The Los Angeles Dodgers have a one-game lead in the National League West. They could be looking to make additions at the deadline in order to make a World Series run.
The Dodgers' biggest additions may be coming from their own injured list. Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are making progress toward their respective returns. However, the Dodgers could be looking for relievers before the July 31 trade deadline. The Dodgers gave Tanner Scott a $72 million deal in the offseason, but he has a 3.98 ERA and has blown five saves.
The Dodgers could be interested in adding a reliable closer in case Scott cannot return to his dominant ways. Newsweek's Jon Vankin proposed they trade for Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox. Chapman, 36, is in his 16th season, but is still living up to his nickname as the "Cuban Missile."
"He owns the fastest pitch of the season, firing a 103.8 mph fastball against the Texas Rangers on May 8," wrote Vankin. "His average fastball speed of 99.2 mph ranks his heater in the 99th percentile of current MLB hurlers, the vast majority of whom are considerably younger than he is."
The biggest hitch in Chapman being dealt will be the Red Sox's record. Despite instability at first base and an injury to Alex Bregman, they have clawed their way back to above .500. If they are in contention for a postseason berth leading up to the deadline, it will take a great proposal to steal Chapman away from them. However, if he is made available, Vankin thinks the Dodgers could land him by trading Dalton Rushing.
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Vankin noted that Chapman will be a free agent after the season and would likely refuse a qualifying offer, resulting in the team that acquires him landing draft pick compensation.
"It means Chapman makes an attractive trade target for the Dodgers, giving them half a season of a top-tier closer for a relatively inexpensive pro-rated salary — and if he then departs Los Angeles, the Dodgers get an extra draft pick," wrote Vankin. "All they'd have to do is part with baseball's top overall catching prospect, the No. 15 overall prospect in the game, Dalton Rushing. The 24-year-old Rushing has already been used in the outfield by the Dodgers, who have Will Smith occupying the backstop position. Dealing Rushing would be rather easy for Los Angeles — but would immediately solve Boston's catching depth deficiency."
As highly as the Dodgers may view Rushing, there is no clear path to him being an everyday player for them. Trading a top 100 prospect for the remainder of the 2025 season would be a high cost, but one the Dodgers may consider. As the deadline approaches, Scott's numbers and Chapman's availability may be something to monitor.
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