The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Blake Treinen was re-signed to a two-year contract with a club option for the 2023 season. The team did not release financial details of the pact, but multiple reports indicate it is in the neighborhood of $17 million.
Treinen is the second noteworthy relief pitcher the Dodgers have added to the roster this offseason, previously completing a trade for Corey Knebel. Brandon Morrow, Jimmy Nelson and Brock Stewart were each signed to a Minor League contract.
Tommy Kahnle was signed to a two-year contract as well, but he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and likely won’t pitch until 2022.
Treinen is back with the team after going 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 27 relief appearances last season. He then appeared in a team-high 11 postseason games, going 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA.
Treinen’s ERA was inflated by allowing three runs against the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. He later benefitted from Mookie Betts making a highlight-reel of a catch in right field, and twice pitched in three consecutive games.
The second time doing so culminated with Treinen being trusted to close out Game 5 of the World Series. “That meant a lot to me personally, because this team has invested a lot into me,” he said after the win.
“They bring me on for big outs, and it’s gratifying. It means a lot to be able to do that for this organization. Those guys work really hard offensively, defensively, front office, bullpen, everything. It means a lot.”
Treinen somewhat unexpectedly became available in free agency last winter as the Oakland Athletics elected to non-tender the right-hander. He went on to sign a one-year, $10 million contract with the Dodgers.
Of course, Treinen’s actual earnings were reduced due to prorated pay once MLB commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally imposed a 60-game season.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Treinen spent parts of three seasons with the Athletics, going a combined 18-11 with a 2.44 ERA in 160 games. In his first full season with Oakland in 2018, he was 9-2 with a career-high 38 saves and career-best 0.78 ERA.
Treinen, who was an All-Star during that 2018 campaign, became the first pitcher in MLB history with at least 30 saves, an ERA below 1.00 and 100 strikeouts during the same season.
Are Dodgers out of the running for Liam Hendriks
The Dodgers had recently been linked to A’s free agent Liam Hendriks, who has been among the best closers. However, Hendriks is likely to command a lucrative contract that the Dodgers may have been hesitant to dole out.
The signing of Treinen doesn’t fully close the door on potentially adding Treinen to the fold, but it certainly reduces the likelihood.
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