Dodgers News: J.P. Howell Exercises Player Option, Will Return in 2016
Heading into this offseason, aside from bringing Zack Greinke or a replacement in and hiring a manager, the bullpen has to be a major priority for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
So, news that one of the most consistent arms in the bullpen is returning before hitting free agency is obviously welcomed. ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting J.P. Howell is sticking around for next season.
Reliever J.P. Howell is exercising his 2016 player option with the Dodgers, for $6.25 million.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 5, 2015
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Most anticipated he would see what the open market might bring him having been such a reliable arm for most of 2015. Given the number of questions swirling around the organization at this point in time, though, we’ll take any good news we can come by.
Howell may never dominate the way you’d like to see from a major cog in the bullpen, but he has become a fixture out there. That he’s sticking around without even testing the market speaks to loyalty and the anxiousness to get focused on 2016 as soon as possible.
Welcome back, J.P.!
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