As the Los Angeles Dodgers limp toward Thursday’s MLB trade deadline, the team is now navigating a critical stretch in which both their shortcomings and ambitions are colliding — and they’re not alone. With the Yankees and Mets also eyeing the same prized outfield target, Harrison Bader, the Dodgers are squarely in a multi-team race to address their most glaring vulnerability.
A Rare Skid Demands Urgency
The Dodgers have already secured their first losing month since May 2013. Their offense, once among the league’s most feared, has sputtered into the bottom four in July in key categories like runs scored, batting average, and OPS. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged this downturn wasn’t on his radar just a few weeks ago.
“Relief pitching is always talked about, certainly with what we’re going through,” manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend. “But a potential bat is something [the front office] is kicking the tires on.”
And with the offense flatlining and defensive lapses in the outfield becoming routine, a trade deadline focused solely on pitching may no longer suffice.
Why Harrison Bader Fits
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The Dodgers’ interest in Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader, first reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale and confirmed by ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, comes at a moment of inflection for a club with championship expectations but increasing instability in the outfield.
Bader, 31, is having a resurgent season at the plate with a .255/.336/.441 slash line, 12 home runs, and a 118 wRC+ — all near or at career highs. His calling card, however, remains his glove. Ranking sixth in defensive runs saved among all outfielders, Bader is a true center fielder who could immediately stabilize one of the Dodgers’ weakest defensive areas.
Although he’s been playing mostly left field in Minnesota out of deference to Byron Buxton, scouts and front offices still view Bader as a center fielder — the spot the Dodgers most urgently need to upgrade.
Conforto’s Mixed Case
Michael Conforto’s bat has heated up in July (.276/.323/.517), offering the Dodgers a glimmer of hope that he’s finally turning a corner. But his defense remains a liability. Conforto ranks near the bottom in Outs Above Average among qualified left fielders, and his misplays in Boston last weekend were costly.
Despite public support from Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes earlier this summer, the team’s actions — including confirmed interest in Bader and Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan — suggest that patience with Conforto may be thinning.
“The first half [of the season] was not me,” Conforto admitted. “I just had to put my head down and keep grinding.”
Roberts has praised Conforto’s focus amid trade rumors: “For him to not let it affect his day-to-day, and continue to get better — that’s something for me that’s shown a lot.” Still, Roberts and Friedman have emphasized flexibility and adaptability in roster planning. Conforto may not be the odd man out, but he’s clearly no longer a sure thing.
Dodgers Face Bidding War
The Dodgers are hardly alone in their pursuit of Bader. Both the Yankees and Mets are reportedly in the mix, and both have compelling reasons to act. The Yankees have lost Aaron Judge to injury and are short on right-handed power. The Mets, hampered by injuries and inconsistency in center field, are said to be willing to deal from their infield depth to acquire help.
That means the Dodgers — already over the competitive balance tax threshold — must weigh Bader’s modest salary ($6.25 million with incentives) against a potential bidding war and limited remaining leverage.
Adding to the complexity, Bader is on an expiring deal with a mutual option for 2026 — one he’s unlikely to pick up — making him a pure rental. But given the Dodgers’ current urgency, that may not be a dealbreaker.
Brendan Donovan Also on Radar
Another name gaining traction in Los Angeles is Brendan Donovan, the Cardinals’ All-Star utility man. He’s slashing .288/.358/.421 with a 120 OPS+ this season and has played every position except catcher and pitcher since debuting in 2022.
The Dodgers highly value positional versatility, and Donovan would not only provide a viable left-handed bat but also the flexibility to move Tommy Edman to center if needed. That plan, however, hinges on Edman’s health — he’s managing a nagging ankle issue — and the Cardinals’ willingness to part with Donovan, who is under team control through 2027.
A Race Against the Clock — and the League
The Dodgers’ plans remain fluid, but one thing is clear: they’re actively trying to balance short-term needs with long-term roster value. As Bob Nightengale noted, “The Dodgers are looking to upgrade their outfield with Michael Conforto’s season-long struggles and have expressed interest in Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader and Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan.”
While the Dodgers may ultimately choose to stick with Conforto and bolster the bullpen instead, the availability of a player like Bader — whose blend of elite defense and timely offense could change October outcomes — is hard to ignore.
The next few days will test Friedman’s long-standing reputation for calculated aggression at the deadline. The Dodgers aren’t just shopping; they’re battling some of their biggest playoff rivals for the kind of addition that could tip the postseason scales.