The Los Angeles Dodgers have so many starting pitching options that it’s easy to forget some of them are still around.

Dustin May is a perfect example. He’s got a 3.10 career ERA in 46 appearances, and if he’d stayed healthy, he probably would be a fixture of the Dodgers’ rotation by now. Unfortunately, he’s only been able to pitch 191 2/3 big-league innings since the start of 2019.

May, 27, missed the entire 2024 season, and doesn’t project to be one of the Dodgers’ six starters in the 2025 rotation. Does that mean LA should instead consider trading him in this, his last year of team control?

Jim Riley of Ballcap Sports believes May can still be a valuable trade chip for the Dodgers. Riley recently proposed a deal that would see LA shipping May and minor-league third baseman Jake Gelof to the St. Louis Cardinals

“We have to throw Jake Gelof in there because May for Helsley alone doesn’t get the job done,” Riley said. “May has one year left with the Dodgers and does not have a clear spot in the rotation; with the Cardinals, that’s where he would be–in the rotation.”

“This Dodgers bullpen goes to a ridiculous level with Ryan Helsley.”

Helsley, too, has one year of team control remaining before free agency. But instead of scrapping for a spot in the Dodgers rotation, he’d instantly take over as their closer, following a season where he led the National League with 49 saves.

If the Cardinals are willing to take a May-Gelof package for Helsley, the Dodgers shouldn’t hesitate to push the deal through.

It’s tough to imagine why St. Louis would rather have May than another pitcher with lots more team control, though. They aren’t likely going to win much next season, so why pick up someone they’ll immediately lose as soon as that season ends?