The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their offseason on Wednesday by re-signing utility infielder Miguel Rojas to a one-year, $5.5 million deal. While the move provides stability in the infield, the team’s work is far from complete.
As The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo note, addressing the bullpen remains a top priority. “With the Winter Meetings set to begin next week in Orlando, the Dodgers’ work is far from done,” they wrote. “They want to be engaged on several of the top relievers available on the market, but have tried to stick to shorter-term frameworks.”
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Free-Agent Market Frustrations
The Dodgers have already faced setbacks in their search for relief pitching. Raisel Iglesias opted to return to the Braves on a one-year deal, Ryan Helsley signed a two-year deal with Baltimore, and Devin Williams agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets. These early departures have left Los Angeles evaluating alternative options in free agency, including names like Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez, and Pete Fairbanks—all capable of bolstering a bullpen that struggled down the stretch in 2025.
Internal Options and Returning Arms
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The Dodgers also have returning talent who could fill late-inning roles. Brusdar Graterol returns from shoulder surgery, Kyle Hurt completed his rehab from Tommy John surgery with a strong Triple-A stint, and Brock Stewart is expected to return midseason following a September procedure. Additionally, veterans like Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen remain on the roster, though both carry their own uncertainties. Scott, in particular, posted a 4.74 ERA with 10 blown saves despite recording 23 saves, highlighting the need for added stability.
GM Brandon Gomes has tempered expectations regarding a marquee closer. “I don’t think it’s a need,” he said at the GM Meetings, “but it could be a ‘nice to have.’” This underscores a cautious approach, balancing financial flexibility with the desire to address the bullpen’s weaknesses.
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Targeting Dependable, High-Leverage Arms
Among potential targets, Pete Fairbanks has emerged as a compelling option. In 2025, he posted a 2.83 ERA with 27 saves and a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio, while his West Coast return could mitigate challenges related to Raynaud’s Syndrome. For the Dodgers, Fairbanks represents a reliable, mid-tier acquisition capable of stabilizing late innings without consuming resources for other roster priorities.
As the Winter Meetings approach, Los Angeles’ offseason strategy appears clear: secure a dependable arm for the ninth inning while maintaining financial flexibility. With a combination of returning talent, strategic free-agent acquisitions, and calculated internal development, the Dodgers aim to reinforce the bullpen that carried them to another World Series title—but also exposed vulnerabilities—last season
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