Although this winter’s MLB free agency period has been slow-moving, as expected, things have started to pick up since the turn of the new year. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been among the more active teams, being linked to almost every big-name free agent at one point or another.
While the Dodgers still need to address their third base situation, the focus to this point has been on improving their bullpen. In addition to taking a chance on low-risk additions who can provide upside like Corey Knebel, Brandon Morrow and Jimmy Nelson, L.A. also brought back one of their best relievers from last season in Blake Treinen.
They accomplished as much by re-signing Treinen to a two-year contract with a team option for a third year. Even after signing Treinen, it appears the Dodgers are not done adding to their bullpen as reports indicate they still have interest in both Liam Hendriks and Brad Hand.
Those are the best two relievers left on the market and could be too costly for the Dodgers, so according to Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times, they are also interested in Kirby Yates:
Kirby Yates, another former All-Star closer, would cost even less and the Dodgers have significant interest in him, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Yates is just one year removed from being arguably the best reliever in all of baseball. While appearing in 60 games for the San Diego Padres in 2019, he led the league with 41 saves to go along with a 1.19 ERA, 1.30 FIP, 0.89 WHIP, 101 strikeouts and 13 walks in 60.2 innings.
He was limited to just six games in 2020 due to an elbow injury, however, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Yates sign a one-year contract this winter to rebuild his value. It would be similar to what Treinen did with the Dodgers a year ago.
At 33 years of age, the Dodgers would be betting that Yates still has some left in the tank. Considering how well they have done with reclamation projects in their bullpen in recent years, it could be a perfect match for both sides.
Treinen excited to return to Dodgers
Shortly after re-signing with the Dodgers, Treinen expressed excitement to be back with the team to defend their World Series title in 2021.
With him and the other additions the Dodgers have already made, they should again have one of the best bullpens in baseball in 2021, and bringing in someone like Yates would only make the group of relief pitchers all the more formidable.
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