The Los Angeles Dodgers are running out of problems most teams would kill to have. Their starting rotation is overflowing with star power, depth, and championship credibility — and now, with right-hander River Ryan returning from Tommy John surgery, the options have only multiplied. But abundance creates its own pressure. And as the Dodgers prepare for a possible three-peat in 2026, one uncomfortable question is rising fast: is River Ryan part of the future, or the perfect trade piece?
Los Angeles is widely expected to deploy a six-man rotation in 2026, mirroring the approach that paid off late in the 2025 regular season. The projected group reads like a fantasy draft board: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Emmet Sheehan. On paper, it’s nearly untouchable. In reality, it leaves very little room for a pitcher like Ryan to break through.
That reality hasn’t gone unnoticed around the league.
“As someone with tantalizing potential, but a limited track record and the uncertainty that comes after Tommy John surgery, Ryan could be an interesting trade chip for the Dodgers,” MLB.com’s Sonja Chen wrote. “Or they could bet on the exciting young arm they saw in 2024 becoming a valuable part of their rotation in the foreseeable future.”
That sentence captures the dilemma perfectly. Ryan is both valuable and vulnerable — talented enough to attract interest, but unproven enough to be expendable.
Before the injury, Ryan looked like a revelation. In four starts during the 2024 season, he posted a dazzling 1.33 ERA across 20.1 innings, flashing command, composure, and swing-and-miss stuff that immediately turned heads. For a brief stretch, he didn’t just survive in the majors — he dominated. Then, in August 2024, everything stopped. An injury landed him on the injured list, and soon after, Tommy John surgery ended his 2025 season before it began.
Now, as he works his way back, the timing couldn’t be more complicated.
The Dodgers aren’t desperate for pitching. They’re desperate for balance. Specifically, offense from left field.
Last season, Los Angeles received minimal production from that spot, with Michael Conforto enduring the worst campaign of his career in Dodger blue. With Conforto now in free agency, the Dodgers are actively exploring upgrades — players who can contribute both offensively and defensively. And that’s where Ryan’s name enters trade conversations.
Two names continue to surface as potential targets: Cleveland Guardians standout Steven Kwan and Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. Both would address a glaring need. Both would require meaningful assets in return. And for teams looking to buy low-but-high-upside pitching, a post-surgery River Ryan could be intriguing.
Yet the Dodgers don’t have to rush.
There’s a real possibility that Ryan returns in 2026 looking exactly like the pitcher who stunned hitters in 2024 — or even better. Modern Tommy John recoveries have extended careers, not ended them, and the Dodgers’ medical and development infrastructure is among the best in baseball. Trading Ryan now could mean watching him blossom somewhere else.
Manager Dave Roberts hasn’t closed that door.
“I’m excited for River. I’m excited for Gavin,” Roberts said at the Winter Meetings. “Because to see your teammates celebrate and go through what we went through and not be able to participate — those are things that we’re all betting on for that extra hunger to kind of make their impact in 2026.”
That quote matters. It signals belief. It suggests patience. It hints that the Dodgers still see more than just trade value in Ryan — they see motivation, edge, and untapped upside.
Still, championship windows don’t wait. The Dodgers are chasing history, aiming to become the first team in decades to three-peat in the World Series. Every roster spot, every asset, every decision carries weight. Holding onto Ryan could strengthen depth and protect against inevitable injuries. Trading him could patch a weakness that cost them offensive consistency last season.
There is no wrong answer — only risk.
River Ryan stands at the center of that tension. Too talented to ignore. Too unproven to guarantee. Too valuable to sit quietly on the depth chart.
As Opening Day inches closer, the Dodgers will have to decide whether Ryan is part of the next chapter of their dynasty — or the price they pay to keep it alive.
Leave a Reply