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Zach Pressnell is a Newsweek contributor based in Columbus, Ohio. His focus is MLB content. He has an extensive knowledge of professional baseball and all things that come with it after working closely with the sport for years. Zach has been with Newsweek since November 2024 and previously worked at FanSided and OnSI. He is a graduate of Bethany College (WV). You can get in touch with Zach by emailing z.pressnell@newsweek.com.
Contributing Sports Writer
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have all the talent in the world, but injuries have stopped them from running away with the No. 1 seed in the National League.
Because of that, it’s hard to look at the Dodgers as favorites for the World Series despite all the talent they have. The front office is going to need to make some moves before Thursday’s trade deadline.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter recently suggested the Dodgers could acquire pitchers Griffin Jax and Danny Coulombe in a trade that would send Alex Freeland, Patrick Copen, and Brendan Tunink to the Twins.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: Relief pitcher Griffin Jax #22 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates after striking out Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the last out of the seventh inning…
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: Relief pitcher Griffin Jax #22 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates after striking out Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the last out of the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on July 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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“Injuries to the starting rotation have put a heavy burden on the Dodgers’ relief corps,” Reuter wrote. “Their bullpen leads the majors with 465 innings pitched — a staggering 37.2 more innings than any other team — and reinforcements will be necessary at the trade deadline.
“Flame-throwing closer Jhoan Durán is the Twins’ best trade chip, but there’s a case to be made that a package of Jax (49 G, 21 HLD, 3.91 ERA, 14.1 K/9) and Coulombe (40 G, 8 HLD, 1.16 ERA, 9.0 K/9) would be more valuable to the Dodgers at a similar acquisition cost. Jax is controllable through 2027, while Coulombe would be a straight rental.”
This is the kind of deal that would boost the Dodgers back to the top of the NL. Both Jax and Coulombe have been lights out for the Twins this season, and they’d slot in perfectly at the backend of the Dodgers’ bullpen.
If Los Angeles could land a deal like this, it would have the best bullpen in baseball, especially if a few injured players can return healthy.
Unfortunately for the Dodgers, this trade package wouldn’t be enough. They’d have to throw in another highly ranked prospect in order to grab both star relievers from Minnesota.
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