There is definitely a need for the Dodgers to add at least one very good back-end of the pen arm. Some have suggested that they sign former Padre, Robert Suarez. Suarez has been estimated to get a contract for 3/36 million dollars. The Dodgers could use him in tandem with Tanner Scott as a lefty-righty close combo. Of course, there will be a lot of competition for his services.
Lately, there has been some chatter on the internet, mostly about their interest in Devin Williams, the former Brewer and Yankee. I could see them kicking the tires on him for sure. There was also some chatter on MLBTR about them looking at Raisel Iglesias, the former Angel and Brave.
Barring some unforeseen trade or release, we know that Scott, Treinen, Vesia, Banda, Caspairus, Dreyer, Graterol, Henriquez, Hurt, Klein, and Ortiz will all be reporting to Arizona as relievers come February. Even Phillips is not expected back until sometime during the season as is Brock Stewart.
Justin Wrobleski showed a lot as a reliever during the World Series and possibly could be a bullpen option. Sasaki was the closer for a while, but I have to believe he is back in the mix as a starter for 26. That being said, Friedman has loaded up on relief pitchers every year he has been running the team.
Some have been successful. Others, not so much. I am at this point pretty sure that the powers that be expect Tanner Scott to have a much better 26. Yates had his moments, but for the most part was nowhere near the pitcher he was in 24.
Some fans are hoping the Dodgers bring back Kenley Jansen. Jansen turns 39 next September. He was 5-4 with a 2.59 ERA and 29 saves for a very pitiful Angels team. Could he possibly repeat that kind of performance with the Dodgers?
Considering he was paid just $10 million for his work, he would not be very expensive. Guys like Diaz and Suarez are going to cost a lot more than that. Diaz is supposedly asking for a 5-year deal. Doubtful after the Scott experience that the Dodgers would go for that.
The upside of using kids like Klein and Henriquez is that they are both young and cheap compared to free-agent relievers. I do not watch the affiliates as much as I probably should. I did watch several games this season for OKC. But to tell the truth, I have no idea who Ortiz is.
So, I looked up his stats. Ortiz will turn 26 years old in January. He has been in the Dodger system since 2017. He pitched in 6 games in 2021 for Great Lakes. He did not pitch again until 2024. Obviously, although I cannot find any information on it, he had some injury.
He pitched in 6 games for Rancho in 24. Last season, he pitched at three levels: Great Lakes, Tulsa, and OKC. He had a combined 5-2 record with a 2.78 ERA and four saves. The Dodgers have placed some value on the young lefty. If healthy, he will get a long look in spring training.
LA might check in on some of the more interesting names out there in free agency. Tyler Rogers, Pete Fairbanks, Taylor Rogers, Gregory Soto. There is a lot to choose from. It is going to be an exciting offseason watching Andrew rebuild his bullpen and add quality to a two-time champion.
What most of us do understand is that relievers can be great one year and stink up the joint the next. Not so long ago, many Dodger fans were very displeased with the performance of Kenley Jansen. Especially some of his post-season work was less than inspiring.
Whoever they choose will come under intense scrutiny from fans. LA loves a winner. When the team pays you as much to do a job as they did Scott, you can expect to hear it from them when you fail miserably. I sincerely hope Scott does not hear as many boos next season.
I prefer Fairbanks from the Rays. NO Qualifying Offer and I’m sure AF knows his background being from his former organization.
Edwin Williams has the QO attached – Devin Williams, Fairbanks, and Suarez do not.
Kenley Jansen performed well for a team on which he was under no pressure. I have always wondered about him in crunch time under bright lights.
You mean Devin Williams of the Yankees has a QO. Who is Edwin Williams?
Sorry, I meant Edwin Diaz!
Kenley is one year older than Kirby Yates. The Angels paid Kenley $10 m, while Yates got $13million. Dumb money.
Kenely was excellent in ’25–and was excellent for many years with the Dodgers, though he often made fans (including me) nervous.
If there’s truly no such thing as a bad one-year contract (cough, Yates and cough, Conforto), then Kenley makes a lot of sense.
But I get the impression that Friedman and/or Roberts and/or Kenley may carry some issues that will keep them apart. Don’t know for sure–just an impression. (Seriously, the Dodgers could have tried to bring back Kenley last summer–and they wound up with Brock Stewart instead.)
Anyway, my tea leaves tell me that Devin Williams will be a Dodger. And so will one of the Rogers twins–the submarine thrower who generates a lot of soft contact and grounders. That’s an undervalued talent.
Committing to a couple of strong, veteran FA relievers could make it a bit easier to include a pitcher or two in a trade a package if the Dodgers decide to shop.
Good with a losing team doesn’t often translate to good with a perennial winner.
I hope you are referring to Tanner Scott and not Kenley.
If a closer converts 29 out of 30 saves opportunies for a losing team, he might get 40-45 chances with a winner.
Apparently you are of the opinion that he would close at the same rate. I challenge that.
I don’t see any way Kenley comes back to the Dodgers he’s chasing 500 saves. They insisted on Scott as a closer but I think the front office prefers to use a committee for closer. They won a WS title in ‘24 without a closer and just pitched their best in leverage situations and used whoever was available to close out a game.
Tanner Scott led the majors in blown saves after getting a big, fat contract. Is he a guy who was better off playing for a second-division team? Certainly we all hope he’ll do better in ’26.
As I’ve mentioned, I suspect that there may be personal issues that would preclude a reunion with Kenley. History and baggage of some sort; just my conjecture. If not, I think we’d hear more buzz about a reunion.
But by any measure Kenley was one of the game’s best relievers in ’25, converting 29 saves in 30 chances on a $10 million contract with the Angels–$3 million less than the Dodgers paid Kirby Yates, who bombed like Scott. Kenley’s ERA was inflated by one atrocious outing. Maybe Arte Moreno wouldn’t deal with the Dodgers–but Kenley would have been a much better summer acquisition than Brock Stewart.
I don’t know if Kenley is chasing 500 saves, but his ’25 season certainly enhanced his HOF application. I see no reason why any contender who needs bullpen help wouldn’t take a chance on Kenley–any contender except maybe the Dodgers, that is. I assume that, like most elite players approaching 40, he is more interested in winning a championship than racking up stats.
And he’ll rack up more saves, obviously, if he played for a winning team, not a charity case like the Angels.
BTW, Roberts has not alway favored a “closer by committee.” It all depends on the personnel. He used Kenley as a closer, and later we all suffered through the decline of Craig Kimbrel.
love kenley, but don’t want him back now. his time is almost up. if a closer is signed it should be be a younger guy. with trienan there that would be 2 38 year old relievers. fairbanks is the best buy available, grab him!
hey bear, you got any cd’s?
Of me? I made some before I had this new computer. I think I have one somewhere I can burn with me singing some tunes and a couple I wrote. A friend of mine has his own website and two songs I wrote are on there. Go to garyandmaureenshoe.com. Go to songs, it will show Arroyo records and when you run the cursor on that it will show Bear Tracks with the 2 songs I wrote, Don’t Look Down on Me and Satisfied along with Porch Pickers. A recording we made while jamming a few years ago.
i’ll check it out! i’m sure it’s good!
I don’t know if it would be likely, or how likely, to bring Harper from Philadelphia. Apparently, there have been rumors, and he’s not happy there anymore, but maybe they’re just rumors. I suppose he can still play the outfield, and I don’t know how high his price is per season, but eventually, when the prospects are ready, he could move to first base when Freeman leaves. Although in that case, I prefer Bellinger, even though I’m not a fan of bringing back former players, for the same reason, and definitely not Kenley back.
Bryce Harper will be 34 next year.
His GM (Dave Dumbrowski) thinks he is in decline. So do lots of others.
Hard no!
I think Harper’s playing 1B because he can’t move like he used to due to injuries. The Angels have moved Trout from CF to RF… but how long before he becomes a full-time DH?
Harper’s younger than Freddie… but I bet he can’t do the worm like Freddie!
I expect a bounce-back season from Harper.
At any rate, the Dodgers should be trying to get younger.
Longenhagen chat:
Kate: Do you think the Dodgers hold onto Rushing and relegate him to a backup role again in 2026? Would seem like he’d provide them more value in a trade for someone who can contribute more, no? Or do they find other ways to get him into the lineup next year?
Eric A Longenhagen: I think I’d try to trade him
Farhandrew Zaidman: any shot Alex Freeland sticks at SS long term, or is he just Muncy’s replacement after next year?
Eric A Longenhagen: If moving Mookie back to the OF helps him hit like Mookie again, just make Freeland your SS
On the 40 man crunch:
Trade Candidates: Alex Freeland, Dalton Rushing, the depth starters in Los Angeles who have mid-rotation upside elsewhere
The Dodgers are reportedly done adding to the 40-man from their internal depth. There wasn’t much upward pressure left, as most of the system’s best players still have runway. Noah Miller could be plucked to be some club’s utility infielder. Jose Rodriguez and R. Yean are perhaps the most vulnerable relievers in an Rule 5 context; the former’s slider and the latter’s arm strength put them atop a long list of bullpen guys who throw hard with little feel for the zone.
The Dodgers could lose all three… and get all three back!
There’s a fresh report that Rushing could see some action in LF to get more consistent ABs…..
I need an eye-rolling emoji for that one.
Both Ward and Rushing should have played some LF last season instead of Conforto.
Hey Bear. i listened to your song Don’t look down on me!! that’s a great song! that could easily be a song in a movie soundtrack, i’m very impressed. that’s the only one i can find. Always wished i could sing. my oldest son can really sing. but he uses his voice for sports radio. I guess we sometimes don’t know the person we communicate with on social media and how much they deserve our respect and support for what they have done for our country. We can disagree about trades and free agents but never on how much men like you mean to our country! God bless you and keep us all curious about your next post!! Once again, fantastic song!
Amen!
I have listened to it before.
Thanks, I really appreciate it. When you see Bear Tracks, 3 songs show up. You can click on the song you want to hear. I wrote that song as a tribute to all of the homeless Vets and Viet Nam era vets who were so looked down on when they came home. Even though I served during that era, I was extremely lucky that I was never sent to Nam. I went to Korea and Germany instead. But I experienced the disdain when I came home from Korea.
I guess I am a minority of 1. I think we have enough choices for relievers and who is to say that someone new might just be another Tanner Scott. We have a bezillion pitchers signed. Lets concentrate on the Outfield
I’m throwing it out there. The Dodgers big move is for a youngish, 1st contract SS/2B
Rushing is moved with others and Betts goes to 2B if needed.
Who?
Masyn Winn of the Cards just won the GG. Fantastic range and arm . I could see the Dodgers dealing for him and moving Mookie to 2B.
The Cards are in a sale-and-rebuild mode. If they can get a few good pieces for Winn, they might be willing.
On the other hand, I suspect Mookie doesn’t want to give SS just yet…
No clue who.
Maybe the Pirates prospect? CJ Abrams? The Rockies kid? Maybe Henderson out of Baltimore, who are rebuilding. Colt Emerson? Really no clue who, just need youth on the IF, and Rushing is a wasted asset as currently configured.
I don’t think the Cards kid hits enough.
Henderson is a cornerstone for the O’s, so I think we can rule him out.
I’m content with Mookie at SS for now. He proved he can play the position at a high level, and I think his slump had more to do with his early-season illness than his position switch.
Given their ages, I think we may need to worry first about successors for Max and Freddie before we worry about one for Mookie.
But certainly the brass should prepare for when Mookie moves to 2B.
There are a couple of young SS prospects who are a few years away. Perhaps his successor is already in the pipeline.
He wants another shot at GG at short.
Cardinals might be selling, but Winn? Not a chance. Most talked about possibility is Brendan Donovan who plays 2B and has been garnering a lot of interest. They also are trying to see if there is a fit that Arenado would approve.
who you got in mind? mookie may not want to move. he’s earned that right. i still wouldn’t mind bichette to play second! if mookie needs a break, slide bichette over to shortstop.
If the dodgers aren’t sure tanner scott will bounce back, they need to get a high leverage reliever not named jansen, diaz, or williams. that leaves suarez and fairbanks.
looks as if mattingly will end up in philly. After all his son is there.
i see all the “trade”. rushing rumors and comments. ok. who’s the backup now that Ben R. is gone? better keep him in dodger blue! remember mike piazza?
Could Kike’s surgery mean they sign him and stow him away most of the first half of the season? They know how to play the game!
watch. all the outfielders we are discussing here won’t even sniff LA! they will probably bring in somebody who we would never expect! look for the mets to get one of the ones we covet? probably bellinger if they lose alonzo.
speaking of the mets, i will bet someone that Tarik Skrubal ends up in a met uniform! Tiger’s wont trade him and won’t be able to resign him. Steve Cohen will not be outbid for his services.
how about them broncos!!!
The Mariners and Dodgers each announced that Seattle has acquired left-hander Robinson Ortiz in exchange for minor league right-hander Tyler Gough.
“The Mariners and Dodgers each announced that Seattle has acquired left-hander Robinson Ortiz in exchange for minor league right-hander Tyler Gough.
Gough was a ninth-round pick for the Mariners in the 2022 draft, and he posted a 4.66 ERA over 125 2/3 innings at A-level Modesto in 2023-24, starting 32 of his 33 career games. A Tommy John surgery in September 2024 has since kept Gough off the mound, though the usual TJ recovery timeline should put the right-hander in line to be ready for a healthy Spring Training come February”.
I believe it opens up a spot on the 40 man roster which now stands at 38.
Why all the talk about 2B? You got Edmonds and Kim, a GG at SS and 2B in Korea on the roster. Kim really hasn’t had a fair audition and Tommy just had surgery. Both have good speed and good base running abilities. Either could be leadoff guys s and put Ohtani where he belongs, hitting where he can get two RBIs instead of one. Just saying we don’t need another 2B, but we need another 3B to spell Max. Maybe Freeland or convert one of the OF prospects, someone who could take over 3B in a year or two. Maybe the spring will give us a clue.
Its Edman and he won a Gold Glove at 2nd, not SS. Mookie won all of his in-RF. Kim is a superior fielder, who has yet to prove he can consistently hit MLB pitching. Edman’s value is in his versatility. Doubtful LA would consider him the everyday 2nd baseman.
was reading an article just this morning suggesting the dodgers really are interested in the cardinals brendon donovan. He can play second,shortstop, first, and left field. solid player who isn’t a superstar, but a versatile player who can play all these positions at a high level, and is a good hitter. Sound like the dodgers crave another super utility player. With kike going under the knife, he would slide right in to the rotation. The only problem is Teo. They can’t leave him in right field, can they? Teo is really a great guy! He’s been an extremely productive player for the last 2 seasons. But his defense in right field is only going to get worse with him being another year older. But another question is this. How much better can he be in left? He would be the perfect DH, but the dodgers already have a decent one of those! It’s going to be so much fun this offseason! if they sign one of tucker or bellinger or trade for Kwan, does Teo get moved? it would be a difficult decision, but one that might have to be made.
BA top ten out
Zach Root!
FWIW, Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation has joined the Buxton bandwagon, while dissing Tucker as allegedly “having some Rendon in his game.”
Harsh. The comment may be unfair, but Rendon is a cautionary tale: Be careful what you wish for. Even the most coveted free agents who sign megacontracts can wind up crapping the bed. (I will also note that some hyped “top prospects” turn out to be Diego Cartaya.)
So that is another reason why a deal for Buxton, under contract for $45 million over the next three years, may make more sense than than committing $360 million (or whatever) for 10 years of Tucker. By dealing for Buxton, the Dodgers could minimize some of their payroll risk and luxury tax while preserve some roster flexibility for prospects like Hope, Quintero, de Paula and Sirota.
McKain also made this important point: With his no-trade clause, Buxton can control his destination. Of course I expect that Buxton would prefer to join the champs that, say, the Mets or any other team that might want his services.
My sense is that the Twins ownership are rebuilding and also hoping to deal two quality starters. That means the Twins would be likely be seeking want young, proven, controllable pitching (like Sheehan, Casparius, Wrobleski) in a deal for Buxton. Pitching depth is a strength of the Dodgers.
The Twins, I think, would have no interest in Teo’s contract, but might be intrigued by the power of Ryan Ward or the speed of Kendall George.
The Red Sox, however, might love Teo’s bat and upbeat personality at Fenway. So after dealing for Buxton, the Dodgers could turn around and deal for Jarron Duran.
Just for grins, consider this lineup:
Shohei
Mookie
Freddie
Buxton
Max
Smith
Duran
Pages
Kim/Edman
If the OF — and payroll — is remodeled by trade, the front office could put $$$ towards a couple of relievers and sand perhaps a guy like Murakami or Okimato. Worried about Buxton’s health? Sign Bader as 4th outfielder.
I find it interesting that Tucker is assigned the Rendon tag but the proposed alternative is Buxton. Tucker has missed time the last couple of seasons due to injuries; however, Buxton has been plagued by injuries his entire career. Buxton possesses a lifetime OPS of .795 and is entering the latter part of his career.
I have no idea why McKain dissed Kyle Tucker. But I do know that Buxton was a No. 2 overall draft pick whose talent has never been doubted even as his career has been riddled by injuries.
Plus, Buxton just had his best season ever, and at age 31, he remains one of the fastest players in the game. When healthy, he’s a high-quality, 5-tool centerfielder. An OF that reads Teo-Buxton-Pages could be awesome.
Is the injury risk behind him? Nope. But is he worth risk? Definitely. He is owed only $45 million over the next three seasons, while Tucker is expected to sign a long-term contract with more than double the AAV of Buxton’s $15 million. That would free up $$$ for other acquisitions and contract extensions.
With so many young OF prospects in the system–Hope, DePaula, Quintero, Sirota, etc–the Dodgers would benefit from the flexiblity of shorter-term contract with Buxton than a long-term commitment to Tucker.
If Buxton gets hurt, well… that can happen to any player, can’t it? But the Dodgers are so deep and versatile they could adjust better than most teams. They are the champs, after all.
He has played 100 games or more just 3 times in 11 years, and he is now 32. No thanks.
But Buxton is relatively inexpensive and just had his best season–probably his healthiest season.
Yes, he is injury prone–but the Dodgers have the depth to manage the risk.
If the Dodgers do nothing to upgrade the OF, they can put Pages in CF, Teo in RF and Call/Ward in LF.
A simple upgrade would be to sign Bader for CF, move Pages to RF and Teo to LF.
It would also be simple to write a big fat check for Tucker. Simple but very expensive and kind of boring.
The bolder upgrade is to acquire Buxton, which could improve both the offense and defense while containing the payroll and luxury tax.
Get Buxton, and he bats cleanup. Get Bader, and he bats 8th or 9th.
To mitigate the risk, Dodgers might be able to get both Buxton and Bader.
The other top FA outfielders are Belli and Grisham, who would command salaries much larger than Buxton’s. The trade market probably includes Kwan, Taylor Ward, Jarren Duran and maybe Wilyer Abreu.
love kim & edman! but i have a feeling that tommy might not be 100 % to start the season. i also have a feeling, that kim,( depending on spring training), might start 2026 in the minors to work on his hitting. while he had some big hits during his time in the majors, he also had some really bad swings. Same for Freeland. Duly noted that the dodgers had a high powered offense at times. Duly noted they also had a “dud” of an offense quite a bit of the time too! Don’t forget Max. He can carry them, and he can bury them. The team needs a bit of an upgrade in the lineup as far as contact. …. Byron Buxton? why not? injuries! Why ? he’s a special player when healthy! They could always move him to right and leave Pages in center. 3 years as posted earlier? not a bad gamble.
I’m hoping the dodgers don’t rest on their laurels and stay quiet during the offseason. i’ve read that gomes said they might be a little quiet. winning 2 in a row is so sweet! winning 3 would be heavenly! It won’t take much to get back to the finals. A tucker, or a bellinger, a donovan, a kwan, a buxton, a bichette, a suarez, a fairbanks! 1 position player, and 1 reliever and they’re set! But they need to be impactful! Maybe like i said yesterday, it’s someone we don’t expect. But it’s going to be interesting!
Baseball America’s Josh Norris is hosting a chat at 2 p.m. ET to discuss Quintero and the overall state of Los Angeles’ farm system.
How was it?
Dodgers Best Tools
Best Hitter: Mike Sirota
Best Power Hitter: Josue De Paula
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Josue De Paula
Fastest Baserunner: Kendall George
Best Athlete: Mike Sirota
Best Fastball: Adam Serwinowski
Best Curveball: Peter Heubeck
Best Slider: Patrick Copen
Best Changeup: Ryan Brown
Best Control: Christian Zazueta
Best Defensive Catcher: Gio Cueto
Best Defensive Infielder: Noah Miller
Best Infield Arm: Emil Morales
Best Defensive Outfielder: Eduardo Quintero
Best Outfield Arm: Landyn Vidourek
2026 Dodgers Top 10 Prospects:
You rule
Hope fell
Davalan rose
Root’s ranking is aggressive
As is Harlan’s
Lots of offense
Cool stuff…. Thanks, Mark.
A whole lot of movement here. Pretty great that the Lux deal brought back two top prospects in Sirota and Davalan.
From the raves I’ve read, I am not surprised to see Quintero’s name rise to the top. Could he be the Dodgers’ next star from Mexico?
Five of the ten here are outfielders–and the new guy Tibbs isn’t one of them. Neither are Ryan Ward and Kendall George.
This surplus of OF talent practically cries out for a trade.
Other than Freeland and maybe Ferris, Mike Sirota might be the first one to the dance!
I wonder if the new LH with the hard to spell name is #11. Serwin something . . .
Adam Serwinowski
BA’s Projected 2029 Dodgers Lineup
Catcher: Will Smith (35)
First Base: Dalton Rushing (29)
Second Base: Tommy Edman (34)
Third Base: Alex Freeland (28)
Shortstop: Mookie Betts (37)
Left Field: Josue De Paula (25)
Center Field: Eduardo Quintero (23)
Right Field: Andy Pages (28)
Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani (36)
No. 1 Starter: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (31)
No. 2 Starter: Blake Snell (37)
No. 3 Starter: Shohei Ohtani (36)
No. 4 Starter: Roki Sasaki (27)
No. 5 Starter: Emmet Sheehan (29)
Closer: Edgardo Henriquez (27)
HA. fun reading. Would bet that at least 60% INCORRECT
Alex Freeland i say noway, 3rd will be Emil Morales,and the 5th starter will be Stone
Fun stuff. With all respect to Freeland, I think both Morales and Harlan have more upside.
So does Murakami….
As for the No. 1 starter, Yamamoto might be edged out by Skubal.
Never say never.
If he is, then a lot of those players are not there anymore – they are in Detroit!
I also think Morales will man 3B.
Byron Buxton will not be a Dodger. I am no baseball savant like many of you, but I have noticed certain quite definitive tendencies in our front office moves . One of the more hard requirements is OBP. Buxton is a career .308 OBP. He will not be a Dodger. Tucker is more expensive for a reason
Depends on the price. Swapping Pages for him moves one low OBP guy from the lineup. Never say never.
BANG!
Does Gleyber Torres make sense?
No – he’s a punk!
From The Athletic:
If the Tigers decide to trade Tarik Skubal, L.A. could offer Sheehan, Wrobleski, and one of their top two outfield prospects, Zyhir Hope or Josue De Paula.
I think it would take both Hope and DePaula!
QO day. Players must accept or decline. MLBTR thinks Torres will be the only player who accepts it. Winter meetings approaching fast.