Relievers are like Weed: The Best are Homegrown
I just made that up. For the record, I have no clue if that is true or not… the part about weed! I don’t partake, though this damn hand-and-elbow surgery is making me re-evaluate my position. It is, however, true about relievers. The best ones are homegrown… and come next year…
I just made that up. For the record, I have no clue if that is true or not… the part about weed! I don’t partake, though this damn hand-and-elbow surgery is making me re-evaluate my position. It is, however, true about relievers. The best ones are homegrown… and come next year, the Dodgers will have a semi-load! Let’s look at what we might expect.
Left-Handed Relievers:
- Justin Wrobleski – (He can start, but I think he has the makeup of a closer. Controlled through 2031)
- Alex Vesia – (The Dodgers picked up his option – Free Agent in 2027)
- Jack Dreyer – (He has become a solid part of the bullpen – Arbitration Eligible 2028 – Controlled to 2031)
- Anthony Banda – (He resurrected his career in LA, arbitration eligible – controlled until 2028)
- Robinson Ortiz – (The Dodgers protected him, and here’s why:
- Strengths
- Fastball: Sits in the 92-94 mph range and plays up with life, reaching up to 95-97 mph.
- Changeup: Considered his best and most reliable pitch, with a low-80s offering that has good fade.
- Delivery: Smooth and repeatable, with a compact delivery that some compare to Julio Urías.
- Feel for pitching: Shows an advanced feel for pitching and commands his pitches well.
- Makeup: An eager learner with a good makeup conducive to improvement.
- Weaknesses
- Slider: It’s inconsistent, sometimes appearing as a “slurvy” breaking ball that lacks a sharp break.
- Command/Control: Has had some issues with command and control, particularly when under pressure.
- Past Injuries: Suffered forearm issues in 2021, and his recovery and future durability are key factors.
- Overall
- Ortiz has the “stuff” to succeed at the upper levels of the minors, but he needs to improve the consistency of his breaking ball and command.
- If he can stay healthy and harness his full potential, he could become a solid mid-rotation starter, but I think he has “bullpen” written all over him.
- Strengths
- Tanner Scott – (Signed for three more years. I feel that he will recover his mojo and be a top closer)
Right-Handed Relievers:
- Ben Casparius – (he can also start, but I see him as a reliever… maybe a bulk one)
- Nick Frasso – (2026 will be an essential year for Frasso. Injury is his middle name. Will he ever reach expectations? I am starting to doubt it)
- Paul Gervase – (At 6’10”, he has incredible extension for his 94-95 MPH fastball. He also has three other pitches, and if he can improve his command, he will be a nice bullpen piece)
- Brusdar Graterol – (If healthy, the Bazooka is the Dodgers’ 8th inning guy)
- Edgardo Henriquez – (I think he will be utilized in high-leverage situations in 2026)
- Kyle Hurt – (This guy should excite you the most – He is a high-leverage guy)
- Will Klein – (His outstanding performance in the World Series earns him a spot – 100 MPH can’t be taught)
- Landon Knack – (Landon Knack should be traded – he could be a nice #5 on most teams, but isd blocked in LA – He should be traded)
- Bobby Miller – (There’s an outside chance he makes a successful transition to relief – most likely he will get traded)
- Evan Phillips – (He should be back in August, and the Dodgers may try to work out a multi-year deal with him, or he could be non-tendered. When Healthy, he is a closer.)
- Brock Stewart – (If he recovers, he’s a great asset to the bullpen.)
- River Ryan – (This is his year. He has closer written all over him).
- Roki Sasaki – (Likely he goes back to being a starter, but there is a sliver of a chance he stays in the bullpen another year).
- Emmet Sheehan – (Most likely, he will be a starter, but read on)
The Starting Rotation
The Rotation might not look the way we think it. Injuries happen, Ohtani may be on a different cycle, and Jackson Ferris may be given the opportunity by mid-season because the Dodgers need a left-handed starter. I can also see the Dodgers going after Shota Imanaga in an effort to get another LHP into the rotation. Here’s what the rotation looks like:
- Yamamoto
- Snell
- Glasnow
- Ohtani
- Sasaki
- Sheehan
Imanaga might fare better with his Japanese countrymen and on a six-man rotation. It depends upon his price. The drawback may be that the Dodgers would lose another draft pick and International Bonus Pool Money. Jackson Ferris may be far more likely… maybe by mid-season.
The Old Bear Will Be Posting This Week… Stay Tuned!
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Discussion (91)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The three highest-paid relievers in baseball this season — Díaz, the Houston Astros’ Josh Hader, and Tanner Scott — combined to throw zero pitches this October. The Dodgers, of course, won the World Series anyway.
– Fabian Ardaya
The Athletic:
They could be motivated to go with a short-term solution anyway, with an eye towards their future. Arguably, the four best prospects in the Dodgers’ well-regarded farm systems are all outfielders, headlined by Futures Game MVP Josue De Paula, who finished the season in Double A and is the closest of the bunch to the majors.
Zyhir Hope, acquired from the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2024 season, also closed out this past season at Double A and has exploded onto prospect lists. Eduardo Quintero, a converted former catcher from the 2023 international class, had perhaps the best season of the bunch, with a .923 OPS at High A at just 19 years old. Then there’s Mike Sirota, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in the Gavin Lux trade, who raked in High A at 22 years old and could move up quickly.
That’s my advice and sign Belli
No Bellinger, not Jansen, they were already, they already had a chance and let them go, and now go for them again? No!
Don’t base your opinion on the numbers they had last season and on other teams, in other divisions and in another league. One was on a team with no pressure, and the other played in a minor league stadium and faced many teams with small, minor league-style stadiums.
But in the end, it’s just my opinion and nobody cares, besides, it’s not up to me.
Kenley was a great dodger. Kenley is 38 years old! Trienan is 38 years old. While not a great dodger, he’s been very good at times. We talk about the dodgers getting younger. Well another 38 year old reliever ain’t gonna make them younger. Kenley at 34? absolutely! … Rumor is they have significant interest in Devon Williams. Tanner Scott has 3 more seasons unless they can find another team to take him. Unlikely! He was awful for a while in new york. maybe he’s fixed, maybe he ain’t! Don’t need 2 of them! Although i do believe Scott will bounce back in 26. I say sign Suarez or Fairbanks, or both . Agree with Mark, sign Cody and call it a day!
Tony Gonsolin Elects Free Agency
“The Dodgers announced Wednesday that right-hander Tony Gonsolin went unclaimed on waivers and elected free agency. He was designated for assignment last week. Gonsolin underwent a flexor repair and internal brace procedure on his right UCL back in August. The procedure came with a recovery timetable of eight to ten months”.
Reds Claim Ben Rortvedt
“The Dodgers announced that catcher Ben Rortvedt has been claimed off waivers by the Reds. There was no previous indication that Rortvedt had been designated for assignment, so this drops the Los Angeles 40-man roster count to 39”.
Bellinger is probably not a good idea. His defensive metrics in CF are down significantly. He had -3 DRS in CF last year vs +7 DRS in LF and +8 in RF.
Also his hard hit rate is down. His offensive numbers are misleading- and I expect a reversion to the mean
His bat speed is in the 20th percentile
His hard hit rate is in the 26th percentile
His exit velo is in the 24th percentile
No to Jansen. No to Grisham – he’s really not the hitter that he was last year for NY. Of available relievers, I am hearing that they have interest in Devin Williams and his under the hood metrics show that he really wasn’t bad last year – most of his runs were allowed in a 5 game stretch.
The Dodgers don’t need another corner OF. And his batted ball numbers suggest a decline in offensive performance.
If not, trade for Wilyer Abreu and platoon him with Kevin Call in RF.
From AI:
Yes, the Red Sox would trade Wilyer Abreu, especially if it means acquiring a key player like an ace pitcher. Abreu is seen as a trade candidate due to the team’s outfield surplus, though he is considered more valuable than Jarren Duran by some executives due to his defense and longer club control. The Red Sox have been linked to several trade partners, including the Reds, Brewers, and Pirates.
Duran is not an RF’er, and the Dodgers need to move Teo to LF. Abreu makes more sense, plus he is a Gold Glove in RF.
Sheehan for Abreu?
after dustin may trade the sox may never trade with the dodgers again! And no matter who they trade for or sign, Teo needs, no , has to go to left field!