Should the Dodgers Explore Signing NPB Star LHP Yuki Matsui This Offseason?
Over the last few years, the Dodgers haven’t really had a true closer that they could count on in the late innings. Reliever Evan Phillips has been solid for the team, but there are plenty of times that he seems more suited for a set-up role.
While the bullpen wasn’t the issue this past season after some early season issues, the Dodgers are entering the offseason with a ton of needs. Getting a true closer could be one of those depending on how the front office looks at the season as a whole.
One player that could end up being on the radar for LA is star Japanese closer Yuki Matsui. He is testing the waters of Major League Baseball to see what interest level could be there, and the Dodgers could be one of the teams in on his services.
He is a full free agent from the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and if he were to sign with a team, there would be no additional posting fee required. Matsui could provide a team with a legitimate back-end bullpen option, and he has great stuff to work with.
In his time with the Eagles, he has posted a 2.40 ERA and has 236 saves to his resume. Matsui is a five-time NPB All-Star, and he also is the youngest player in the league’s history to reach the 200-save mark.
He holds a very high strikeout rate throughout his career coming in at 31.9 percent, so he can miss bats. This bodes well for a closer, and it could help the Dodgers put games on ice. However he has seen some issues with control at times, and that has caused some issues for him.
If LA were to sign him, it would allow Phillips to move back into a set-up role and give the Dodgers a strong one-two punch. The left-hander is certainly a potential option for the Dodgers as they make their way through the offseason.
If he does come to Major League Baseball, there will be no shortage of suitors as almost a third of the league has already scouted his game. LA has more pressing needs, such as the starting rotation, but you can never fault a team for wanting to improve their bullpen.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
