In the buildup to the current season, the Los Angeles Dodgers meticulously constructed what seemed to be a formidable starting pitching lineup. This included acquiring talent like Tyler Glasnow, signing Blake Snell, pursuing the Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, and setting up a future around stars such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In theory, their setup oozed exclusivity and expertise.
However, the promising picture painted off-field hasn’t translated into reality on the field. The unfortunate recurrence of injuries has significantly disrupted the Dodgers’ depth in pitching. Glasnow, Snell, Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin have all succumbed to injuries, and Ohtani hasn’t yet been able to play on the mound.
Amid the turbulence, Yoshinobu Yamamoto stands out as the silver lining, as he has emerged as a strong contender for the prestigious Cy Young award. Despite his stellar performance, the team’s pitching landscape remains in disarray. Emergencies left the Dodgers scarce on options, forcing them to draw upon Ryan Yarbrough and Landon Knack to cover up the deficit in the first half.
While these emergency reinforcements sustained their ground, it’s abundantly clear that for the Dodgers to drive a convincing campaign for the World Series, they need additional, more reliable pitching support. This leaves the Dodgers in a precarious situation, potentially nudging them towards trading a considerable asset this summer – the ace from the Houston Astros, Framber Valdez.
Houston’s willingness to sell is crucial, and if they do, it could propel the Dodgers and the Padres into the forefront. Both clubs are contenders and are openly eager to incorporate a left-handed starter with resilience into their game plan. Valdez, who’s a two-time All-Star and has an impressive 3.07 ERA over 85 innings in 2025, fits the bill.
Valdez is more than just an addition to the Dodgers’ pitching lineup. With his inclusion, he could add another dimension to their playoff drive, partnering with Yamamoto. Given Ohtani’s absence from pitching and the uncertainty surrounding Glasnow and Snell’s long-term availability, the Dodgers could be the most determined suitors as the deadline approaches.
In the meantime, the San Diego Padres, privately wrestling out an intense competition with the Dodgers for the NL West, are confronting similar issues in their pitching lineup. Adding a leading pro like Valdez could provide them with the push needed to not only make it to the playoffs, but also extend their stay in the postseason.
Two clubs that are just a game apart could potentially spark one of the sport’s most fierce rivalries into life again, with a potential trade deadline bidding war in the offing. The upshot of this hypothetical clash could possibly tilt the scale to deciding who walks away with the division title or qualifies for the wild card.
Adding another layer of complexity is the fact that the Astros themselves are still in the running, standing just 2.5 games behind the AL West lead. The Dodgers closely watching Houston’s performance, with plans to make their move should the Astros falter in the standings.
However, the situation could dramatically flip if Houston turns the tables with a robust push before the trade deadline, effectively pulling Valdez off the market. The Dodgers are poised and ready should the opportunity present itself, potentially shaking up the dynamics of the season further.