Cody Snavely
Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers had a goal this offseason to revamp this roster and put it in the best position to win the NL West and the World Series. Throughout the offseason, the Dodgers have upgraded their lineup and starting rotation and splashed big on Shohei Ohtani. However, one area the team has not spent much on is their bullpen.
While the team did bring back veteran arms Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, and fan favorite Joe Kelly, the bullpen remains the same as the 2023 squad. All offseason, the team has been linked to names such as Josh Hader, Emmanuel Clase, and Robert Stephenson. They ended up with none of them. So, if they upgrade the pen, what are the remaining options?
Kenleyfornia Love returns to the Ravine?
One name linked throughout the trade market is Kenley Jansen of the Boston Red Sox. Jansen, an All-Star last season, is due $16 million in the final year of his two-year contract. With the Red Sox expected to keep shedding payroll as they retool for the future, the Dodgers have emerged as a favorite for his services.
Here on DodgersBeat, I wrote an article highlighting a potential reunion. To many fan’s dismay of the idea, it does make sense for the Dodgers if they are trying to get a “traditional” closer. Jansen had a decent year for the Red Sox, collecting 29 saves with a 3.63 ERA and 52 SO. The move would allow Jansen to take over the 9th inning role that he had throughout his entire Dodgers career, moving Evan Phillips back to his high leverage/set-up role.
For the Red Sox to move Kenley and get back any value, they will have to eat a considerable chunk of his 2024 salary. If the Red Sox eat around half ($8 million) of his salary, the Dodgers could give up a lower-level pitching prospect such as Landon Knack and get an All-Star closer for just a one-year commitment for $8 million.
The second-best lefty option from the Marlins
The Miami Marlins have been a team rumored to sell off significant assets under their new leadership with Peter Bendix all winter. While the big fish is left-handed starter Jesús Luzardo, another arm the Dodgers could trade for is LHP Tanner Scott.
Scott, who is in the final year of arbitration, is a free agent at the end of the 2024 season but could be a hot commodity around baseball. Scott had the best season of his career in 2023, posting a 2.31 ERA with 104 SO and a K/9 at 12 in 78 innings. However, the biggest benefit for Scott is that he is a lefty.
The Dodgers’ current lefty options in their bullpen are Caleb Ferguson, Alex Vesia, and Ryan Yarbrough. A potential trade for Scott, along with the pitching strategist that the Dodgers have, could lead to even better numbers in 2024, as the Dodgers could use Scott in a high-leverage spot that Evan Phillips was used in during the 2021-2022 season. The Marlins, however, could hold on to Scott at least until the trade deadline, as they did make the postseason this past season.
From one fish to another: David Robertson
The 2023 season could be a tale of two halves for the veteran reliever David Robertson. During the first half of the season, Robertson posted elite numbers for the New York Mets, posting a 2.05 ERA, 14 saves, and a 9.8 K/9. Robertson was part of the Mets fire sale, getting shipped to the Marlins as they prepared for their postseason run.
However, Robertson’s tenure in Miami was less than favorable as he posted an ERA north of five, losing the closer role. Due to Robertson’s age, any team who signs him is expected to be on a 1-year deal basis. The Dodgers already have a few relief options entering their late thirties, but Robertson is the healthiest of that group.
Internal options?
If the Dodgers decide to stand pat this offseason on bullpen arms, the team has a plethora of arms available in the farm system that could make an impact. The obvious choice is Kyle Hurt, who got a taste of the major leagues last year against the Padres.
Before his callup in 2023, Hurt was putting up video game numbers in the minors, posting an ERA at 3.87, striking out 145 batters in 88.1 innings. Hurt’s 14.9 K/9 would be a huge addition to the Dodgers bullpen, which lacks a pure strikeout option.
After Hurt, the Dodgers could also turn to other arms sprinkled around the minor leagues, such as Gavin Stone, Landon Knack, or perhaps Emmet Sheehan if the Dodgers acquire another starting pitcher for the rotation.
