LAS VEGAS — Final offseason, the Dodgers swung huge of their offseason pursuit of impression bullpen additions.
After largely putting out, nevertheless, they could now need to determine in the event that they’re comfy doing it once more.
The Dodgers don’t have obtrusive wants this winter, however the again finish of the bullpen is one space they may look to improve. Though the group has ample reduction depth, it has no clear-cut nearer because it enters 2026.
The principle purpose why: Tanner Scott’s struggles after touchdown a profitable four-year, $72-million pact final winter.
Scott’s signing represented the second-largest contract, by assured cash, the Dodgers had ever given to a reduction pitcher (solely behind the five-year, $80 million deal nearer Kenley Jansen received in 2017). It was a high-risk, high-reward transfer that, at the least in Yr 1, rapidly felt like a bust.
Scott posted a 4.74 ERA within the common season, transformed solely 23 of his 33 save alternatives, and didn’t pitch within the postseason (partly due to an abscess incision process he underwent within the Nationwide League Division Sequence).
The Dodgers’ different huge reliever acquisition final winter, Kirby Yates, suffered an analogous destiny, posting a 5.23 ERA on a one-year, $13-million deal earlier than accidents additionally knocked him out of postseason competition.
Scott will probably be again subsequent yr, and is considered one of a number of veteran reduction arms the membership is hopeful will make enhancements. Nonetheless, for a group vying for a 3rd straight World Sequence title, including a extra established nearer stays of curiosity.
The query now: Will they be keen to take action on one other long-term deal? Or will final yr’s failed signings make them extra hesitant to traverse that very same path once more?
It may not take lengthy to start out discovering out.
Already at this week’s normal managers’ conferences at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the Dodgers have expressed curiosity in two-time All-Star Devin Williams, in accordance with folks with information of the scenario not approved to talk publicly.
The 31-year-old right-hander had a down yr with the New York Yankees (4.79 ERA, albeit with 18 saves in 22 alternatives), however his underlying metrics stay sturdy, and the Dodgers’ curiosity in him dates to final offseason when he was a commerce goal of the membership earlier than finally touchdown within the Bronx.
With a mid-90s mph fastball and signature “Airbender” changeup that has made him probably the most prolific strikeout threats in all of the majors over his seven-year profession (during which he has a 2.45 ERA and averages greater than 14 strikeouts per 9 innings), he would considerably enhance their ninth-inning outlook.
However the Dodgers’ pursuit of him, which was first reported by The Athletic, may include a difficult resolution.
Williams is anticipated to have a number of critical suitors this offseason. And, although some retailers projected him to signal solely a one-year deal upward of $20 million, others have him pegged to land a three- or four-year contract.
By nature, the Dodgers usually desire shorter-term offers, significantly in a task as unstable as reduction pitching. If Williams does obtain longer-term affords from different golf equipment, it’s unclear if the Dodgers can be keen to match.
The group may face comparable dynamics if it goes after different prime relievers available on the market, together with three-time All-Star and prime free-agent nearer Edwin Díaz (who additionally comes with the added complication of a qualifying supply that may value them a draft decide).
They may wind up having to as soon as once more weigh a high-risk, high-reward transfer.
And on Tuesday, normal supervisor Brandon Gomes struck a decidedly risk-averse tone within the wake of final yr’s failed signings.
“It’s one of those things that, I don’t think it’s a ‘need,’” Gomes stated of the group’s curiosity in making one other splashy reliever acquisition. “But it could be a nice-to-have, depending on how it all plays out.”
There are different alternate options, after all.
Former Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks is one probably shorter-term goal some within the business see as a slot in Los Angeles, after racking up 75 saves with a 2.98 ERA during the last three seasons.
Former Angels and Atlanta Braves right-hander Raisel Iglesias is probably one other, after amassing 96 saves with a 2.62 ERA during the last three years, due to a mid-90s mph fastball and swing-and-miss changeup which have stored him productive even at age 35.
There are different acquainted free-agent relievers out there this winter, too, from former San Diego Padres nearer Robert Suarez to former St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets right-hander Ryan Helsley (who has additionally been linked to the Dodgers in commerce rumors previously).
The Dodgers may additionally discover the offseason’s commerce market, or roll the cube with a present reduction corps that also contains Scott (whose 2025 points had extra to do with execution than high quality of stuff), Alex Vesia (who has established himself as one of many prime left-handed relievers within the sport) and Blake Treinen (one other reliever the group sees as a bounce-back candidate after he struggled with accidents final season within the first season of a two-year, $22 million deal). They may even be getting Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips again from accidents, with Graterol on observe to be prepared for the beginning of 2026 after lacking final yr with a shoulder downside, and Phillips anticipated to return sooner or later in subsequent season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure final June.
For now, nevertheless, the group’s search may rely upon how the markets for Williams, Díaz and others develop — and whether or not it’s keen to take one other huge bullpen swing on a longer-term deal.
“We have so many guys that are capable of closing and have done it in the past,” Gomes stated, highlighting the group’s present returning bullpen arms. “But it’s one of the areas we’ll look to potentially add to the team.”
