Dodgers Eye Jose Berrios as Buy-Low Rotation Upgrade

The Los Angeles Dodgers are known for capitalizing on market inefficiencies, particularly when a front-line starting pitcher becomes available at a discounted price. Jose Berrios, coming off a challenging finish to 2025, fits that profile, offering potential upside in a more stable pitching environment.

Toronto’s recent rotation moves, including the addition of an established starter like Ponce, signal a willingness to reset their rotation and create the conditions for a possible Berrios trade. For the Dodgers, this represents the type of distressed asset acquisition that has historically paid dividends.

Berrios brings a deep pitch mix, strike-throwing ability, and proven durability when healthy, traits that align with Los Angeles’ philosophy of stacking reliable, mid-rotation starters capable of contributing in the postseason. Despite late-season struggles and minor injuries, he remains a valuable asset for a team expecting to compete in October.

Acquiring Berrios would give the Dodgers added rotation depth and flexibility, allowing them to absorb potential injuries while maintaining a strong postseason staff. At the same time, Toronto could benefit by clearing a rotation logjam and redirecting payroll toward controllable talent aligned with their competitive timeline.

1. Dodgers’ Buy-Low Strategy

The Dodgers’ front office excels at identifying pitchers with underlying talent who need a reset, and Berrios fits this mold. His struggles and health questions lower his market value, creating an opportunity for Los Angeles to acquire a proven starter without sacrificing top-tier assets. Historically, the Dodgers have maximized pitchers who possess the tools to succeed but have experienced temporary dips in performance. Berrios’ strikeout ability and pitch mix give the organization confidence that a change of scenery and steady handling could restore his effectiveness. From a roster perspective, Berrios provides mid-rotation stability with upside, allowing the Dodgers to mitigate the risk of injury or inconsistency elsewhere in their rotation. He also adds depth for October, a crucial factor in a team that routinely targets deep postseason runs. By targeting a buy-low candidate rather than paying full value for a top-tier arm, Los Angeles adheres to its long-standing model of aggressive but calculated roster management, balancing immediate competitiveness with asset preservation.

2. Toronto’s Opportunity to Reset

For the Blue Jays, the timing is favorable to consider a trade. Adding Ponce to the rotation creates flexibility to move Berrios, allowing Toronto to reallocate resources, reduce congestion, and acquire controllable talent for future seasons. Berrios still carries value as a proven starter, but health concerns and a late-season performance dip temper expectations. This creates the framework for a trade that is substantial yet reasonable, rather than demanding an elite prospect haul. A plausible scenario involves the Dodgers offering a mix of rotation-ready talent and upside prospects, such as Gavin Stone and Jackson Ferris, in exchange for Berrios. Stone would provide Toronto with short-term innings, while Ferris could develop into a long-term asset, balancing immediate and future value. This type of trade exemplifies a mutually beneficial approach: Toronto gains a chance to rebuild around controllable pitching assets, and the Dodgers acquire a tested starter capable of making an immediate impact in the playoff rotation without jeopardizing their core.

3. Balanced Trade Outlook

A Berrios trade would align with both teams’ strategic goals. Los Angeles secures a proven pitcher with upside for its postseason ambitions, while Toronto reshapes its rotation and adds cost-controlled talent. The proposed structure reflects the Dodgers’ preference for calculated aggression: acquiring talent that can contribute immediately while maintaining organizational depth. It also allows Toronto to take a measured approach to roster construction, replacing one starter with pieces that provide both present and future value. Neither team would be overextended, and both could feel confident in the fairness of the deal. For Los Angeles, this represents a classic opportunity to extract value from a temporarily undervalued asset, while Toronto gains flexibility to align its rotation with long-term competitive objectives. Berrios’ potential move underscores the type of high-reward, low-risk maneuvers that define the Dodgers’ approach to roster management in the modern MLB landscape.