The Los Angeles Dodgers watched their bullpen reinforcement plans crumble Wednesday night. Two of their primary trade targets slipped away to NL East rivals, leaving the reigning World Champions scrambling to shore up their pitching depth before the deadline.
Why Did the Dodgers Miss Out on Jhoan Duran and Ryan Helsley?
The Philadelphia Phillies struck first, acquiring Minnesota Twins star reliever Jhoan Duran in a deal that caught many around the league off guard. The Dodgers had been tracking Duran closely since early July, making multiple inquiries about the hard-throwing right-hander. However, their interest couldn’t match Philadelphia’s aggressive pursuit.
The blow became even more painful when the New York Mets swooped in to acquire St. Louis Cardinals All-Star closer Ryan Helsley. Within hours, Los Angeles had lost both of their top bullpen targets to division rivals who are building for October runs of their own.
FULL TRADE:
Phillies get: RHP Jhoan Duran
Twins get: C Eduardo Tait (No. 4 prospect for PHI), RHP Mick Abel (No. 6 prospect)Do you wish the Dodgers beat this offer for Duran?https://t.co/8nCFm0QMhc
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 30, 2025
The Phillies’ successful bid included catcher Eduardo Tait, their fourth-ranked prospect, and right-handed pitcher Mick Abel, ranked sixth in their system. Philadelphia’s willingness to part with two top-10 prospects demonstrated its commitment to upgrading its bullpen for the playoff push.
Meanwhile, the Mets saw an opportunity to add another elite arm to a relief corps already anchored by All-Star closer Edwin Diaz. Helsley’s acquisition gives New York a formidable late-inning combination that could prove crucial in the tight NL East race.
How Did the Dodgers Respond to Missing Their Top Targets?
Rather than panic, Los Angeles pivoted to a different strategy. The Dodgers orchestrated a three-team trade involving the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds, focusing on depth rather than headline-grabbing acquisitions.
In the complex deal, Los Angeles sent third-string catcher Hunter Feduccia to Tampa Bay while acquiring three players who could contribute to their organizational depth. The move brought in right-handed pitcher Paul Gervase, catcher Ben Rortvedt, and left-handed pitcher Adam Serwinowski.
The Dodgers’ three-team trade from their perspective.
In: RHP Paul Gervase (4.26 ERA in 6.1 MLB IP, 3.12 ERA in 40.1 AAA IP this year)
In: C Ben Rortvedt (career .540 OPS in MLB)
In: LHP Adam Serwinowski (4.84 ERA in High-A)Out: C Hunter Feduccia (.858 OPS in AAA this year)
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) July 31, 2025
The transaction allowed the Dodgers to add organizational depth without sacrificing any key contributors from their major league roster. Gervase, who has a 3.12 ERA in Triple-A this season, brings immediate pitching help, while Rortvedt provides catching insurance and Serwinowski adds a young left-handed arm to the system.
This approach reflects Los Angeles’ need to address its pitching struggles while maintaining flexibility for future moves.
The Dodgers have dealt with significant bullpen inconsistency throughout the 2024-25 campaign, making reliable middle relief a priority as they prepare for another championship defense. With the trade deadline approaching, the reigning World Champions still have time to pursue other bullpen options.
However, losing Duran and Helsley to NL East competitors means they must explore alternative paths to strengthen their pitching staff for October.
