While the Los Angeles Dodgers were quiet at the Winter Meetings, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman revealed that upgrading the bullpen is among the club’s biggest priorities this offseason.
General manager Farhan Zaidi later echoed that sentiment, though the front office has downplayed the notion that the Dodgers would shell out a hefty contract to one of the top relievers still available on the market, such as Wade Davis, Greg Holland or Addison Reed.
While many free-agent relievers have come off the board in recent days, the Dodgers are reportedly considering adding Japan’s Yoshihisa Hirano to the fold.
The combination of Tony Cingrani and Yimi Garcia also figures to help offset the departure of former setup man Brandon Morrow, who’s signed with the Chicago Cubs.
Another candidate to help fill the void may be Yimi Garcia, who last pitched on a Major League mound in 2016 due to undergoing Tommy John surgery. Despite the layoff, Friedman and the Dodgers are confident in Garcia’s ability to be effective upon returning, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Yimi Garcia “is coming back with a vengeance” in 2018, one Dodgers official said.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) December 1, 2017
Andrew Friedman confirms that Yimi Garcia is expected to return “with a vengeance.”
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) December 11, 2017
In 75 innings over parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, Garcia owns a lifetime 3.12 ERA. He has additionally posted a 3.31 FIP and 0.95 WHIP, with 81 strikeouts against 12 walks.
Garcia has just one season under his belt where he logged over 50 innings, which came back in 2015, when he pitched 56.2 innings. During that year, he yielded a 3.34 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 0.95 WHIP and recorded 68 strikeouts while issuing just 10 walks.
