Just when Dodgers fans were buzzing with anticipation over potential big-name arrivals, the team threw a curveball. Instead of making headlines for a blockbuster signing, the front office shocked everyone by parting ways with one of their own, Dustin May. Yes, the hard-throwing right-hander is reportedly headed to the Red Sox. The deal went down just ahead of Thursday’s Trade Deadline, marking one of the more unexpected moves of the Dodgers’ season.

But here’s the twist: this move might actually work in the Dodgers’ favor.

With this surprising deadline shuffle, the Dodgers managed to address one of their most pressing needs. They reinforced the outfield by flipping May for not one, but two promising prospects. For a team that has struggled with outfield depth throughout the year, this trade feels like a calculated move rather than a loss. But now, with the postseason race heating up, the question is whether this bold move will prove to be a turning point for the Dodgers. Or a gamble.

The official account of the Boston Red Sox first broke the news on X, writing: “The RedSox today acquired RHP Dustin May from the Los Angeles Dodgers, in exchange for minor league OF James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard.“

The Red Sox were linked to a bunch of the big-name starting pitchers out there. Guys like Joe Ryan, Merrill Kelly, Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Mitch Keller, and Dylan Cease were rumored to be pursued by the Red Sox. But eventually, Boston landed someone who wasn’t really popping up in the rumors. May is 27, making $2.135 million this year, and will hit free agency when the season wraps up. But what are the Red Sox planning with a rental player by giving up two of their prospects?

“In Dustin May, we feel like we’ve got a tried and true and battle-tested starting pitcher coming from an organization that’s had a ton of postseason success. And somebody who can step into our rotation and add to our pitching group,” said Craig Breslow, the president of Baseball Operations.

May is carrying a 4.85 ERA and has already thrown 104 innings, surpassing his previous career high of 56 innings, set back in 2020. Now, we will have to wait and watch how he performs as a starter with the Red Sox.

The Dodgers’ outfield, meanwhile, needed some help with Michael Conforto and James Outman struggling. For the unversed, Conforto ranks 13th out of 16 qualified left fielders in defensive runs saved (-3) and 14th in outs above average (-5). And Outman, who the team hoped would build off his strong 2023, is hitting just .103.

That’s where the Red Sox prospects come in. James Tibbs III, Boston’s first-round pick in the 2024 Draft, is batting .207 with a .586 OPS in 30 games. And Zach Ehrhard is hitting .227 with a .717 OPS and has swiped 16 bases in 58 games.

So, how did the trade deadline turn out to be for the Dodgers?

The Dodgers made quick moves in the last minute of the deadline

Heading into Thursday’s Trade Deadline, the Dodgers had two big needs: bullpen help and outfield depth. And they checked both boxes. Notably, they pulled off three trades on Deadline day, picking up righty reliever Brock Stewart from the Twins and outfielder Alex Call from the Nationals and shipping Dustin May to the Red Sox.

Moreover, they were also involved in a three-team deal with the Rays and Reds. This included sending catcher Hunter Feduccia to Tampa Bay and bringing in catcher Ben Rortvedt, alongside right-hander Paul Gervase and lefty Adam Serwinowski. So yeah, it was a busy day for the Dodgers!

Amid all the pitching injuries and inconsistency, the Dodgers decided to bring back a familiar face in Brock Stewart. He was originally drafted by L.A. in the sixth round back in 2014.

Currently, Stewart is in the middle of one of the best stretches of his career, posting a 2.38 ERA over 39 outings with 41 SO. And he has come to the Dodgers just when they are struggling with a blown-up starting rotation.

Then there’s Alex Call, who’s hitting .274 with a .756 OPS and only 36 SO in 237 plate appearances. Reportedly, the Dodgers are hoping he can add some consistency to the lineup that’s been streaky lately, with a 10-14 skid over the past month.

Yes, there were no big-ticket names involved, but when they’re topping the division already, all that the Dodgers needed was to fill the gaps, and that’s what they did!