Roger Arrieta
Dodgers Bullpen Blues
No one would mistake the 2014 Dodger bullpen with the Kansas City Royals; they were on two different planets. That’s why the new regime, led by ex-Rays GM Andrew Friedman, has made the bullpen a priority.
But the one arm he knew he could rely on, closer Kenley Jansen, is out for about 3 months due to foot surgery performed on Tuesday. This is a big, if not devastating blow, to the Dodgers’ already questionable bullpen. After the All-Star break last year, Jansen was rock solid. He posted a 1.90 ERA, with a WHIP of 0.94, struck out 39 and only walked 7. He saved 44 games during the year and was one of the best closers in the game. Meanwhile, the rest of the bullpen struggled, giving up far too many base on balls, 206. Compare that to the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants bullpen that walked only 131.
So, the conversation about the Dodgers, as spring training gets underway, has shifted from talk of trading for another starter, like Cole Hamels, or getting more middle relief help or the possibility of signing Yoan Moncada. Now, the talk is about whether they should sign Francisco Rodriguez or Rafael Soriano, as Steve Dilbeck argues in the LA Times this morning (A Case for Dodgers to Sign Rafael Soriano or Francisco Rodriguez, http://tinyurl.com/ouw6cug). Or, should they look for temporary help among the current crop of relievers and close by committee? A third option, trading for Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, is less likely since he is owed $13 million this year and the Phillies would want a top prospect. The Dodgers have held firm in their refusal to part with their top three prospects, Joc Pederson, Corey Seager or Julio Urias, and they certainly wouldn’t do it for a temporary closer.
But signing an established closer like Rodriquez or Soriano sounds great on the surface, especially if the Dodgers could get one of them at their price. Even if they come at high cost, we all know the Dodgers have the money. But what happens in the clubhouse when Jansen comes back, especially if the new closer turns out to be really good? And that is a possibility. Jansen saved 44 games last year, but so did Rodriquez with the Brewers. Would signing one of these men cause a “closer controversy” come May? Or would either of them be willing to hand the job back to Jansen and be satisfied in a set-up role? Former pitchers-turned-baseball-analysts like Dan Plesac on the MLB Network talk about how “touchy” a bullpen can be when roles are shuffled. When the closer is out, the chemistry changes and pitchers in the bullpen are finding themselves in unfamiliar territory.
Those are some of the questions the Dodgers have to answer before they would pull the trigger on a Rodriquez or Soriano signing. But everyone would agree that the other alternative is just as risky for a team and its fans that will be satisfied with nothing short of a World Series championship. There is nothing certain in relying on the current bullpen to bridge the gap until Jansen’s return. It’s a gamble.
It’s true that some of the bullpen personnel have been in that role in the past. Brandon League was a successful closer for the Mariners. But do fans really want to see League take the ball in the ninth inning when the game is on the line? League was hardly lights out last year after the All-Star break: in 20 innings, he gave up 26 hits, 12 runs and walked 11. The opposition’s batting average was a whopping .329. He was much better before the break, but I doubt anyone thinks he’s the answer.
Perhaps there’s an answer among the new crop of relievers signed by the Dodgers; perhaps a Joel Peralta or Chris Hatcher or Juan Nicasio, and there are intriguing possibilities there; but they are all “possibilities” and relying on them is an exercise in wishful thinking. Perhaps one of the younger pitchers, like Paco Rodriquez, will emerge as a stellar temporary closer. But he had a tough 2014, so he’s a question mark. Unfortunately, hard-throwing Chris Withrow may be out for the entire 2015 season, recovering from Tommy John and back surgeries.
So we come back to the question of whether the Dodgers should get their fat wallet out and pay what it takes to get Francisco Rodriquez or Rafael Soriano or gamble with what they’ve got now. You can be sure that there will be speculation and rumor — and opinions will be legion. I can think of worse things than having two established closers in the bullpen — that is, if the parties involved can check their egos at the clubhouse door and do what’s best for the team in 2015. Unfortunately, we don’t see that kind of humility in the MLB very often these days. So, I’m not counting on it.
