The Los Angeles Dodgers are back to the beginning when it comes to having a solid bullpen.
Despite adding Tanner Scott in free agency last winter, the Dodgers watched as he struggled throughout much of his first season. His performances were so poor that the team had to turn to Roki Sasaki as its closer in the postseason en route to winning another World Series.
Now, Los Angeles knows another reliever needs to be added to the mix this winter. Scott may bounce back, but the team can not rely on that to happen. Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo are reporting the team is reportedly interested in San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez.
“Los Angeles has also shown interest in former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez, a source said, seeking to go for a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value for the two-time All-Star (who has a 2.91 ERA over the last four seasons),” Ardaya and Woo wrote for The Athletic.
Suarez has been one of the best closers in baseball over the last few years, and he would provide a major impact to the Dodgers’ bullpen. He has been predicted to sign a four-year deal worth $80 million this winter, a price that appears to be within reason for Los Angeles.
For a closer that has recorded 76 saves over the last two seasons, it’s certainly understandable why the Dodgers would want a reliever of his caliber in their bullpen. Stealing him away from the Padres, the Dodgers’ biggest rival in the National League West, would simply sweeten the deal for them.
Dodgers fans might be wondering why the team would prefer Suarez over New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, but it appears there is one major reason why.
“Then there’s Edwin DÃaz, the best reliever on the market, who, in addition to having a qualifying offer attached to him, is likely outside of the Dodgers’ desired range,” Ardaya and Woo wrote.
Los Angeles couldn’t go wrong with signing either of the relievers, and Suarez would certainly be an upgrade over what the team has currently.
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