Dodgers’ Surprising Missed Trade Deal Shocks MLB Community

The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their MLB World Series win, are under the microscope after a surprisingly quiet trade deadline during the 2025 season. Everyone expected some big moves to patch up their injury-riddled roster, but the Dodgers mostly stuck to minor tweaks.

Fans and analysts are left scratching their heads about what the front office is thinking. The Dodgers tried to land Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, but that deal never materialized. Could that decision haunt them for the rest of the year? Maybe. Let’s dig into what happened and what this all means for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers’ Quiet Deadline Moves

Instead of making a splash, the Dodgers kept things pretty low-key at the deadline. Their biggest get? Brock Stewart from the Minnesota Twins, who’ll add some depth to the bullpen.

Bullpen depth matters, sure, but a lot of people thought they needed something bigger to cover for all the challenges-with-injured-pitchers-this-season/”>injuries and shaky play.

The Missed Opportunity with Steven Kwan

One of the juiciest rumors was the Dodgers’ chase for Steven Kwan. He seemed like a perfect fit in left field, especially with Michael Conforto struggling so much.

Kwan’s bat and glove would’ve given the lineup a serious boost. Bob Nightengale reported that the Dodgers really pushed for him, but the talks fizzled out. An anonymous MLB GM even said, “Everyone in baseball thought they were getting Kwan.”

With Kwan off the table, the Dodgers turned to Washington Nationals outfielder Alex Call as a fallback. Call’s fine, but let’s be real—he’s not Steven Kwan. That move probably won’t move the needle much.

Challenges Facing the Reigning Champs

The Dodgers started 2025 with sky-high expectations after a busy offseason. But injuries, especially to pitchers like Blake Snell, have thrown a wrench into things.

Snell finally got back on the mound, but his return was rough—he gave up two home runs and the Dodgers lost to the Tampa Bay Rays. That stings.

Fans are frustrated. The pitching staff keeps getting hit with setbacks, which is the last thing you want heading into the postseason.

Offensively, guys like Conforto haven’t stepped up, either. It’s put a lot more heat on the front office to fix things, but with such a muted trade deadline, it’s hard to see a quick fix coming.

• Improving Health: If Blake Snell can get back to his best and the injured stars return, the Dodgers might still turn it around.
• Offensive Spark: They really need Conforto and the other bats to wake up and help out Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
• Leadership Experience: This team’s been through the wringer before. Maybe their experience can carry them, even if the roster isn’t perfect.

Final Verdict: Risky Strategy or Calculated Bet?

The Dodgers’ quiet trade deadline leaves more questions than answers. They didn’t land Steven Kwan, and that feels like a missed shot to boost their lineup for another postseason run.

Still, the front office seems to trust their current roster. Maybe they believe this group can bounce back from adversity and find its groove.

As October creeps closer, the Dodgers have something to prove. Was their cautious approach just hesitation, or a real show of confidence in what they already have?

 
Here is the source article for this story: MLB rumors: The failed trade ‘everyone’ in MLB thought Dodgers would make