Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Questions Surround Dodgers 2014 Bullpen Situation

Fernando_Rodney_1The Los Angeles Dodgers leave the Winter Meetings without making any significant moves but still have plans on addressing the bullpen.

Brian Wilson was re-signed recently and have been in talks with left-hander J.P. Howell for the past few weeks. The Dodgers and Howell seem to have differences in how many years the deal should be worth.



However, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies are now out of the Howell sweepstakes, helping the Dodgers:

The Rockies are close to signing left-handed reliever Boone Logan to a multi-year contract, according to major league sources.

Earlier this afternoon, there were reports that the Rockies and Howell were making progress on a deal, leaving the Dodgers with a big hole to fill in their bullpen.

The left-hander appeared in 67 games for the Dodgers last season and finished with a 2.03 ERA and 54 strikeouts in  62 innings. He was effective against right-handed and left-handed hitters and was one of the most consistent arms out of the bullpen. He was one of two prominent left-handers in relief roles, along with Paco Rodriguez.

Howell has been looking for a three-year deal, similar to the one left-hander Javier Lopez received from the San Francisco Giants, but the Dodgers have been reluctant to hand out any multi-year deals.

Along with re-signing Howell, the Dodgers also would like to at least another reliever that has late-inning experience, according to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles:

The other figures to be a higher-profile move as the Dodgers have their sights set on landing another pitcher with closing experience.

The Dodgers already have three relievers on the roster with closing experience in Wilson, Brandon League and closer Kenley Jansen and would like one more for depth. Right-handers Grant Balfour, John Axford, Fernando Rodney, Joaquin Benoit and Dodger free agent Carlos Marmol all fit the bill for what the team is apparently looking for.

The team hasn’t been linked to any of the previously mentioned names but that could change rather quickly.

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ICYMI: The Dodgers and Brian Wilson agreed to a one-year deal last week

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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