The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to have a busy offseason with a need for starting pitching and outfielders, and they are also surely going to be involved in the bidding for Shohei Ohtani, who just may be their top target.
But before they get to that point, the Dodgers faced decisions on their players with club options, including Max Muncy, Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson and Alex Reyes. The process began with Muncy, who was signed a two-year contract extension, while Lynn, Hudson, Kelly and Reyes had theirs declined.
However, the Dodgers exercised Treinen’s option for 2024 to keep him under contract, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
#Dodgers declined the club options on Alex Reyes, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and Daniel Hudson. They picked up Blake Treinen’s.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) November 5, 2023
Unlike some deals, Treinen’s option did not include a buyout, which would have easily removed him from the Dodgers’ payroll. His total salary was based on the time he missed in 2022 and 2023.
The move to exercise Treinen’s contract option is surprising due to recent health issues. In November 2022, Treinen underwent surgery to repair the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Due to the uncertainty with his shoulder, the Dodgers signed Treinen to an extension for the 2023 season that included the option for 2024. He previously had a club option for the 2023 season.
Although Treinen was one of the Dodgers’ best relievers when healthy, the 35-year-old missed the entire 2023 season and pitched only five innings in 2022.
Treinen began a rehab assignment late this year but was considered a long shot to return before he was ultimately shut down with shoulder soreness.
Over three seasons in four years with the Dodgers, Treinen pitched in 104 games, throwing 103 innings with a 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 113 strikeouts and eight saves.
His best season with the club came in 2021 when he threw 72.1 innings with a 1.99 ERA, striking out 85 hitters with a 0.98 WHIP.
Value of Blake Treinen’s contract option
When the Dodgers signed Treinen to a contract extension, the option for 2024 was conditional and based on how much he pitched this season. The value reportedly ranged from $1 million to $7 million.
Considering he never made it back onto a Major League mound this year, it’s presumed Treinen’s salary for 2024 is on the lower end.
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