Insider: Dodgers’ Not Interested in $260 Million Star Despite Muncy’s Struggles

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the best teams in the MLB, but it appears they aren’t looking at upgrading their roster right now.

Los Angeles’ starting third baseman is Max Muncy, and he was expected to be a key part of the offense. However, he has struggled to produce this season. But MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today says his job is good for now, as the Dodgers aren’t pursuing St. Louis Cardinals‘ Nolan Arenado to replace him.

“Meanwhile, they still are trying to trade All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado. The Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to express interest while still hoping that third baseman Max Muncy escapes his early-season struggles,” Nightengale wrote.

The Cardinals have been looking to trade Arenado, who has this season and two more years on his eight-year, $260 million deal. Although Arenado would be a big upgrade over Muncy, Nightengale says the Dodgers aren’t interested in him. Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove Award Winner, and five-time Silver Slugger Award Winner.

Muncy, meanwhile, is making $14.5 million this season and has a club option for $10 million in 2026. Muncy is hitting .188 with 1 home run and 7 RBIs this season as he has struggled to produce offensively.

Dodgers’ Manager Surprised by Muncy’s Struggles

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts admits he’s surprised by Muncy’s struggles.

Roberts thought Muncy would be a key part of the Dodgers’ offense, but that hasn’t been the case to begin 2025. When asked about Muncy’s struggles, Roberts said he was surprised but is hopeful he will turn it around.

“You know what’s interesting is there are some balls barreled that aren’t going out, but also there’s still a lot of swing and miss,” Roberts said. “So it just, it’s all sort of, right now, pretty puzzling, but I know he’s trying to find his way out. “But yeah, I mean, to think through April he hasn’t hit a homer, I think that surprises everyone.”

Muncy is still hitting fifth in the Dodgers’ lineup despite his struggles. In his career, he’s a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion.

Muncy Says His 1st Home Run of Season Was Emotional

Muncy began the season slowly and didn’t hit his first home run of the season on April 30.

It was a shocking start to the season, and after he hit the home run, Muncy got emotional as he said the start has been difficult for him.

“Playing in L.A. is not easy, but it’s a privilege, and it’s a privilege to play under this pressure,” Muncy said. “And it’s something I’ve always thrived on. But it doesn’t mean it’s been easy, for me or my family. It’s been a rough month…

“It was huge for me,” Muncy said. “Almost a little emotional, but this clubhouse is very tight, very close. Everyone cares about each other in here. We all just want to win. And for us to win, everyone needs to be clicking. That’s something this whole clubhouse buys into.”

If the Dodgers are going to repeat as World Series champions, Muncy will have to be a big part of the offense, and he knows he needs to get his bat going.

Raisel Iglesias finally shows signs of life in Braves’ momentum building win

Raisel Iglesias’ 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves got off to a very rocky start. In what is his 11th big league season, Iglesias has surrendered more home runs than he did all of last season. He entered last nights save situation against the Dodgers with a 5.25 ERA and 6.97 FIP for the 2025 season which is not what you want to see from your closer.

It had been just 12 innings of work, but the results have been particularly concerning because of all the hard contact Iglesias has surrendered. On top of that Iglesias’ strikeout rate isn’t what it once was. At 35 years-old, there are legitimate worries of decline for Iglesias.

Earlier this season, he blew a save in Los Angeles before giving up a walk-off homer to Shohei Ohtani. Last night against those very same Dodgers, fans at Truist Park held their collective breath that tonight’s save situation wouldn’t have the same fate. Iglesias made it interesting, but he eventually got the job done and may have turned his season around in the process.

Iglesias may have turned his and the Braves season around last night

It was a one-run game when Raisel entered the ninth inning looking to end the Braves three game skid. The baseball gods seemed to be laughing at Braves fans when the inning begun with a 77 mph infield single off of Ozzie Albies’ glove. Pinch runner Hyeseong Kim immediately stole second base to get in scoring position before Iglesias recorded an out.

What ensued next were some of the best executed pitches of the season for Raisel. He begun his bounceback by striking out catcher Will Smith on a sinker running in on him. Unfortunately, Kim moved up to third on the dropped third strike. Next up was Miguel Rojas, who had already homered earlier in the game. Iggy got Rojas on three beautifully located changeups.

Austin Barnes stepped up with Ohtani lurking in the on-deck circle. With the game-tying run 90 feet away Iggy fired three straight fastball to get ahead in the count before polishing off the save with a filthy slider off the plate that Barnes chased.

It was a moment that could be looked back on as a turning point in both Atlanta’s and Iglesias’ season. The rotation and offense have mostly rebounded from their rough start to the season. If Iglesias and bullpen can follow suit, the Braves may be humming before we know it. Buckling down in a game they were in control of from the first inning against the powerhouse Dodgers is no small feat for the Braves. Hopefully, it’s a win that leads to some big time momentum for both Raisel Iglesias and the Atlanta Braves.