Dodgers’ Top Remaining Priority This Offseason Revealed By The Athletic Insider
Ken Rosenthal, in a recent report on The Athletic, identified the Dodgers’ top priority for the remainder of the offseason. After making huge splashes to bolster the starting rotation and lineup, Rosenthal says Los Angeles has shifted their focus to the bullpen.
“The Dodgers seem more focused on adding a high-leverage reliever.”
Ken Rosenthal – The Athletic
If everything went according to plan, then maybe the Dodgers do not need another bullpen arm. However, things rarely go according to plan, and the front office has to prepare for possible injuries or poor performance.
In high-leverage situations, the Dodgers can comfortably lean on three pitchers — Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, and Joe Kelly. Treinen, however, is currently recovering from major shoulder surgery. While he is expected to be available for Opening Day, that is not a guarantee at this stage. Additionally, Kelly has also dealt with injury in the past and has not pitched more than 50 innings since 2019.
That leaves just Phillips as the only surefire high-leverage reliever. In the past, the Dodgers have thrust Brusdar Graterol into those situations when needed. However, they seem to prefer Graterol as a setup man or in middle relief.
So, the team could certainly use someone for the late innings in case Treinen or J.P. Feyereisen are not ready to go. This takes the pressure off everyone in the bullpen and pushes them down one order of significance.
Recently, rumors have circulated about a reunion with Kenley Jansen. With the 40-man roster currently full after the James Paxton addition, a trade could be the route the front office takes — even if not for Jansen.
The team has also been linked to Cleveland Guardians’ All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, but he would take a significant haul to land.
On the free agent market, the incumbent Ryan Brasier continues to make a lot of sense, but he has at least six teams interested in him, per reports.
The Dodgers do have a glaring need for left-handed relief pitching. Caleb Ferguson and Alex Vesia are the only two left-handed pitchers listed in the bullpen. While they’ve proven capable in the past, a little more insurance could help ease minds in the seventh inning or later.
Unfortunately, there aren’t great left-handed reliever options at this stage in the offseason. Wandy Peralta would likely be the best available free agent who fits that mold.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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They’ll be fine with or without a move, plenty of options in the present BP, also wouldn’t be the first time an arm like Frasso or Hurt could step up as a dominant piece, May could come back at some point, they could trade for someone mid season if they need to, and finally, this team is so good, half the games will be over by the 7th inning.
1. Phillips 2. Teinen (if recovered) 3. Daniel Hudson (if he recovers) 4. JP Feyeriesen 5. Joe Kelly 6. Graterol 7. Caleb Ferguson 8. Vesia 9. Grove 10. Vanasco 11. Varland 12. Some folks who start the season at OKC 13. Dustin May (after ASG, if he does not go into the rotation) 14. Guys who are DFA’d near opening day who the Dodgers think they can fix 15. Trade deadline acquisition if needed.
Do they really need another one? The problem with getting another relief pitcher now is that one or more of the above may have to be lost for nothing.
I do maintain that they pitched Bickford too often and that hurt his effectiveness. He was overused, to his detriment. But he was needed for that role – the guy you use too much so you don’t overuse the best guys. So maybe the relief pitcher to look for is a guy who can pitch a few days in a row and who will always take the ball.