Dodgers listed as possible trade fit for young Guardians hurler

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain one of the top teams in Major League Baseball. At 61-45, they have the third-best record in the National League.

They are prepared to be aggressive buyers this year at the trade deadline. They have some areas to shore up before the stretch run.

Their biggest need is bullpen help. Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates have both struggled since joining the team.

Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN listed Cleveland Guardians right-hander Cade Smith as one of the top available relievers. The Dodgers were listed as a top fit for him.

"Smith has been the best reliever in baseball by WAR since the beginning of the 2024 season, and with more than 13 strikeouts per nine innings this year, he is the solution to many teams' late-inning woes. With four more years of control, he's also going to be prohibitively expensive for most teams, making a deal difficult to come by."

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Smith is putting together a strong year in Cleveland. He is 2-3 with a 3.02 ERA in 46 appearances and has also recorded three saves.

With Emmanuel Clase now being investigated for sports betting and as a result losing all of his trade value, Smith is Cleveland's top bullpen trade chip. He made his Major League debut last season and helped guide Cleveland to the ALCS.

The Dodgers will have to cough up a significant amount of top prospects in order to make this potential deal work, but they have the capital to get it done. Smith could slot in at the back end of their bullpen.

Last year, Smith was 6-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 74 relief appearances. With several years of control, a deal might be unlikely.

However, the Dodgers are always aggressive at trade deadlines, so it would make sense to at least make an attempt to acquire him.

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