Dodgers Already Being Mentioned as Most Likely Landing Spot for All-Star Pitcher Joe Ryan

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a problem that most teams would envy: they are too good, even when they are broken. As the calendar flips toward June, the National League’s premier franchise is already being mentioned as the most likely landing spot for an All-Star caliber starter. Despite a rash of early-season injuries that would have derailed a lesser club, the Dodgers continue to dominate the standings. Now, the baseball world is buzzing with speculation that Los Angeles will use its deep prospect pool to strike again at the trade deadline.

According to The Sporting News, the Dodgers are the clear frontrunners to acquire a top-tier arm before the July 31 deadline. While names like Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers have been floated in fan circles, the more realistic—and perhaps more impactful—target is Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins. With a 3.72 ERA and a track record of consistency, Ryan represents the kind of high-floor, high-upside addition that could turn a very good Dodgers rotation into an historically great one.

The Dodgers’ Unfair Advantage: Depth Despite Injuries

Let’s be clear about something right now: the Los Angeles Dodgers are not desperate. They are not scrambling. They are simply greedy in the best possible way. The club has been decimated by injuries to key pitchers and position players through the first two months of the season, yet they still hold one of the best records in the National League. That alone is a terrifying thought for the rest of the senior circuit.

When you look at the Dodgers’ roster, the depth is almost unfair. They have plugged holes with unheralded rookies and castoffs, and those players have produced at a level that would make them starters on most other teams. But here is the key: the Dodgers are not content with being good. They want to be invincible. And that is why the front office, led by Andrew Friedman, is already being linked to another blockbuster move.

The reality is that Los Angeles is the best team in the National League by a rather wide margin, especially when projecting forward to October. Their blend of veteran leadership, young talent, and financial flexibility is unmatched. But as every championship team knows, you can never have enough starting pitching in the postseason. The Dodgers learned that lesson the hard way in recent years, and they are determined not to repeat it.

• Injured stars returning: The Dodgers are expected to get key players back from the IL, which will only deepen an already stacked lineup.
• Prospect capital: The farm system is overflowing with high-name prospects who can headline any trade package.
• Financial muscle: Los Angeles has the payroll flexibility to absorb a significant contract without blinking.

The combination of these factors makes the Dodgers the most dangerous buyer at the deadline. And according to multiple insiders, they are zeroing in on a specific target.

Why Joe Ryan Fits the Dodgers Better Than Tarik Skubal

When fans dream of trade deadline acquisitions, they often reach for the biggest star available. In this case, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers is a tantalizing name. The left-hander has ace-level stuff and the kind of electric arsenal that plays in October. But here is the cold, hard truth: Skubal is not going anywhere. The Tigers are building around him, and the asking price would be astronomical—likely requiring a package that would gut the Dodgers’ farm system.

That is where Joe Ryan enters the conversation. As Patrick McAvoy of SI recently wrote, “The Los Angeles Dodgers don’t really need any additions. They will be just fine with the roster as is as the club starts to get healthier. If the Dodgers make a splash, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them go out and add another starter simply to have even more depth. Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers would be a fun name to throw out for Los Angeles, but that just doesn’t seem likely at all. It’s much more likely the Minnesota Twins flip Ryan. He has a 3.72 ERA and would give the Dodgers more ammo.”

McAvoy’s analysis cuts to the heart of the matter. The Dodgers do not need a savior; they need a force multiplier. Ryan is exactly that. He is a controlled, reliable starter who can slot into the middle of the rotation and provide quality innings. His 3.72 ERA is solid, but his underlying metrics—including a strong strikeout rate and excellent command—suggest he could thrive even more with the Dodgers’ elite defense and run support.

Here is why Ryan is the perfect target:

• Cost certainty: Ryan is under team control beyond this season, making him more than a rental.
• Proven in big moments: He has pitched in postseason pressure with the Twins and has not flinched.
• Complementary skill set: His fastball-heavy approach plays well in a rotation that already features elite breaking balls.
• Trade market reality: The Twins are in a weird spot—good enough to compete, but not great enough to justify keeping Ryan if the return is strong.

The Dodgers have the prospect capital to get this done without blinking. Names like Dalton Rushing, Gavin Stone, or Nick Nastrini could headline a package that would immediately intrigue the Minnesota front office. For a Twins team that is perpetually straddling the line between contention and rebuild, flipping Ryan for a haul of young talent makes all the sense in the world.

What a Ryan Acquisition Does to the Dodgers’ Postseason Outlook

Let’s paint the picture of the Dodgers’ rotation if they land Joe Ryan. You would have Walker Buehler (assuming health), Bobby Miller, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and then Ryan. That is not just a deep rotation; that is a nightmare for opposing lineups in a seven-game series. Suddenly, the Dodgers would have the luxury of deploying a Game 4 starter who would be a Game 1 or Game 2 ace on most other playoff teams.

The ripple effects go beyond just the starting five. Adding Ryan would allow the Dodgers to use their bullpen more strategically. They could shorten games even further, knowing that every starter can go deep into contests. In the postseason, where every out is magnified, having that kind of depth is the difference between a division series exit and a World Series parade.

Moreover, the move sends a message to the rest of the National League: the Dodgers are not just winning now; they are building a dynasty. The Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Arizona Diamondbacks all have to watch this trade market unfold with a sense of dread. If Los Angeles adds a pitcher of Ryan’s caliber, the gap between the Dodgers and the field widens even further.

Critics will say that the Dodgers are being greedy. But in a sport where championships are the only currency that matters, there is no such thing as too much pitching. The 2023 season proved that depth is everything. The Dodgers saw their rotation decimated in the postseason, and they are not going to let that happen again. Acquiring Ryan is an insurance policy against injury, regression, and the randomness of October baseball.

The Verdict: Expect a Deal Before the Deadline

If you are a Dodgers fan, start getting comfortable with the idea of Joe Ryan in Dodger Blue. The whispers are growing louder, and the logic is undeniable. The Twins are likely to sell high on a pitcher who has value but may never be the ace of a staff. The Dodgers have the prospects, the need, and the willingness to pull the trigger.

As for Tarik Skubal? Keep dreaming. The Tigers are not moving him unless someone offers a package that includes multiple top-100 prospects and a major league ready player. That is not the Dodgers’ style. They prefer to make smart, calculated moves that maximize value without sacrificing the future. Joe Ryan is that move.

The Sporting News has already positioned the Dodgers as the most likely landing spot, and all signs point to a deal coming together in the weeks leading up to July 31. The Dodgers are already the best team in the National League by a wide margin. Adding an All-Star caliber arm like Joe Ryan would not just make them favorites to win the pennant; it would make them one of the most complete teams in recent memory.

So, keep your eyes on Minnesota. Keep your eyes on Joe Ryan. And most of all, keep your eyes on the Dodgers. They are not done yet. They are just getting started.

Final Prediction: The Dodgers trade for Joe Ryan before the deadline, sending a package centered around a top prospect and a young arm to the Twins. Ryan immediately slots into the rotation, posting a sub-3.50 ERA down the stretch, and becomes a key piece in the Dodgers’ run to the World Series.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.