The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen was one of the top units in MLB during the 2024 season and was one of the team’s greatest strengths. Their 3.53 ERA was fourth in the Majors and their 648 innings thrown ranked fifth.
The bullpen without a doubt was the strength of the pitching staff during the postseason as the Dodgers required heavy usage out of their relievers due to a lack of starting pitchers.
In a group that featured the likes of Blake Treinen and Evan Phillips, as well as newcomers such as Anthony Banda and Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia was arguably the Dodgers’ most valuable reliever in 2024.
Not only was he extremely effective, but he was also active for the entire regular season and most of the postseason. Vesia’s availability was especially invaluable in a season that was filled with injuries for the Dodgers, particularly on the pitching side of things.
There is a likely possibility that Vesia will stick around in L.A. for the next two seasons at the very least after agreeing to a new contract with the Dodgers to avoid arbitration. The new deal includes a club option for 2026.
With Blake Treinen’s new two-year contract, the entire group from last season is returning for 2025, aside from Ryan Brasier and Daniel Hudson. But the Dodgers continued to add to this group as they gear up in pursuit of a repeat championship.
The additions of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates not only gives the Dodgers flexibility in terms of having six players with experience closing out games, but it is also extremely well balanced in terms of right-handers and left-handers.
“The versatility that we’re going to be able to have, we’ve got, like, five closers,” Vesia said. “And I’m not even including myself in that. We’re all over the place in regards to talent in the bullpen. It’s definitely a very, very interesting group. Doc is going to be able to pick pieces out and have a good time fitting us in lanes.
“I’m actually really interested to see. We’re going to be good. We’re going to be really good.”
The combination of Vesia and Scott gives the Dodgers the best left-handed reliever duo in baseball, along with Banda as an additional solid option. While on the other side, the group of Treinen, Kopech, Phillips, Yates, and eventually Graterol is as good as there is in the Majors.
Alex Vesia’s reaction to Dodgers’ bullpen additions
The moves the Dodgers made this offseason, particularly in the bullpen, has Vesia juiced about what this new group can accomplish in 2025.
“I was hyped. That was awesome,” Vesia said. “To add a couple more pieces, it only makes our bullpen stronger. I talked with Scott for a little while, and he seems like a great guy. Evan’s got a little bit more friendship, so he had good things to say about him. The dawgs will be ready to go. I’ll tell you that.”
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