The Los Angeles Dodgers leaned heavily on their bullpen when they won the World Series in 2024 but did not have the luxury of doing so this past season.
The team’s relief corps struggled with inconsistency in 2025, whether it be due to injury or players simply underperforming.
The Dodgers were essentially forced to use many of their starting pitchers in relief roles during the playoffs, largely Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan. Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto also made appearances out of the bullpen during this year’s Fall Classic.
While it proved to be a successful strategy, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is hoping the Dodgers can rely on both groups equally next season, via SportsNet LA:
“I think in some ways it was a game of Whac-A-Mole. In 2024, we’re riding our bullpen and that’s the strength. So we address our rotation, feel really good about our bullpen, but then that pops up (in 2025). So now we’re hoping to sync both up together.”
Whether the Dodgers are able to align their bullpen and rotation will depend on improved health and certain pitchers bouncing back.
The Dodgers believe they shored up their bullpen by signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract. The move surprised many around baseball as L.A. had publicly signaled they weren’t going to make any splashes this offseason.
In addition to Díaz, the Dodgers are confident that several bullpen holdovers will have better seasons next year. Namely Tanner Scott, who pitched through several health issues in his first season with the Dodgers after signing a four-year, $72 million contract.
As for the starting rotation, the Dodgers are expected to return a star-studded cast that includes Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, Sheehan, Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani. The group could get even stronger if the team is able to pull off a blockbuster trade for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
Andrew Friedman: Dodgers will continue being ‘aggressive’
Friedman recently admitted that the Dodgers have fewer needs this offseason, but noted they will continue to be aggressive with potential roster moves.
The Dodgers are now seemingly focused on someone who can be an upgrade on both offense and defense, and have some confidence they can land that player.
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