3 moves for the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason

The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a strange position this offseason. For the first time since 2012, they are not the defending National League West champions. They also find themselves with plenty of questions about players who have been faces of the franchise in recent seasons and their futures with the team.

As has been the case in recent times, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be very active this offseason, working to not only bring back players who have been instrumental to the team’s success, but also sign free agents who can help the team get back on the top in the division and the National League as well.

So what are three things we think the Dodgers can do to have a successful offseason? Let’s start in the back of the bullpen and work our way forward.

The Los Angeles Dodgers need to build a bullpen around Blake Treinen

There’s plenty of uncertainty about the future of Kenley Jansen and his return to the Dodgers. However, the 33-year-old Treinen has already shown he has the mettle to get the job done should Los Angeles move him back into the closer role he held with the Oakland A’s before coming to the Dodgers.

Treinen is coming off a season where he allowed just 46 hits in 72.1 innings pitched and posted a WHIP of 0.982. As Pitching Ninja points out, the right-hander has some of the filthiest breaking stuff in Major League Baseball today and can be very effective for the Dodgers late in the game.

Jansen is likely to earn some big dollars this offseason (projected two-year, $26 million deal), and the Dodgers could certainly spend the money elsewhere if they decide to use Treinen as the bedrock of the bullpen. With that thought in mind, Los Angeles can find a cost-effective supporting cast in the back end of the bullpen and push dollars toward the rotation.

Speaking of that…