Dodgers-Orioles trade pitch sends $28M former Reliever of the Year to LA to pair with Edwin Diaz originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have already reached 34 wins and are beginning to find their rhythm again. The biggest challenge for Los Angeles this season has been keeping its pitching staff healthy, as multiple starters and bullpen arms have dealt with injuries.

The Dodgers are aiming to win their third consecutive World Series, which still looks very possible. One of the first major losses in the bullpen this season was Edwin Díaz.

“Díaz is scheduled for surgery at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic on Wednesday to remove the loose bodies from his elbow. Díaz was placed on the injured list and Roberts was reluctant to speculate on a timetable for his return at this point,” MLB.com’s Owen Perkins wrote.

Los Angeles still possesses one of the best offenses in Major League Baseball, but that only goes so far if the pitching staff cannot stay healthy. With bullpen injuries continuing to pile up, a trade for Ryan Helsley of the Baltimore Orioles would make a lot of sense.

“The two-time defending World Series champions will be in read-and-react mode at this year’s deadline. If injuries strike any position in particular, they’ll make sure they stabilize. Pitching seems like a logical target here as well, but right now, the bullpen’s needs outweigh the rotation’s,” SI’s Jackson Roberts wrote.

Helsley is a two-time All-Star and former Reliever of the Year, proving his dominance out of the bullpen. However, he has been sidelined since early May because of elbow inflammation.

“The Baltimore Orioles put Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday because of right elbow inflammation and are optimistic their closer will not miss significant time,” ESPN wrote. “Albernaz said testing came back clean and Helsley is taking anti-inflammatory medication. Helsley is the 12th player to go on the injured list for the Orioles.”

Acquiring Helsley would be a major power move for the Dodgers. Pairing him with Díaz would give Los Angeles an elite late-inning duo once everyone is healthy. Meanwhile, Tanner Scott could handle seventh-inning duties, giving the Dodgers a terrifying three-headed bullpen monster.

Helsley is currently on a $28 million deal with Baltimore, but that is well within the Dodgers’ financial range. A bullpen featuring Díaz and Helsley would be nightmarish for opposing hitters, as both relievers can overwhelm teams with elite velocity and dominant fastballs.

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