If there's one space on the Dodgers' roster that might use an extra star piece, it will be the bullpen.
The Dodgers have been comparatively inactive within the reduction market, as the one motion taken has been to ship again items of the 2023 group, which have been a minor league deal for Daniel Hudson and a one-year deal for Joe Kelly. The Dodgers have been just lately within the combine for All Star nearer Josh Hader earlier than he signed with the Houston Astros.
The bullpen nonetheless encompasses a two-headed monster of Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol, however the group nonetheless lacks a full-time nearer, even with Phillips saving a team-high 24 video games. If the Dodgers are going to look so as to add somebody to the tip of the bullpen, then they need to look to commerce for present Cleveland Cavaliers nearer Emmanuel Clase.
Listed here are two predominant the explanation why the Dodgers ought to go after Clase.
Bona fide nearer
Since being acquired by the Texas Rangers within the Corey Kluber deal, Clase has grow to be not solely one of many prime relievers within the American League, however the most effective relievers in baseball. Because the 2021 season, Clase has collected 110 saves, essentially the most within the American League in that span. He led all of baseball in saves the previous two seasons, changing into the primary reliever to steer all of baseball in saves in consecutive seasons since Jim Johnson in 2012-2013.
Even in a down season in 2023, which was statistically his worst season as a full-time nearer, he nonetheless posted 44 saves, a 3.22 ERA, and an ERA+ of 130 in 75 video games. Out of these 75 video games, Clase was in a position to end 65 of them, including to his capacity to complete video games even in non-safety conditions.
The chief in video games completed within the bullpen of the Dodgers within the 2023 season was Evan Phillips, as he completed 36 of the 62 video games during which he appeared. Including an arm like Clase would give the Dodgers reduction solely reserved for the ninth inning or late-game appearances, and relieve a lot of the stress for Graterol and Phillips to be the first arm to shut out video games. .
Not only a rental
After the conclusion of the 2024 season, the one relievers who will likely be on the Dodgers' roster will likely be Phillips, Graterol, JP Feyereisen and Alex Vesia. When who will grow to be free brokers for the 2024-2025 offseason, the most effective relievers to hit on the open market is Clay Holmes of the New York Yankees, however his 2023 numbers when it comes to full video games are similar to Phillips.
The one factor that helps Clase is that he’s nonetheless comparatively younger on the age of 25 and has not but entered his prime. He’s additionally presently in a group settlement that he signed earlier than the 2022 season, which incorporates choices for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Though the Dodgers spent some huge cash this season, the group wouldn’t have to fret a couple of doable extension for the subsequent two seasons at the least.
The Dodgers this offseason have constructed one of the vital balanced and star-studded rosters in all of baseball, however the bullpen may nonetheless use an extra star piece to serve on the again finish. Including an arm like Clase would make sure the Dodgers have a late-game specialist who can shut out video games, whether or not or not it's a save alternative, and somebody who might be a fixture of the Dodgers' bullpen for years to come back.
