The Los Angeles Dodgers made their first meaningful signing of free agency on Wednesday by reportedly coming to terms with Miguel Rojas on a one-year, $5.5 million contract. But outside of that, they have been relatively quiet.
While there’s yet to be much movement with position players, teams have aggressively targeted pitchers. Dylan Cease was the first big-name free agent to sign with a team, joining the World Series runner-up Toronto Blue Jays on a seven-year, $210 million contract.
But it has been the reliever market in particular that has seen the most action, with Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley and Devin Williams all signing new contracts.
It’s left the reliever-needy Dodgers with fewer options, but there are still impact players available in free agency.
Edwin Díaz remains a plausible option, but the Dodgers are unlikely to meet his financial demands. That seemingly would leave Robert Suarez as the best relief pitcher in free agency who also could fit within their spending plans. With that, the Dodgers reportedly have interest in Suarez.
Meanwhile, former Tampa Bay Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks is also available, but the Dodgers still don’t appear to have interest, according to Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of the Athletic:
Pete Fairbanks remains on the market at likely a lesser price than Suarez, but the Dodgers have not been engaged on that front.
Although early reports predicted the Dodgers would have interest in Fairbanks, more recent indications are contradictory.
Since the start of the 2020 season, Fairbanks ranks 15th in FIP (2.95), 16th in WAR (5.5) and saves (88), 17th in strikeouts per nine (11.2) and 19th in ERA (2.90) among relief pitchers with at least 200 innings.
The Dodgers reportedly did have interest in acquiring Fairbanks at the trade deadline this year, but the Rays ultimately decided to keep their closer.
Dodgers focused on Robert Suarez?
The Dodgers’ reported interest in Suarez includes a preference for a shorter-term deal. The right-handed closer will be 35 years old on Opening Day.
Suarez has just four years of MLB experience, all with the San Diego Padres, after pitching in Japan from 2018-2021.
Over the past two seasons, Suarez tallied 76 saves with 11 blown saves in 135 appearances with a 2.87 ERA. He has also struck out 25.4% of hitters while walking 6.1%, and successfully limited home runs.
Without meaningful additions, the Dodgers bullpen will enter the 2026 season as a significant question mark.
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