Dodgers’ Blockbuster Trade Idea Because They Have Too Many Great Pitchers, Sending $5.4 Million All-Star to New York Yankees and Getting a Lesser Player in Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a problem most MLB teams would envy: they have too many great pitchers. After a historic offseason that bolstered an already stacked rotation, the Dodgers find themselves with more talent than they can fit into a five-man starting lineup. This surplus has sparked trade rumors, and one blockbuster idea stands out—sending their $5.4 million All-Star pitcher Tony Gonsolin to the New York Yankees in exchange for a lesser-known prospect, Everson Pereira. It’s a move that could reshape both teams’ futures, but is it worth it for the Dodgers to trade a proven star for an untested player? Let’s dive into the details of this proposed trade and what it means for MLB in 2025.

The Dodgers’ Pitching Embarrassment of Riches

The Dodgers’ rotation is a pitcher’s paradise. With names like Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani (once he returns to the mound), they’ve assembled a dream team of arms. Add in Clayton Kershaw’s veteran presence, Dustin May’s return from injury, and Roki Sasaki’s recent signing, and you’ve got a roster overflowing with talent. Then there’s Tony Gonsolin, a 2022 All-Star who posted a dazzling 2.14 ERA and a 16-1 record that year. At $5.4 million for 2025, he’s a bargain—but he’s also expendable in this crowded rotation.

Gonsolin’s 2024 season was a wash due to Tommy John surgery, and a back injury from offseason weightlifting has delayed his 2025 start. Still, his track record makes him a valuable asset. The Dodgers, however, don’t need him to win now. Their depth is so immense that even prospects like Bobby Miller and Justin Wrobleski are fighting for minor league spots. This surplus has fueled speculation that the Dodgers could offload a pitcher like Gonsolin to address other needs or clear roster space.

Why the Yankees Need Gonsolin

On the other side of the country, the New York Yankees are in desperate need of pitching help. Their ace, Gerrit Cole, is sidelined for the entire 2025 season after elbow surgery, and injuries to Luis Gil (lat strain) and Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue) have left their rotation thin. The Yankees made it to the World Series in 2024 but fell to the Dodgers in five games, exposing their need for a reliable starter to pair with newcomers like Max Fried. Enter Tony Gonsolin—a proven All-Star who could step in as a mid-rotation arm once he’s healthy.

Gonsolin’s $5.4 million salary is a steal for a pitcher of his caliber, especially for a big-market team like the Yankees. His injury history might delay his debut until mid-2025, but his upside is undeniable. In 2022, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball, and at 30 years old, he’s still in his prime. For a Yankees team aiming to reclaim AL East dominance and avenge their World Series loss, Gonsolin could be the missing piece.

The Trade Proposal: Gonsolin for Pereira

The proposed trade, floated by outlets like Dodgers Nation, would see Gonsolin head to the Bronx in exchange for Everson Pereira, a 23-year-old outfield prospect in the Yankees’ system, plus a minor pitching piece. Pereira, ranked among New York’s top prospects, posted an .859 OPS in 40 Triple-A games in 2024. He’s a toolsy player with power potential, but he’s far from a sure thing at the MLB level. Compared to Gonsolin’s established production, Pereira is a “lesser player” in terms of immediate impact—making this trade a calculated risk for the Dodgers.

For Los Angeles, Pereira could address a future need in center field, where Andy Pages has shown defensive struggles. With Mookie Betts shifting back to the infield and Teoscar Hernández’s free agency looming, the Dodgers might see Pereira as a long-term investment. However, trading a pitcher of Gonsolin’s caliber for an unproven prospect has raised eyebrows. Is this a case of the Dodgers overvaluing their depth, or a savvy move to reshape their roster?

The Dodgers’ Motivation: Why Trade a Star?

At first glance, trading Gonsolin seems counterintuitive. Why part with an All-Star when you’re chasing back-to-back titles? The answer lies in the Dodgers’ roster crunch. With only five rotation spots and a bullpen already packed with high-leverage arms like Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen, Gonsolin risks being relegated to a relief role or Triple-A limbo. For a team with a $300 million-plus payroll, that’s an inefficient use of resources.

Moreover, the Dodgers have a history of bold trades to optimize their roster. President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has never shied away from dealing surplus talent for future upside—think of the Max Scherzer/Trea Turner haul in 2021. Trading Gonsolin now, while his value remains high despite injuries, could net them a prospect like Pereira who fits their long-term vision. It’s a classic case of “selling high” on a player they don’t urgently need.

The Yankees’ Gamble: Betting on Gonsolin’s Health

For the Yankees, this trade is a gamble on Gonsolin’s recovery. His Tommy John surgery and recent back setback mean he won’t be ready for Opening Day, forcing New York to lean on stopgap options early in 2025. But if Gonsolin returns to his 2022 form, the Yankees could have a steal on their hands. Pairing him with Fried and a healthy Gil could give them a rotation to rival the Dodgers’—ironic, given the trade source.

The cost—Pereira and a throw-in pitcher—is steep for a prospect with Pereira’s ceiling, but the Yankees are in win-now mode. After falling short in 2024, GM Brian Cashman can’t afford another season of rotation woes. Gonsolin’s low salary also keeps New York under the luxury tax threshold, a priority for owner Hal Steinbrenner, who recently lamented the Dodgers’ spending spree.

Fan Reactions and MLB Implications

The trade idea has sparked heated debate among fans. Dodgers supporters on X argue that Gonsolin’s worth more than Pereira, with one writing, “Why trade an All-Star for a maybe? We’re stacked, but this feels like giving up too much.” Yankees fans, meanwhile, are split—some salivate at Gonsolin’s potential, while others balk at losing Pereira, a fan-favorite prospect.

If executed, this trade could shift the AL-NL balance. The Dodgers’ pitching depth would take a minor hit, but their offense and bullpen remain elite. The Yankees, meanwhile, could close the gap with the Dodgers, setting up a 2025 World Series rematch. It also underscores a growing MLB trend: superteams like the Dodgers leveraging their depth to reshape rosters mid-cycle.

Is It Worth It?

For the Dodgers, trading Gonsolin for Pereira is a bet on the future—a rare move for a team built to win now. They’d sacrifice a known quantity for a prospect who might not pan out, but their pitching surplus softens the blow. For the Yankees, it’s a chance to bolster a depleted rotation with a proven star, albeit one with injury risks. Both teams could benefit, but the Dodgers’ willingness to settle for a “lesser player” in return makes this a blockbuster worth watching.

As the 2025 season nears, all eyes are on LA and New York. Will this trade idea become reality, or will the Dodgers hold onto their pitching riches? One thing’s clear: in baseball’s arms race, no one does it quite like the Dodgers.