Dodgers Rumors: Dodgers Interested in Top-End Relief Pitching Market

Yesterday at 08:48 PM

The 2024 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas, are in full swing, with all thirty teams and their representatives set to conclude talks tomorrow afternoon.

There has been a lot of action in the trade and free agent market, such as the New York Mets signing top free agent 26-year-old Juan Soto to a massive 15-year, $785 million contract and the Boston Red Sox finally pulling a trade for lefty Garrett Crochet, whom the Dodgers were also invested in this past trade deadline.   

However, what is the buzz surrounding the 2024 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers?

Well, for starters, the Dodgers were among the finalists for Juan Soto, reportedly offering the four-time all-star a $600 million contract, according to the Athletic.

However, the team was active in the free agent market, re-signing veteran right-handed relief pitcher Blake Treinen to a 2-year, $22 million deal and snatching left-handed hitting outfielder Michael Conforto from the San Fransisco Giants for a 1-year, $17 million deal.

The Dodgers, led by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and General Manager Brandon Gomes, have also been heavily invested in re-signing fan favorite Teoscar Hernández along with finally sharing to the media their plans to go after top international free agent Rōki Sasaki, who was offically posted yesterday.

However, like most teams, the Dodgers are looking to upgrade their bullpen, specifically the backend, and have been linked to two top-end options.

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to add a top-of-the-line relief pitcher to their bullpen and have circled lefty Tanner Scott and Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.

The reigning World Series champions seek at least one more reliever, league sources tell The Athletic, and are looking at the top of that market. That includes but is not limited to interest in free-agent lefty Tanner Scott, league sources said, and a potential trade for Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.

Looking back at last season, the Dodgers bullpen was one of their strengths all season, including October, when they were a major factor in the Dodgers’ eventual World Series title.

Overall, the Dodgers bullpen pitched 648 innings, which was the fourth most in the National League, but still managed to rank third in ERA (3.53), second in WHIP (1.18), second in Batting Average (.220), and third in LOB% (73.5%).

During October, with the Dodgers only having three available starters (Yamamoto, Buehler, Flaherty), the bullpen was tasked with multiple bullpen games and, for the most part, was nails winning a win-or-go-home game four in the National League Division Series, two games in the National League Championship Series, and one game in the World Series.

However, the need to fortify the bullpen’s back end does make sense. Despite re-signing Treinen to a two-year deal, the righty will be entering his thirty-six season.

Veteran right-handed pitcher Daniel Hudson announced his retirement shortly after the Dodgers clinched the World Series in New York. Joe Kelly, who the Dodgers signed to a 1-year, $8 million deal, is now a free agent. And it would be risky for the team to expect the same production from Anthony Banda or Michael Kopech.

The Dodgers are clearly shopping high this offseason. Scott was atop the free agent leaderboards after a dominant two-year stretch, posting a 2.04 ERA in 150 innings for both the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres.

Williams, who is entering the final year with the Brewers and has been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball with a 1.83 ERA in 235 innings, will be a hot commodity after the Brewers declined the righty’s $10.5 million option, forcing both sides to meet in arbitration.

For a Dodgers team that values pitching depth, it is rare to see Andrew Friedman shell out money or prospects for bullpen arms, as the only long-term deal that was signed in Friedman’s tenure was the re-signing of Kenley Jansen after the 2016 season.

That said, expect the Dodgers to be active in free agency over the next few days and weeks as they look to complete their roster this winter.

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