Earlier today, we pointed out that MLB experts are banging the table for the Los Angeles Dodgers to acquire reliever Josh Hader. In addition, those same experts have brought up ideas like signing Dellin Betances on a low-risk deal. While agreeing that the Dodgers need to address their bullpen, we thought Blake Treinen would make an excellent target for Los Angeles as well.
Without a doubt, the theme remains the same for the Dodgers heading towards the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that MLB.com says the Dodgers must go in with the mindset to acquire relief pitching when the meetings begin Sunday night.
What’s your priority for free agents this off season? Example:
1. Cole
2. Rendon
3. Strasburg
4. Treinen
5. WheelerWhat order do you have? And is there more to your list? pic.twitter.com/EBD82aFc14
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) December 4, 2019
Here is the snippet from the article, which breaks down each NL West team and need.
Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill are free agents, so the Dodgers clearly have work to do in the rotation. But with Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw at the forefront, that rotation is still a strength.
The bullpen, on the other hand, remains entirely too unpredictable. Kenley Jansen posted a career-high 3.71 ERA last season after a career-high 4.03 FIP two years ago. He’s no longer the lights-out closer he once was. After Jansen, Joe Kelly and Pedro Báez bring plenty of question marks, too.
The Dodgers’ bullpen deficiencies led to their unraveling in each of the past few postseasons. Right now, the relief market is thin — and tricky to gauge. But it’s hard to envision Los Angeles standing pat in the ‘pen.
Of course everyone would like to see the Dodgers pull in Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon. However – to agree with the author at MLB.com – it’s important that the Dodgers don’t forget about their bullpen. As stated in the last stanza, the Dodgers’ bullpen deficiencies were the reason Clayton Kershaw was in game five of the NLDS which became the final chapter of 2019.
Certainly, Andrew Friedman and company can’t hope to just land a bargain-bin reliever or two and get by once again. This is an area that needs addressed, and if the Dodgers can land a solid player or two for the unit; everyone should be excited.
