Dodgers Journeyman Reliever Elects Free Agency After Tough Season

If you’re looking for the definition of a nightmare season in a physical form, look no further than this right-handed reliever. The 2023 campaign for journeyman reliever Jake Reed was tough, to say the least. He’s not heading to the open market after electing free agency last week.

Reed re-joined the Dodgers in the offseason on a waiver claim after a tumultuous 2022-2023 winter that saw him change teams three times. He opened the season at Triple-A before he was a last minute call up to join the big league roster on a windy day in Chicago in late April. Pitching on no sleep thanks to some travel issues, the Cubs pounded Reed for 6 runs while he recorded just two outs.

He was optioned back to AAA where he put together the worst season of his minor league career. Reed also spent two separate months on the development list as he worked to get his career back on track.

Altogether, the 31-year-old posted a 7.34 ERA in 29 games in the minor leagues in 2023. But, with a few solid seasons in his recent past, he’s likely to pick back up on a minor league deal with a team this offseason.

Photo Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports