make.
As Thursday’s deadline approaches, the Dodgers will face several decisions that could define their championship aspirations. In a season where everything from starting pitching to the bullpen has tested their depth, the question isn’t whether they’ll make moves — it’s whether they’ll make the right ones.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
I’ve always been a big fan of Donovan’s and would love to add him to the Dodger roster.
I’ve also become a big fan of Rushing’s since his arrival here in L.A. He seems to have a great attitude, be making great strides as a catcher and be well respected by the pitchers. He hasn’t hit all that well since getting here but that’s because they’re only letting him play twice a week.
If they aren’t willing to give him some reps in left field, I’d include him in a trade for Donovan since he’s blocked at catcher, first base and DH. I’d trade him while his value is still very high.
As for Freeland, right now he seems like the only viable replacement we have for Muncy, who will probably only be here for another year or two, so I’d hang on to Alex.
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There’s nothing to think about anymore. He should have been cut at the all star break. If you cant find a trade then move Pages to LF and let Edman/Kim take CF/2B and until max is back Kike and Rojas could pick up the slack.
I’d also like to remind you everyone just how good and important Kershaw has been to this team. With all the injuries Kershaw this season has taken the ball every time and been good even with a 89-92 heater. This team would have been in big trouble if Kershaw hadn’t come back ready to play. In what is possibly his last year he has adapted and thrived. 1st ballot HOF.
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Rumors that Dustin May and Dalton Rushing are getting some interest. The Red Sox want Rushing and teams always are looking for starting pitching. May has been our healthiest arm this year in the rotation along with Kershaw so AF must really think Glasnow and Snell will be healthy in October and Ohtani will be stretched out by then so I get trading May to get something while you can. Theres no chance he comes back next year with all the injuries and that violent delivery. Rushing could bring in a solid haul of prospects or possibly an OF or late inning reliever. Duran would seem to be a good OF if we made a trade with Boston he could slide right into LF. I still think we are 2-3 years down the road from bringing Will Smith from behind the plate so Rushing is blocked unless he can handle LF and also hit.
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I don’t think moving Rushing would be a bad move. Hunter Feduccia has already proven he can handle the staff. Plus, he looks like he’s gonna be a career backup, so he fits in well with Will Smith playing every day. The only problem then is what to do if either Feduccia or Smith get hurt. Also, I don’t think they would get much in return for May at all based on his history. He’s gonna need to get one or two really stellar years under his belt before he can even think about a long term contract anywhere.
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I agree we should trade Rushing while his value is still solid. He could be the center of a trade to get a really good late inning reliever. I wish May wasn’t a free agent this coming season so we could get a long look at him before shelling out lots of money. Since Barnes only signed a minor league deal with SF and isn’t on their 40 man we could get him back if we wanted him.
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I really don’t see them trading Rushing for prospects. If he’s going to be traded, I would think it would only be for someone who would slide into the 2025 lineup, such as Kwan or Duran.
I don’t even see them trading Rushing for a bullpen guy, because relievers tend to be so mercurial, good one year bad the next.
On the other hand, if their plans for next year are to only let Rushing catch twice a week and not let him get any time in LF then they definitely need to move him now while his value is still high.
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May continues to have tough innings today allowed 4 runs in 5 innings.
If they can get a contact hitter with a solid OBP like Kwan I would think trading Rushing would be a good idea. Not sure what value May has. Today was the same as their recent losses. Men in scoring position 0 or 1 out and can’t move the runner over. Horrible fundamentals. Everyone swings for the fences. I hate watching it.
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Another disappointing effort by the offense. 0 for 11 RISP, 13 LOB.
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Saving it all for October. 🙂
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WELCOME TO THE SHOW ALEX FREELAND!!
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May, Outman, Feduccia out. An exceptionally quiet deadline for AF. That isn’t like him. He’s really pushing all his chips to the center hoping Snell and Glasnow will hold up.
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What did they get for May? Still waiting to hear on my end.
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Might be getting some outfield prospect called James Tibbs.
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Alex Call should improve our outfield. Wish they had unloaded Conforto.
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Conforto continues to improve on offense but his defense seems to be getting worse.
Having Call instead of Ruiz should be a big improvement. I realize he’ll be taking Outman’s spot on the roster for now, but I would think Ruiz would be odd man out once Max comes back.
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