The Los Angeles Dodgers erased an eight-game deficit to the San Francisco Giants this season to win their fourth consecutive National League West title. They were aided by the Giants going from the best team in baseball in the first half of the season, to one of the worst teams in the second half.
The Giants’ collapse was in large part due to their shaky bullpen that consistently blew leads over the final months of the regular season. San Francisco’s relievers had a combined 3.65 ERA that ranked 15th, and their 30 blown saves were the most in baseball.
The Giants, looking to upgrade their bullpen this offseason, agreed to a four-year contract with closer Mark Melancon. While it solves one issue, getting the ball to Melancon remains of importance.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, among the options the Giants reportedly have some level of interest in is J.P. Howell:
Lefty reliever J.P. Howell is looking for a one-year deal, teams say. Giants are among teams that have asked about him.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 5, 2016
Howell had a 1-1 record to go along with a 4.09 ERA, 3.50 FIP and 1.40 WHIP in 64 appearances (50.2 innings) with the Dodgers this season. He had 44 strikeouts in 15 walks in what was his fourth year with the club.
Howell exercised his $6.25 million player option to remain with Los Angeles in 2016. The 33-year-old endured a down season and lost his role due to inconsistency and the emergence of Grant Dayton.
One aspect Howell can hang his hat on is durability, as he appeared in at least 64 games in each of the past four seasons. From 2013-16, he posted ERAs of 2.03, 2.39 and 1.43. Considering their group of young relievers in the organization, the Dodgers aren’t believed to have interest in re-signing Howell.
