The Dodgers’ Bullpen Dilemma: Who Will Be the Odd Man Out?
The Los Angeles Dodgers, known for their forward-thinking approach to team-building, made a significant move in the offseason by adding two established relievers to their bullpen: Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. These acquisitions bring added depth and experience to a bullpen that, despite its high-performing core in recent seasons, had been in need of a reliable influx of talent to bolster its ranks.
With these two new additions, however, comes a dilemma: who will be sacrificed in the Dodgers’ already crowded bullpen? For any team, balancing a roster that includes top-tier talent while adhering to budget constraints and player usage limits is a difficult task, but it’s particularly challenging for the Dodgers, who have one of the deepest rosters in Major League Baseball.
Let’s break down the situation and analyze the Dodgers’ bullpen, considering factors like player performance, roles, and team needs, to figure out which reliever might be the odd man out.
The New Additions: Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates
Before diving into the current state of the bullpen, let’s first take a closer look at the two new members joining the team:
- Tanner Scott:
- Overview: A left-handed pitcher with a fastball that can reach the high 90s, Scott was an important piece of the Miami Marlins bullpen for several seasons. His slider is a powerful weapon, and he offers a reliable strikeout option. His biggest strength lies in his ability to get left-handed hitters out, making him a potential key late-inning option.
- Projected Role: Scott’s acquisition adds a strong left-handed option to the Dodgers’ bullpen, which could help them in matchup situations. He could slot in as a lefty specialist or even a potential closer, depending on how the bullpen develops over the season.
- Kirby Yates:
- Overview: After a dominant 2019 season with the San Diego Padres, where he saved 39 games and posted a 1.19 ERA, Yates has been dealing with injuries in recent years. However, when healthy, he brings a high-velocity fastball and a devastating splitter. His addition gives the Dodgers another experienced reliever who has proven he can succeed in high-leverage situations.
- Projected Role: If Yates can return to his pre-injury form, he could serve as a closer or a high-leverage setup man. The Dodgers could also use him in more flexible roles depending on how his stuff looks during spring training and early in the season.
The Current State of the Dodgers’ Bullpen
Before making any decisions, let’s take a look at the bullpen pieces already in place for the Dodgers:
- Evan Phillips:
- Overview: Phillips emerged as one of the Dodgers’ most reliable arms in 2023. With a solid fastball and excellent command of his secondary pitches, Phillips was used in a variety of roles, including as a late-inning weapon. His ability to get both left-handed and right-handed hitters out makes him a versatile option.
- Role: Phillips figures to play a key role in high-leverage situations, especially in the middle to late innings.
- Bruce Dal Canton:
- Overview: With a fastball that can touch the upper 90s, Cantillo offers the Dodgers a dynamic and electric arm. His ability to strike out hitters and generate weak contact makes him a valuable asset.
- Role: Cantillo could be an effective bridge to the closer, offering depth and flexibility in the late innings.
- Yency Almonte:
- Overview: Known for his solid control and ability to get key outs in important situations, Almonte will likely continue to be a reliable bullpen piece. His versatility and command of the strike zone have made him a trusted arm for the Dodgers in high-leverage situations.
- Role: Almonte will likely be used in multi-inning situations, as well as some high-leverage spots.
- Victor Gonzalez:
- Overview: A left-handed pitcher with some experience in high-leverage situations, Gonzalez brings solid stuff and could be used as a left-handed specialist.
- Role: He could continue to serve as the primary lefty out of the bullpen for the Dodgers.
- Caleb Ferguson:
- Overview: Ferguson, like Scott, is a left-handed option. While Ferguson’s stuff is slightly less overpowering than Scott’s, he has a solid track record of success. Ferguson has been able to generate ground balls and keep hitters off balance.
- Role: Ferguson will likely serve as a lefty specialist or a middle-reliever. His consistency in getting left-handed hitters out is key to his role.
- Blake Treinen:
- Overview: Treinen has been an integral part of the Dodgers bullpen for a few years now. With his high velocity and devastating slider, he can be a closer or setup man. However, he has dealt with injuries that have limited his appearances in recent seasons.
- Role: When healthy, Treinen is one of the most dominant relievers in the game and could slot into a high-leverage role, potentially even as a closer.
- Alex Vesia:
- Overview: Another lefty, Vesia brings excellent strikeout potential and had a strong 2023 campaign. He continues to improve, and his ability to shut down left-handed hitters makes him a key bullpen piece.
- Role: Vesia could be used in a variety of situations, including as a lefty specialist or a key setup man.
- Daniel Hudson:
- Overview: Hudson brings a wealth of experience to the bullpen and has the ability to be a high-leverage option. His fastball-slider combination makes him a tough out in late innings.
- Role: When fully healthy, Hudson will be a key setup man or potential closer.
The Sacrifice: Who’s at Risk?
Now that we’ve established the current bullpen makeup and the new additions of Scott and Yates, the question remains: who will be sacrificed? The Dodgers will likely keep a set number of relievers to maximize their bullpen depth, so at least one current member will need to be moved out of the equation.
Let’s analyze the potential candidates for being left off the 26-man roster.
1. Caleb Ferguson
- Reason for Risk: Ferguson’s biggest hurdle to remaining in the bullpen is the sheer number of left-handed options. With Scott, Vesia, and Gonzalez already in the fold, Ferguson may not have the same specialized role he once did. If the Dodgers feel they need more right-handed depth or if other lefties (Scott or Vesia) outperform him in spring training, Ferguson could be the odd man out.
- Outcome: If the Dodgers choose to prioritize versatility and performance in spring training, Ferguson could find himself on the outside looking in, especially if they believe other arms can cover the left-handed matchups.
2. Victor Gonzalez
- Reason for Risk: While Gonzalez has been a dependable lefty option, the acquisition of Scott adds more depth to the left-handed side of the bullpen. If the Dodgers are looking for a more reliable high-leverage option, Gonzalez may fall out of favor, especially if his performance doesn’t match the other relievers’.
- Outcome: Gonzalez could be at risk of being traded or sent down to the minors if other lefties like Scott or Vesia emerge as the better options.
3. Yency Almonte
- Reason for Risk: Almonte has been effective in his role, but he isn’t exactly a dominant strikeout pitcher. The Dodgers could decide that they need a reliever with more upside or better control in high-leverage situations. If the new additions like Scott and Yates perform well, Almonte could be squeezed out of the bullpen mix.
- Outcome: Almonte might be a candidate for a minor league assignment or a trade if the Dodgers decide to go in a different direction.
4. Daniel Hudson
- Reason for Risk: Hudson’s injury history is a significant factor here. While he has the potential to be an elite setup man when healthy, the Dodgers could be wary of counting on him for an entire season, especially after recent injury setbacks. If he doesn’t show enough in spring training or struggles with injuries, the Dodgers could opt to go with more reliable and healthy arms.
- Outcome: Hudson’s spot on the roster could be in jeopardy if the Dodgers want to ensure they have 100% reliability out of the bullpen.
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