Sunday, January 19, 2025
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025
If you can’t beat him, let him join you. The Los Angeles Dodgers signed left-handed reliever Tanner Scott to a four-year $72 million deal. With Scott, the Dodgers have a bona fide closer.
At 30, Scott is considered to be one of the elite relievers in the game today. He became a major leaguer in 2017 and played for the Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, and San Diego Padres. In the 2024 season, Scott appeared in 72 games between the Marlins and Padres and had 22 saves, a 1.74 ERA, and 84 strikeouts. Scott usually retired Shohei Ohtani.
The Dodgers will have one of the best bullpens in the major leagues. During their World Championship season, the Dodgers learned the importance of having a great bullpen. The Dodgers relied on their strong bullpen throughout the 2024 postseason.
This offseason, the Dodgers signed right-handed Blake Treinen to a two-year $22 million contract. Coming off a shoulder injury and surgery that made him miss almost two years, Treinen was a vital reliever in the 2024 World Championship season.
At the trading deadline, the Dodgers obtained Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox. When Kopech can find the strike zone, he is a nasty power right-handed reliever. He should perform better in the 2025 season.
Evan Phillips, who missed the World Series against the New York Yankees with a shoulder injury, had a good 2024 season, with a problem around the All-Star break. He lost his closer role. However, Phillips was valuable as a setup man.
Brusdar Graterol will miss at least the first half of the 2025 season after having right shoulder surgery. If he can return after the All-Star break healthy and effective, Graterol can be a good setup man.
Anthony Banda was a surprise in the 2024 season. The journeyman left-handed reliever found his effectiveness with the Dodgers. If he can continue his dominance in the 2025 season, he will be a valuable reliever for the Dodgers.
Since 2022, Alexa Vesia has been one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball. Though he missed the NLCS against the New York Mets, Vesia played a vital role in the Dodger bullpen during the World Series. He is a good left-handed reliever but is going to the arbitration. The Dodgers might want to trade him because the Dodgers don’t like going to arbitration with players.
Ryan Brasier is still in the Dodger bullpen. He can be a mop-up man in the Dodger bullpen.
The Dodgers have many rookies who can be in the Dodger bullpen. After strengthening their starting rotation, the Dodgers shouldn’t use the bullpen less than they did in the 2024 season. If the Dodgers get a lead in a game, they should win.
