LA Dodgers Bullpen Offseason Shopping List
- Updated: October 19, 2014
The Dodgers offseason has just begun, but they have wasted no time making the headlines with the recent hiring of Andrew Friedman.
Although Hanley Ramirez has been the big talk of the Dodgers offseason so far, the bullpen is where the Dodgers need the biggest work. The bullpen has been horrendous this season but even worse in the postseason, and was the key to the Dodgers not advancing to the NLCS.
In the NLDS against the one and only St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers led in every game going into the seventh, but one in which they were tied 1-1. The biggest shock of all was seeing the Cardinals break Clayton Kershaw in the seventh inning of game one and four with a combined 11 earned runs scored by the Cardinals in the seventh inning of both games. While most put the blame on Kershaw, they failed to recognize the fact that with a great bullpen, the Dodgers wouldn’t have had to keep their starter in for more than six to seven innings.
Game 1: Dodgers bullpen comes in after Kershaw’s meltdown and seventh earned run. Relief pitcher Pedro Baez came in and allowed a 3-run homer to Matt Holliday.
Game 2: Zack Greinke pitched a scoreless seven innings and gets relieved in the eighth inning by JP Howell. JP allowed a leadoff single to Oscar Taveras and then a game-tying homerun to Matt Carpenter. Thankfully, Matt Kemp hit a home run in the eighth to lead the Dodgers to victory.
Game 3: Hyun-Jin Ryu went an almost flawless six innings and came out of the game in a 1-1 tie. Scott Elbert came out of the bullpen and double to Yadier Molina and then a homerun to Kolten Wong. The dodgers went on to lose 3-1.
Game 4: Clayton Kershaw pitched perfectly allowing only one hit until the seventh inning once again, but broke down and allowed a 3-run homer to Matt Adams. Although this wasn’t the bullpen that blew it, with Kershaw pitching on three days rest, it would’ve been ideal for the Dodgers to be able to go to their bullpen and trust that they’d hold the Cardinals offense.
Possible signings this offseason:
David Robertson: A 29-year old relief pitcher who had an ERA of 3.08 along with 39 saves and 96 strikeouts. He was near perfect this season and is pretty young and could be the Dodgers set-up for a while. While he was a closer for the Yankees, he’d be a good set-up man for the Dodgers, as he’d set up perfectly for Kenley Jansen who was lights out most of all the 2014 season. Robertson made 5.2 million during the 2014 season.
Pat Neshek: While most Dodger fans know him as the man who gave Matt Kemp the home run ball to win their only game of the 2014 NLDS, Neshek was an excellent pitcher all season, and for most of the remaining postseason. Neshek had a whopping 1.87 ERA with six saves and 68 strikeouts. In the postseason, he had just a 2.35 ERA only allowing two runs off of homeruns. Neshek was on a 1-year contract with the worth of one million dollars.
Luke Gregerson: Gregerson pitched an ERA of 2.12 with three saves and 59 strikeouts while he pitched in 72 games. He is only 30 years old, which means the Dodgers could potentially have him for a couple of years. He too would make an excellent set-up man.
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6 Comments
About Annaliese Leon
LOL REALLY?
October 19, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Why the hell would the Dodgers give up a draft pick to the Yankees for Robertson? Do you know about that? And why would they waste a draft pick for a set-up man? Is that what Friedman is known for? Lmao, c’mon man.
Annaliese Leon
October 19, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback, I’m sorry you feel that way.
Nate Doggy Dogg
October 19, 2014 at 10:02 pm
Those three options make sense, but seem like what Coletti would do. Friedman has had luck finding diamonds in the rough before, I imagine he’ll go for one or two established players, but also a couple pitchers who other teams aren’t looking at
Annaliese Leon
October 19, 2014 at 10:57 pm
That is very true! I know there are numerous other options for the bullpen, I just thought those would one of the best. I just hope they fix the bullpen issue this offseason, which I know Friedman will definitely do! As you kind of described him, he is a go-getter!
LOL REALLY?
October 20, 2014 at 5:44 pm
lol I don’t have feelings. It just doesn’t go with how Friedman runs a team. No way would he give up a draft pick for
Robertson let alone a reliever. Why not
Just go in house for relief options? Do you trust them? If so who do you like for in-house options?
Jacob Lomeli
October 25, 2014 at 6:20 am
I think that’s a great perspective. I feel like as a major league baseball team you have to have not only good starters but, also great relievers that’s how you win games. Additionally, that’s how you become successful on the field as a team. The name that stuck out to me was Pat Neshek not only was he’s ERA great all season and held up in the postseason but, Neshek being a side arm pitcher will add difficulties to any batter that steps in the batters box you wont be able to obtain that eye for the pitch as clearly as you would when a regular pitcher is throwing the ball great article!