The Los Angeles Dodgers have enjoyed a remarkably successful offseason as they prepare to defend their World Series title and are poised to head into the 2025 season with a roster that on paper is an improvement from last year’s group.
However, with that has come a roster crunch. That is especially true in their bullpen with reported agreements to sign Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.
The Dodgers will gain much-needed flexibility once players begin reporting to Spring Training and teams can start utilizing the 60-day injured list. But that still won’t fully alleviate the impending logjam, and the Dodgers reportedly are exploring trade scenarios.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers trading Ryan Brasier is one of the possibilities:
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who need to clear space on their 40-man roster for their new and pending additions, are shopping some of their surplus to teams, including veteran Ryan Brasier, who is owed $4.5 million this year.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 22, 2025
Chris Taylor has been speculated as a potential trade candidate as well due to having just one year remaining on his contract, struggles over recent years and an expectation the Dodgers will re-sign Kiké Hernández.
James Outman conceivably is another player the Dodgers could look to trade as it appears Tommy Edman and Andy Pages are their top choices to play center field.
Meanwhile, Brasier could be the odd man out in a Dodgers bullpen that is expected to feature right-handers Brusdar Graterol, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen and Yates.
Though, Graterol will miss at least the first half of the 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery and Kopech could be out for one month because of right forearm inflammation.
Further complicating matters for the Dodgers in the bullpen is a lack of relievers with Minor League options. Among key contributors, only Alex Vesia has an option year available.
Dave Roberts values Ryan Brasier
The Dodgers making Brasier available for trade is not an indictment of the 37-year-old. Manager Dave Roberts has regularly praised Brasier since he originally signed with the Dodgers in June 2023 upon being designated for assignment and released by the Boston Red Sox.
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