In assessing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason needs, a high-leverage right-handed reliever is near the top of the list. It was a weakness on last year’s roster. They improvised in the postseason last year by putting Clayton Kershaw, Emmet Sheehan, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki in the bullpen. Sasaki served as the impromptu closer with a lot of success. However, Kershaw has retired, and the other three are expected to be reinserted into the starting rotation in 2026. Los Angeles is expected to be active in next week’s Winter Meetings, but their main priority is filling a role in the outfield.
Dodgers Can Look In-House for High-Leverage Relievers
Striking Out on Free Agents
Devin Williams was highly coveted by the Dodgers as far back as last offseason, but he was traded to the New York Yankees. They were interested in signing him as a free agent. He is now with the New York Mets. Edwin Díaz is supposed to be on top of the closer market, but after signing Tanner Scott last winter, Los Angeles appears unwilling to swallow the asking price. If the Dodgers fail to sign or trade for anyone, these are their in-house options.
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The Vet
Blake Treinen struggled mightily last season. The right-hander struggled with injuries most of the year. When he came back, he wasn’t effective. His ERA hovered above 5.00. However, there is a career pattern for the reliever. He is typically good one year and struggles the next. Treinen could revert to his old self, with an ERA just above 2.00. Baseball is a “What have you done for me lately?” business. It’s easy to forget how he carried the Dodgers in the 2024 postseason. With miles on his arm, he was still nearly unhittable. Los Angeles does not win the 2024 World Series without him.
The Post-Surgery Pitchers
Brusdar Graterol and Kyle Hurt are more than a year removed from major surgery. There was some talk that either one could be put on the postseason roster. Hurt was probably the more viable option of the two. He had some time at Triple-A Oklahoma City to rehab. In limited innings, Hurt had a 1.35 ERA. He showed glimpses of his overpowering stuff, but the Dodgers turned to Sasaki.
Graterol was supposed to be back with the team in the latter half of last year, but he remained in the Dodgers’ Arizona facility. His timeline for return kept being pushed back despite optimistic updates. The Dodgers are known for slow-walking players’ rehab estimates, so it came as little surprise when Graterol announced that he would be ready to pitch in 2026. Whatever the case, Graterol and Hurt have proven they can be effective relief options at the big league level.
Brock Stewart is also a proven set-up man, but he is also recovering from surgery. He won’t be available until the second half of next season.
The In-House Closer
Finally, if Scott can get back to his old self, he is capable of getting outs from either side of the plate. If worst comes to worst, the Dodgers are not bereft of options, but a little insurance wouldn’t hurt either.
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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