Starting pitching continues to be a high-demand asset as the MLB trade deadline approaches, and few teams are feeling that need more acutely than the Los Angeles Dodgers. With both Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow sidelined due to shoulder inflammation and no clear timetable for their return, the Dodgers are once again staring down a familiar challenge: navigating injuries while chasing a World Series.
Despite those setbacks, Los Angeles remains atop the National League West, thanks in part to their depth and offensive production. But to solidify their championship hopes, one name has emerged as a potential trade deadline difference-maker: Pablo López.
Los Angeles Dodgers Urged To Trade For Pablo Lopez
FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray believes the Dodgers should go “all-in” on acquiring the Minnesota Twins’ ace, citing López’s track record and elite performance this season. Through six starts in 2025, López has posted a 2.18 ERA, 190 ERA+, 2.08 FIP, 0.939 WHIP, and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings, making him one of the most effective pitchers in the game.
“The 29-year-old López is among the best pitchers in baseball,” Murray wrote. “He’s posted a 3.86 ERA in eight seasons in the Majors and has started 32 games in each of the last three seasons, so he’s plenty durable for a contending team.”
López was an All-Star in 2023 and is under team control through 2027, owed $65.25 million over the life of his contract—an appealing setup for a team like the Dodgers, who have the financial flexibility and the prospect capital to make a major move.
While other notable names such as Sandy Alcantara, Sonny Gray, Erick Fedde, and Andrew Heaney may be floated in trade rumors, López’s combination of current dominance, past durability, and contract status makes him a particularly attractive fit in Los Angeles.
The Twins, sitting fourth in the AL Central at 17-20, may look to pivot toward the future if their record doesn’t improve by July. In that case, López would be among the top arms on the market—and for a team like the Dodgers, that could mean another aggressive push to shore up their rotation and boost their title odds.