The Los Angeles Dodgers’ first move this offseason to address their bullpen was trading backup catcher Carlos Ruiz to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Vidal Nuno. Los Angeles later avoided arbitration with the left-hander by agreeing to a one-year contract.
Between those two points, the Dodgers re-signed Kenley Jansen to a five-year, $80 million deal. Their latest addition is expected to come in the form of Sergio Romo, who’s reportedly agreed to a one-year pact.
Throughout the offseason, the Dodgers have also been connected to Craig Breslow, Joe Blanton, Jerry Blevins and Greg Holland, among other relievers.
Blevins re-signed with the New York Mets, while Holland joined the Colorado Rockies. Another has come off the board, as according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Breslow agreed to a Minor League contract with the Minnesota Twins:
Craig Breslow just told me he has agreed to a minor-league deal with the #MNTwins, turning down better financial offers from other clubs.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2017
Breslow spent portions of the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Twins. The Dodgers reportedly were among the several teams that attended his throwing showcase last month. The 36-year-old was said to have shown improved velocity as a byproduct of changing his arm angle.
Breslow went 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA and was key for the Boston Red Sox in their path to a World Series title in 2013. However, he’s endured subpar seasons in the time since. Breslow singed a Minor League contract with the Miami Marlins in February 2016 and made the Opening Day roster.
He went on to appear in just 15 games, pitching to a 4.50 ERA, 3.93 FIP and 1.78 WHIP in 14 innings. The Marlins released Breslow in May, he signed with the Texas Rangers, didn’t reach the Majors and the two sides mutually agreed to part ways in August.
The 11-year veteran owns a career 3.35 ERA, 18.5 percent strikeout rate and 37.4 ground ball rate.
