For weeks, the noise around a pitcher’s supposed “reluctance” was growing louder. The storyline painted a picture of friction — Dustin May resisting a role change, and the management finally moving on. However, when the star at the center of the storm finally spoke up, it was anything but bitter.

“It was not like, a thing like, I’m not going to do this… I’m going to do the job that I’m asked to do,” Dustin May said on NESN and set the tone for a surprisingly respectful breakup.

Such clarity was vital. As the ex-Dodgers star said, he was not shutting down the thought of becoming a reliever—he was simply honest about wanting to start again. What came after was not drama, but dialogue. “We had conversations… if it works for both sides, we’re open to it,” Dustin May said and confirmed a mutual understanding behind the scenes. The Dodgers, to their credit, did not twist arms. The team listened, respected May’s wishes, and made a move that worked for all, specifically, given their rotation depth post-Blake Snell’s return.

Still, not everyone saw it that way. ESPN’s David Schoenfield handed the Dodgers a harsh “C+” grade for this trade, arguing the team gave up a two-time World Series champion for a return that lacked sizzle. Dustin May was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for James Tibbs III, who was the Red Sox’s No. 5 prospect, and Zach Erhard — elite stars, but hardly the headline-makers fans were thinking of getting. Critics questioned the timing, considering Dustin May’s ERA had climbed to 4.85 and the star’s health remained a lingering issue.

However, this is where the story regains its heartbeat, because Dustin May never threw anyone under the bus. The star acknowledged his current struggles, understood the Dodgers’ direction, and remained focused on leaving a good impression. “I don’t want to put a bad face out at all… I want to put my best foot forward in every situation,” May said. Such an attitude could not show up in a stat column, but it sure says some related to the kind of professional May is, and that is what the Dodgers valued most as the team closed this chapter.

While Dustin May’s departure attracted the spotlight, it was just one star of a larger and analyzed deadline puzzle the Dodgers were quietly assembling.

Dodgers embrace strategic depth over splashy headlines at deadline.

In a year when the Mets, Padres, and Phillies went shopping like it was Black Friday, the Dodgers walked into the trade deadline with a very distinctive cart. No blockbuster stars and no headline-grabbing moves. Instead, Andrew Friedman opted for something quieter, however, no less deliberate. By executing a three-team deal with the Rays and Reds, the Dodgers landed a trio of intriguing depth stars: lefty Adam Serwinowski, Paul Gervase, and catcher Ben Rortvedt, all in exchange for backup catcher Hunter Feduccia. Not flashy, however, definitely forward-thinking.

This is exactly why MLB insider Jim Bowden, who dubbed Friedman “the most creative executive” of the deadline. Jim Bowden’s praise was not related to names; it was related to nuance. The Dodgers did not try to force their way into contention through vital splashes—the team reinforced future flexibility without overpaying. It is clear Dustin May’s trade was part of this overarching approach: trim around the edges, unlock value, and prepare for the short and long haul. When the dust settled, the Dodgers could not have “won” the headlines; however, the team very well could have won the logic game.

Dustin May’s honest reflections and the Dodgers’ moves paint a picture of mutual respect and a long-term approach instead of drama. While some fans could have questioned the value of the trade, the Dodgers played the long game, and Dustin May, now with a fresh beginning, looks more than ready to prove his worth.

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