What Will Dodger Bullpen Look Like in 26

There is definitely a need for the Dodgers to add at least one very good back-end of the pen arm. Some have suggested that they sign former Padre, Robert Suarez. Suarez has been estimated to get a contract for 3/36 million dollars. The Dodgers could use him in tandem with Tanner Scott as a lefty-righty close combo. Of course, there will be a lot of competition for his services.

Lately, there has been some chatter on the internet, mostly about their interest in Devin Williams, the former Brewer and Yankee. I could see them kicking the tires on him for sure. There was also some chatter on MLBTR about them looking at Raisel Iglesias, the former Angel and Brave.

Barring some unforeseen trade or release, we know that Scott, Treinen, Vesia, Banda, Caspairus, Dreyer, Graterol, Henriquez, Hurt, Klein, and Ortiz will all be reporting to Arizona as relievers come February. Even Phillips is not expected back until sometime during the season as is Brock Stewart.

Justin Wrobleski showed a lot as a reliever during the World Series and possibly could be a bullpen option. Sasaki was the closer for a while, but I have to believe he is back in the mix as a starter for 26. That being said, Friedman has loaded up on relief pitchers every year he has been running the team.

Some have been successful. Others, not so much. I am at this point pretty sure that the powers that be expect Tanner Scott to have a much better 26. Yates had his moments, but for the most part was nowhere near the pitcher he was in 24.

Some fans are hoping the Dodgers bring back Kenley Jansen. Jansen turns 39 next September. He was 5-4 with a 2.59 ERA and 29 saves for a very pitiful Angels team. Could he possibly repeat that kind of performance with the Dodgers?

Considering he was paid just $10 million for his work, he would not be very expensive. Guys like Diaz and Suarez are going to cost a lot more than that. Diaz is supposedly asking for a 5-year deal. Doubtful after the Scott experience that the Dodgers would go for that.

The upside of using kids like Klein and Henriquez is that they are both young and cheap compared to free-agent relievers. I do not watch the affiliates as much as I probably should. I did watch several games this season for OKC. But to tell the truth, I have no idea who Ortiz is.

So, I looked up his stats. Ortiz will turn 26 years old in January. He has been in the Dodger system since 2017. He pitched in 6 games in 2021 for Great Lakes. He did not pitch again until 2024. Obviously, although I cannot find any information on it, he had some injury.

He pitched in 6 games for Rancho in 24. Last season, he pitched at three levels: Great Lakes, Tulsa, and OKC. He had a combined 5-2 record with a 2.78 ERA and four saves. The Dodgers have placed some value on the young lefty. If healthy, he will get a long look in spring training.

LA might check in on some of the more interesting names out there in free agency. Tyler Rogers, Pete Fairbanks, Taylor Rogers, Gregory Soto. There is a lot to choose from. It is going to be an exciting offseason watching Andrew rebuild his bullpen and add quality to a two-time champion.

What most of us do understand is that relievers can be great one year and stink up the joint the next. Not so long ago, many Dodger fans were very displeased with the performance of Kenley Jansen. Especially some of his post-season work was less than inspiring.

Whoever they choose will come under intense scrutiny from fans. LA loves a winner. When the team pays you as much to do a job as they did Scott, you can expect to hear it from them when you fail miserably. I sincerely hope Scott does not hear as many boos next season.