Cody Snavely
Since the departure of Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers’ all-time save leader with 350 saves in Dodger Blue, LA has been looking for his replacement.
However, the team found it during the 2021 season when they took a chance on Evan Phillips, who has become one of baseball’s most dependable relief pitchers.
Entering the 2023 season, Dave Roberts assured that Evan Phillips was now the quote-on-quote closer, someone who would take the ball in the 9th inning.
Evan Phillips was that guy. He collected 24 saves in 61.1 innings, a 2.05 ERA, 212 ERA+, and 9.7 K/9. But will he keep that same role in 2024?
Dodgers bullpen roles?
Prior to the 2023 season, the Dodgers 2022 decided to use a closer-by-committee approach after former all-star closer Craig Kimbrel didn’t work out.
When the game called for it, Phillips was also used as the high-leverage relief option out of the bullpen. However, in 2023, he was shifted to a closer role.
For 2024, the Dodgers should expect more of the same from Phillips as he enters his second straight season as the Dodgers closer.
As discussed here at DodgersBeat, the Dodgers bullpen is one of their strengths entering the 2024 season. Despite a horrific first half of the season, the Dodgers pen turned a complete 180 and was lights out in October.
I am also old-fashioned regarding bullpen construction and value the set closer idea. The Dodgers also share that sentiment, as they have been looking for a lockdown 9th-inning option since Jansen left.
For the 2024 season, Phillips is projected to post a 3.83 ERA, 27.5 K/9, and 7.9 BB/9 in 66 innings. However, with the talent around him, he could set a career-high in saves, as the Dodgers are projected for more than 100 wins.
Other options?
The Dodgers bullpen has plenty of big names who have experience closing ballgames if Evan Phillips is unavailable or injured. The biggest wildcard is right-handed relief pitcher Blake Treinen, who has missed most of the last two seasons with a shoulder injury.
Treinen, an All-Star closer with the Athletics and Nationals, was arguably the Dodgers’ best relief option during the 2021 season and would easily slide into the closer role should the situation arise.
Other options the Dodgers could turn to would be flamethrowing Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol, or Ryan Brasier.
DODGERSBEAT GRADE: B
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