Call to the pen
Fansided

What Else Do the Los Angeles Dodgers Need to do?

By Sunit Bhakta

Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) talks with manager Dave Roberts (right) and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (middle) during today
Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) talks with manager Dave Roberts (right) and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (middle) during today /
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Oct 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton (55) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Solidify the Bullpen

Kenley Jansen was arguably the biggest name in terms of bullpen arms, but because of that, the fact that Joe Blanton and J.P. Howell became free agents and young reliever Yimi Garcia is expected to miss all of 2017 due to Tommy John. Joe Blanton was a revelation last season, serving as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ unofficial setup man. He threw 80 innings, striking out 80 hitters while posting a 2.48 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP. He had his low-lights in the 2016 NLCS, but you can’t deny that he was an invaluable piece to the best regular season bullpen in the entire league.

J.P. Howell, although his 2016 would make a mockery of the statement, was a vital piece of the bullpen from 2013-2015. In those three seasons he compiled a 1.97 ERA while being particularly effective vs. lefties, limiting them to a .184 BAA. However, this season he struggled, seeing his ERA balloon over 4. Howell could still serve as a low-cost and smart option for the right price.

With these two gone, the bullpen consists of Kenley Jansen, Pedro Baez, Grant Dayton, Josh Fields, Chris Hatcher, Adam Liberatore, and Josh Ravin, with starters Ross Stripling and Alex Wood possibilities as swingmen out of the ‘pen. As it stands right now, Baez will be the setup man and Dayton will serve as the primary lefty-specialist. Dayton is a promising pitcher while Baez has divided fans apart (although Baez’s numbers cannot be argued against). However, the other names do not cause for any celebration.

. A setup man is the biggest need, but because the market for relievers is dried up, David Robertson of the Chicago White Sox might be the best pitcher available in terms of prospect price. Bringing back Blanton while also trading for a pitcher of Robertson’s caliber (quality reliever who wouldn’t require elite prospects in return) might be the best steps to rebuilding a questionable bullpen.

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