Cody Snavely
Continuing out our DodgersBeat positional previews, fittingly enough, is closer, which, for the first time since the 2021 season, will have a traditional closer after their massive acquisition of free agent left-handed pitcher Tanner Scott this offseason.
However, on paper, the Dodgers have three legit closers, so how will Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even out the workload for what is shaping up to be one of the best bullpens in baseball?
The Dodgers Finally Get Their Closer in Tanner Scott
All winter, it was rumored that the Los Angeles Dodgers had been in on the relief pitching market, specifically one of the better arms out there. Ultimately, the Dodgers inked free agent lefty Tanner Scott to a massive 4-year, $72 million contract, giving them their set closer for the foreseeable future.
Scott joins a Dodgers bullpen that was one of the best units in Major League Baseball last season, ranking in the top five in multiple relief pitching categories such as ERA, WHIP, and FIP. However, one area the team struggled in last season was blown saves, where they led the National League with twenty-nine.
Scott, 30, was a top-five baseball reliever during the 2024 season and undoubtedly the best left-hander. Scott finished his 2024 campaign with 72 IP, 1.75 ERA, and 84 Ks (28.6%). Scott is also finishing a dominant two-year stretch, posting a 2.04 ERA in 150 innings for both the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres.
Scott had twenty-two saves this past season, split between his time with the Miami Marlins and National League West rival the San Diego Padres. However, according to Brandon Gomes, the Dodgers will still go with a closer by committee and play matchups as they’ve done the past three seasons. Gomes reiterated that Scott will have “a lot of opportunities to close games.”
FanGraphs also projects the 30-year-old lefty to collect a career-high twenty-five saves in sixty-six appearances, along with a 3.03 ERA, 3.15 FIP, and an absurd 30% K% in sixty-six innings pitched.
Yates and Treinen Will Also Get Opportunities
The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t just fortify the backend of their bullpen with Scott as the team re-signed veteran relief pitcher Blake Treinen to a 2-year, $22 million deal and shockingly signed all-star closer 37-year-old Kirby Yates to a 1-year, $13 million contract.
While not the closer during the regular season, the Dodgers turned to Treinen on multiple occasions in the 9th inning during the postseason, and throughout his career, he has had experience in the closer role between his time with the Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics.
Yates, a 2024 American League All-Star with the Texas Rangers, is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, where he was arguably the second-best relief pitcher in baseball behind American League Cy Young finalist Emmanuel Clase.
The trio of Scott, Treinen, and Yates will all get their fair share of save opportunities through the 162-game regular season, and come postseason time, any Dodgers lead after the 6th inning will be much safer with them at the helm.
DodgersBeat Grade A+
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
