Coming off a franchise-record 106 wins but disappointing showing in the postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers were expected to take considerable action this winter. L.A. again remained under the luxury tax threshold and therefore didn’t face the prospect of repeater penalties.
They had reported interest in Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, but as each came off the board on consecutive days at the Winter Meetings, the Dodgers were left empty handed. They reportedly submitted an eight-year, $300 million contract offer (with deferrals) to Cole.
Although the Dodgers missed on the three big free agents, they departed from the Winter Meetings having agreed to terms with relief pitcher Blake Treinen. The signing was made official a few days later, and it’s one Justin Turner spoke highly of during an appearance on AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“I’m a baseball fan first and foremost. I love the game and love seeing all the stuff and trades, transactions and the signings. So I love paying attention to that and I obviously pay extra attention to what’s going on with the Dodgers; we haven’t seen a whole lot. Blake Treinen coming in I think is a really good free-agent signing for us. I faced him a few times and don’t want to face him again, so I’m glad he’s on our side. I know these guys are working hard and trying to figure out what the best roster is going to be for us going into next year.”
Treinen was non-tendered by the Oakland Athletics following a rocky 2019 campaign. He appeared in 57 games but wasn’t nearly as effective when compared to his outstanding performance just one season prior.
Treinen pitched to a career-worst 4.91 ERA and only recorded 16 saves before suffering a season-ending back injury this past September. His struggles amounted to a 1.62 WHIP and an average of nearly six walks per nine innings.
Prior to struggling this year, Treinen was widely considered one of baseball’s most dominant relievers. In 2019 he went 9-2 with a career-best 0.78 ERA and 38 saves, was selected to a first career All-Star Game that and finished sixth in American League Cy Young Award.
If Treinen is able to replicate his previous success, it would be a significant boon to a Dodgers bullpen that had shaky late-inning options. For his part, the 31-year-old Treinen is looking forward to joining a World Series contender and is not worried about potential role.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts have both affirmed Kenley Jansen remains the team’s closer.
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