Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has often said there’s never a point where he feels truly comfortable with a group of relief pitchers. Friedman has been let down by a bullpen that projected to fare well, and surprised certain years.
He reiterated that stance during Dodgers FanFest, while adding the club remained interested in multiple free-agent relief pitchers. Of late, Los Angeles has been connected to Joe Blanton, Jerry Blevins and Sergio Romo.
Friedman acknowledged re-signing Blanton was a possibility, but declined to offer specifics. The Dodgers are said to be a finalist to ink Romo, who grew up attending games at Dodger Stadium.
As a resolution on the right-handers hangs in the balance, Blevins remains someone of interest to the Dodgers, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Reported last night that #Dodgers are finalist for Romo and also talking to Blanton. Another reliever who remains on their radar: Blevins.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 3, 2017
In his second season with the New York Mets, Blevins went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA, 3.05 FIP and 1.21 WHIP, while averaging a career-high 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and 29.2 strikeout rate.
It was a strong showing from the veteran left-hander after his 2015 season came to an early end, because of surgery after re-fracturing a bone in his throwing arm.
What may impact the Dodgers’ potentially signing Blevins is a reported expectation that the 33-year-old will receive a multiyear contract. It’s believed Los Angeles only wants to sign relievers to one-year pacts.
However, Boone Logan signing a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians may work in the Dodgers’ favor. Logan’s deal includes a buyout and club option for 2018.
Over parts of 10 seasons with the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals and Mets, Blevins is a lifetime 20-11 with a 3.44 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 1.20 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
