Looking to bolster their bullpen, the Los Angeles Dodgers took a flier on former Oakland Athletics closer Blake Treinen, who who was coming off an injury-ridden 2019 season.
The right-hander struggled to the tune of a 4.91 ERA in 57 appearances but was only one year removed from a dominant 2018 campaign in which he posted a minuscule 0.78 ERA with 38 saves. Treinen somewhat unexpectedly became available when the A’s non-tendered him.
He considered the disappointing 2019 season an outlier and was willing to sign a one-year, prove-it contract to back that stance. Shortly after joining the Dodgers, he expressed confidence in the “game plan” the club had to get him back on track.
While Treinen never quite returned to his previous All-Star form, he still turned in a solid 2020 season. In 27 games, he went 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA, 3.15 FIP and 1.21 WHIP across 25.2 innings pitched.
Treinen’s strikeouts per nine were down from the previous year, but he also lowered his walks and home runs. He was included on all four of the Dodgers’ postseason rosters but had mixed results.
Over the first two rounds, Treinen did not allow a run in four appearances. However, he would go on to post a 6.75 ERA in both the National League Championship Series and World Series.
2020 highlight
Coming off a tough loss in Game 4 of the World Series that saw Kenley Jansen blow a save against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Dodgers decided to go in another direction the following contest.
Rather than give the ball back to Jansen in consecutive days, the club sent Treinen to the mound to record the final three outs. He gave up a single and nothing else, striking out two in a scoreless ninth to earn the save.
Treinen was grateful that the Dodgers entrusted him to close out the Rays in Game 5. “It’s the biggest stage, biggest game of my career,” he said after the contest.
“I think any time someone is here and you face a quality team, they’ve been so tough late on our guys, and our guys have grinded so hard. We’ve pitched really well, I think. In the playoffs we forget how locked in people are because it’s do or die.
“That meant a lot to me personally, because this team has invested a lot into me. They bring me on for big outs, and it’s gratifying. It means a lot to be able to do that for this organization. Those guys work really hard offensively, defensively, front office, bullpen, everything. It means a lot.”
2021 outlook
Treinen was one of seven Dodgers players who reached free agency the morning after the World Series concluded. After establishing himself as an important member of the bullpen this past season, a return would certainly make sense for both sides.
Whether that happens will depend on a number of factors. Pedro Baez is a free agent as well, and if he signs elsewhere, L.A. could make keeping Treinen more of a priority.
Improving the bullpen remains a focus of the Dodgers, even after acquiring former Milwaukee Brewers closer Corey Knebel. The club is also said to have interest in former Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand and Treinen’s former A’s teammate, Liam Hendriks
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