Dodgers Insider Expects LA to Lose Ryan Brasier This Offseason

The 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen was among the best in the Andrew Friedman era. The Dodgers bullpen had an era of 3.42 — the third-best in the league — with 44 saves, a 1.17 WHIP, and 664 strikeouts.

Unfortunately, as we all know, the other units on the team couldn’t do their job, resulting in an early exit in the postseason once again. It’s very frustrating, and with that being said, it’s hard to remember the good that happened throughout the season and in the three postseason games.

One of the many bright spots in the season, especially the second half of the season and postseason, was right-handed veteran reliever Ryan Brasier.

Brasier signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in early June and after an incredible outing with the Oklahoma City Dodgers, was brought up to the big league after just 15 days.

He was lights out for the Dodgers and is now a free agent. He can choose anywhere he wants, and we’ll see if LA will bring him back aboard. It depends on who you ask, and if you ask Dodgers insider for the Orange Country Register, J.P. Hoornstra — as our very own Doug McKain did — he doesn’t believe Brasier will return in Dodger blue next season.

“I think when you’re at that point in your career — roughly mid-30s — you get a multi-year offer, you take it. And I don’t know that the Dodgers are willing to extend themselves on a multi-year deal on Ryan Brasier, especially when you have the option on Joe Kelly who hasn’t been as healthy but basically fills the same role. … I think Brasier is going to have a multi-year offer [somewhere else] and I think when the Dodgers think about their priorities, with respect to Shohei Ohtani and the starting pitchers that they’re looking at, those guys take top priority.”

(per J.P. Hoornstra via Dodgers Nation YouTube)

The 36-year-old went above and beyond with the Boys in Blue, going 2-0 with an incredible 0.70 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and just 18 hits allowed and one homer in 39 games.

Brasier was a revelation for the Dodgers, but if Hoornstra is right, his time in LA may be over.

Like Hoornstra pointed out, you never know with relievers; they are very hit or miss from one season to the next. We’ll see how the front office approaches the relief position and how high they will or will not prioritize the right-hander among tons of other needs on this team.

Photo Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports