Dodgers' World Series show splurging at MLB trade deadline isn't mandatory

Knowing the Los Angeles Dodgers and their free-spending ways, it’s inevitable they’ll acquire pitcher Tarik Skubal or another high-priced player before the Aug. 3 trade deadline and maximize their chances to win a third straight World Series title.

Their willingness to pay top dollar for free agents is indisputable. Start with Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year contract. Or the $240 million, four-year deal Kyle Tucker got before this season. Six other players on the roster signed deals worth more than $100 million.

But do the Dodgers go all out at the trade deadline?

Of the eight highest paid players on the current roster, none were acquired at the MLB trade deadline. In fact, their past two were awfully quiet: yet Los Angeles still won the World Series in 2024 and 2025.

2024: Edman ends up playoff hero

For the Dodgers in 2024, there was no obvious splash at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles added pitchers Jack Flaherty and Michael Kopech, along with utility player Tommy Edman and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier.

The Dodgers were 63-46 (.578) before the trade deadline and 35-18 (.660) after the deadline. Flaherty and Kopech strengthened the Dodgers’ pitching in the regular season, going a combined 10-2, with Kopech taking on a high-leverage role in relief.

But Edman wound up the postseason hero. He won the National League Championship Series MVP, batting .407 with 11 hits, one home run, 11 RBIs, and five runs in six games against the New York Mets and the Dodgers won the series four games to two.

In the World Series, the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games. Kopech made 12 postseason appearances and Flaherty started five games in the playoff run.

2025: Depth at the deadline

For the Dodgers in 2025, the club generated even less buzz at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles picked up three minor leaguers (pitcher Adam Serwinowski along with outfielders Zach Ehrhard and James Tibbs III), outfielder Alex Call, pitchers Paul Gervase and Brock Stewart and catcher Ben Rortvedt.

The Dodgers went 63-46 (.578) before the deadline and 30-23 (.566) after the deadline.

There was no Tommy Edman among this group. But the depth proved vital for the Dodgers with Rortvedt starting four playoff games as Smith dealt with injury, while Call made three starts in the outfield.

The Dodgers went on to win the World Series, prevailing over the Toronto Blue Jays with a heart-stopping fashion, extra-inning victory in Game 7.

How Dodgers do business

The Dodgers have made significant upgrades with the trade deadline over the past decade. The acquisitions included pitcher Yu Darvish in 2017, when he was a four-time All-Star; shortstop Manny Machado in 2018, when he was a four-time All-Star; pitcher Max Sherzer in 2021, when he a seven-time All-Star; and shortstop Trea Turner in 2021, who won the NL batting title that year.

But none of those additions led to World Series rings, and the Dodgers have assembled their most fruitful rosters through other methods.

The Dodgers used free agency to sign first baseman Freddie Freeman, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, pitcher Blake Snell, Ohtani (designated hitter/pitcher) and Tucker, the outfielder.

Though winter trades, the Dodgers acquired shortstop Mookie Betts and pitcher Tyler Glasnow.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers' World Series show splurging at MLB trade deadline isn't mandatory

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