The relief corps was supposed to be a big strength for the Dodgers in 2022. But then…disaster. The team lost their two best high leverage relievers in Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson. Treinen was sidelined with a shoulder injury while Hudson tore his ACL.
Hudson sustained the injury as he and catcher Will Smith tracked down a dribbler off the bat of Ronald Acuña Jr. Hudson’s left knee bent awkwardly when he stepped off the mound. After spending a few minutes on the ground holding the knee, Hudson limped off the field with the training staff. The worst fears were realized and Hudson was done for the year with season ending ACL surgery.
At least we fans knew that Hudson was done for the year. With Treinen, we learned that he first began to experience right shoulder trouble in April. The Dodgers believed a few days of rest would remedy the issue. However we later learned that after first seeing Dr. (Neal) ElAttrache, Treinen had a partial tear in his capsule, and that surgery was recommended.
After praying on the matter, the Treinen’s believed that it was best to rehab the injury and to push the healing process along with a platelet rich plasma injection into the shoulder capsule.
Blake came back in early September with two 1.0 inning relief appearances before he was shut down again. He returned again for the playoffs, and in Game 2 pitched one inning, giving up a solo HR to Jake Cronenworth, and two walks (one intentional). He did not pitch again in the series. Why? I am not sure we will ever learn the true reason.
At the same time, the Dodgers had a season long problem with their “closer”, Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel will go down as one of the best relievers in MLB history and will undoubtedly get HOF consideration. Kimbrel replaced long time LAD Closer, Kenley Jansen. Kimbrel is #7 in career saves with 394, while KJ is #8 with 391. Both are very close and could pass #4 Francisco Rodriguez and his 437, with an outside chance of #3 Lee Smith and 478. John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422) sit at #5 and #6. Both Kimbrel and KJ will be 35 next season.
K-Rod will be eligible for HOF in 2023. I am hoping he gets it.
The Dodgers lost their top two high leverage relievers, their closer was non-existent, and yet somehow some way they had a very good bullpen in 2022. In MLB, they were:
- #2 in ERA – 2.87 (behind Houston’s 2.80)
- #1 in WHIP – 1.05
- #1 in BAA – .205
- #1 in least BBs – 178
- #8 in Strikeouts – 629
Not all was great with relievers. They were tied for #23 in HRs allowed with 53.
Their bullpen was not as shutdown as was San Diego’s in the NLDS, but you cannot judge a bullpen on 4 games. They did not lose the NLDS because of relief pitching. You could say they were overworked and mismanaged. But we have covered that enough. I know, I know. It is time to simply move on. Sometimes I just cannot help it.
Both Treinen and Hudson had their team options exercised, and a 2024 team option added. They will be Dodgers in 2023, and perhaps 2024.
SURPRISES:
Evan Phillips – On August 16, 2021, Evan Phillips was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay. For the remainder of 2021, Phillips appeared in 7 games and threw 1.01 innings. He had 9 Ks and 5 BBs. While the sample size says the numbers are meaningless, his ERA was 3.38 and his WHIP was 1.20. He had 0 holds. He inherited 2 runners and neither scored.
Nothing he did in 2021 gave the Dodgers any expectations of what they were about to experience in 2022 with Phillips. Phillips appeared in more games than any other LAD pitcher with 64.
From May thru the end of the season, Phillips was about as dominant as a reliever could be. He allowed 1 run in his final 24 games (23.0 IP) from August thru the end of the year.
- From May to end of year – 55 games, 54.0 IP, 6 R (3 Earned) 0.50 ERA
- From June to end of year – 46 games, 44.0 IP, 3 R (2 Earned) 0.41 ERA
- From July to end of year – 35 games, 33.0 IP, 2 runs (2 earned), 0.55 ERA
- From August to end of year – 24 games, 23.0 IP, 1 run (earned), 0.39 ERA
Phillips did end up with 2 saves and 2 blown saves with 19 holds. But his primary role was to replace Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson as the go to high leverage reliever to face the heart of the order. That is what makes his season so remarkable. He did what he did facing the best the opposition had.
The Dodgers have 4 years of control over Phillips. He is not arbitration eligible until 2024 (per Baseball Reference and Spotrac). However, he is a potential Super 2 player in which case he will be eligible for arbitration in 2023. MLB Trade Rumors projects his 2023 arbitration salary at $1.4MM if granted Super 2 status.
With Treinen, Hudson, and Phillips all with LAD in 2023, the late inning high leverage situations should be in total control.
Yency Almonte – Almonte was in a position to refuse outright assignment to MiLB with Colorado, elected FA, and the Dodgers signed him to a MiLB contract in March 2022. The Dodgers got a little help (maybe a lot of help) from former LAD reliever and former Rockies teammate, Jake McGee.
“I recommend going out there,” McGee told him. “They know their stuff. They’re gonna teach you a lot of new things that you probably didn’t get in Colorado.”
McGee said this while a pitcher with SFG.
Almonte got a ST invite and was assigned to OKC out of ST. It did not take long for AF/BG to notice Almonte. On May 12, Almonte’s contract was selected by LAD. He would go on to become one of the best relievers in the NL.
From May 12 thru August 3, Almonte appeared in 29 games (31.1 IP), and allowed 4 runs. He had 7 inherited runners and 2 scored. He had 8 holds, 1 save, and 1 blown save.
From July 4 thru August 3 he appeared in 12 games (11.0 IP) and did not allow a run.
Unfortunately for Yency, he came down with elbow soreness and was placed on the IL after August 3. He returned on September 28, and in 4 games thru the end of the season, he pitched 4.0 innings, allowing only 1 HBP as the lone baserunner.
Yency took that mastery into the playoffs and in his first two games, he faced 5 batters and struck all of them out. But when asked to pitch in back to back games for the first time since July 3 and 4 (with Treinen and May in the bullpen), Yency could not deliver. Neither could Tommy Kahnle nor Alex Vesia who also were asked to pitch in back to back games.
Chris Martin – RHRP Chris Martin and OF Joey Gallo were the only two players acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Chris Martin turned out to be a BIG surprise. From his acquisition thru the end of the season, Martin appeared in 26 games, 24.2 IP, 12 hits, 1 walk, and 34 Ks. He allowed 1 HR.
He was extremely prolific from Sept 4 thru the end of the season. In 13 games and 12.1 IP he did not allow a run. He had 19 K and 1 BB and 1 HBP. He was magnificent with runners on base. He inherited 10 runners and only 1 scored.
He did not allow a run in his 2.0 IP in the NLDS.
Martin was undoubtedly acquired because of his ability to throw strikes and to have that ability culminate into strikeouts. For LAD he was 34/1 (K/BB) but for the year he was 74/5. It is hard to imagine how a pitcher who is always around the plate was so expert at his swing and miss capabilities.
Because of a quirk in his contract with the Cubs, even though he has not accumulated the requisite years of service to be a free agent, CMart is granted free agency due to his Cubs contract. I hope that CMart will sign with LAD. With CMart and Almonte in the 6th/7th innings and Phillips, Treinen, and Hudson in the late innings. The Dodgers will be loaded in the bullpen. But maybe CMart wants to close and get a more prominent role with another contender. We will see.
Alex Vesia – The Dodgers acquired LHRP Alex Vesia and RHP prospect Kyle Hurt from Miami for RHRP Dylan Floro after the 2020 season.
Vesia appeared in 63 games (tied with Kimbrel for 2nd most behind Phillips). In 54.1 IP, he had a 2.15 ERA and a 1.123 WHIP. He struck out 79 batters and issued 24 walks. He only allowed 2 HRs during the season. He had 16 holds, 1 save, and 2 blown saves.
But Vesia was especially productive from July 23 thru the end of the season. In 27 games, 25.1 IP, he allowed 1 run. His K/BB ratio was 40 to 9. He inherited 11 runners and only 1 scored. His one run allowed and one blown save in these games came on September 18 against SFG when he uncharacteristically walked 3 batters. It was the only game he walked 3 batters, and he walked two in only three other appearances.
Vesia was especially hard on LH batters. With 79 PA, Vesia had a line of .130/.218/.130/.348 against LH batters. That is no XBH against LH hitters. He was not as prolific against RH batters, but he was not bad. With 148 PA, his line was .217/.313/.310/.623.
Vesia is controlled for 4 years and is not eligible for arbitration until 2024. He is not a Super 2 candidate.
PARTIAL YEAR RELIEVERS:
Tommy Kahnle – Kahnle was signed to a two year $4.75MM contract knowing that he would be sitting out 2021 after TJ surgery. He was held out in April and pitched 4 games for LAD in the first two weeks of May. After his 4th game he was placed back on the IL with a bone bruise on the right elbow. He was held out from May 13 through September 14. From September 14 through the end of the season, Kahnle pitched in 9 games, 8.2 IP. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 9 Ks. His line for those 9 games was .077/.167/.077/.244.
He was also outstanding in his first two playoff appearances. In 2.0 IP he faced 6 batters with 4 Ks. But he faltered when asked to go back to back games in NLDS Game 4. He faced three batters, allowed 2 hits and 1 walk before being relieved by Yency Almonte. Here was a pitcher throwing minimal innings during the year due to bone bruise on throwing elbow, and was summoned in a must win game with Treinen and May in the bullpen.
Kahnle is a free agent, and while I would like to see him back, it is doubtful that he will be. The Dodgers have a lot of good relievers under their control, and might want to bring up some of the “kids” as relief options.
Brusdar Graterol – Bazooka spent two stints on the IL this season. After July 10, he spent 42 days on the IL. After August 28, he spent another 24 days.
For the season, he appeared in 46 games and 49.2 IP. He had 43 K and 1 BB. His ERA was 3.26 and his WHIP was 0.987. What makes Graterol so frustrating is that he has a 100-102 MPH sinker. His cutter is not a good out pitch. He throws his sinker 42.7% of the time, and his cutter 27.4%. His slider is a good pitch, but he does not throw it enough (19.3%). His 4-seamer is also a pitch that was not kind to him. He threw that 10.7%.
- BAA Sinker – .188 (Whiff % – 15.4%)
- BAA Cutter – .302 (Whiff % – 13.6%)
- BAA Slider – .158 (Whiff % – 38.6%)
- BAA 4-Seamer – .267 (Whiff % 26.2%) – But least put away pitch of his repertoire. Very little spin rate, thus the command has to be there.
I am not a pitching coach, but it sure seems evident that Brusdar might want to abandon the cutter and work on better command of the slider and 4-seamer. If he can get more sliders in the pitching mix, I would think that his sinker would be an even better pitch.
Graterol is controlled for 4 years, and is a Super 2 arbitration player. Graterol is projected to earn $1.2MM in his first of four runs through arbitration.
Caleb Ferguson – Caleb started out on the IL. He appeared in a game on May 16, and was optioned back to OKC for 17 days, and was not happy about it at all. On June 20, Ferguson was placed back on the IL. He was activated again on July 6.
He started out as good as any reliever in the NL. In his first 19 games, 18.2 IP, he did not allow a run. He inherited 2 runners and neither one scored.
Then in his next 18 games, the wheels seemed to come off a bit. He threw 16.0 IP, with an ERA of 3.94. He was 21/11 K/BB. For whatever reason, he seemed to lose his command and control. He was left off the NLDS roster.
Anyone who has followed me at all knows that Caleb Ferguson is one of my absolute favorite Dodgers, and has been since 2016.
The Dodgers have two years of control over Caleb. He is in his 2nd arbitration year, and is projected to earn $1.1MM. I hope he is back with the Dodgers in 2023, but he could be a reliever thrown into a package trade. With Victor Gonzalez due back in 2023, Ferguson might not be in their long-term plans. I surely hope I am wrong. But if he is traded, I hope it is to Pittsburgh, near his home town, West Jefferson, Ohio. The Dodgers have their eye on a certain CF with the Pirates. Can they make it work?
DISAPPOINTMENT
Phil Bickford – I reluctantly included Bickford in this category. I say reluctantly because I genuinely like him. But that does not make him a quality reliever. We also know that relievers are very unpredictable. In 2021, Bickford was outstanding in 51 games. In 2022 he was very pedestrian in 60 games. The big difference is that he allowed 12 HRs in 2022 instead of 6 he allowed in 2021.
I do not know if he is on the AF/BG radar for next year. He does not have any options available. So he will need to stay on the roster for the entire season or he will need to be designated for assignment.
The good side is that Bickford is controlled for 5 years. He is not eligible for arbitration until 2025. Do they take a chance and see if he can repeat his 2021 season? He is a two time 1st round pick, Toronto (#10) in 2013, and San Francisco (#18) in 2015. He is a 2-pitch pitcher (4-seamer and slider).
He may have been a disappointment in 2022, but maybe not so much in 2023.
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
Craig Kimbrel – The Dodgers were not ready to offer KJ a contract until they could shed some payroll (at least that is what they said), and KJ was not willing to wait. Instead he signed with Atlanta.
The Dodgers were without a closer, and decided to trade AJ Pollock to ChiSox for Craig Kimbrel. KJ signed for $16MM and that is what Kimbrel was due to earn in his final year of his contract.
Kimbrel appeared in 63 games, 60 IP, with a 3.75 ERA and 1.317 WHIP. He had 22 saves in 27 save opportunities, a not very good 81.5% success rate. He was so erratic that he was left off the NLDS roster.
There is virtually no chance that Kimbrel will be with LAD in 2023.
Current 2023 roster of relievers:
- Blake Treinen (RHP)
- Daniel Hudson (RHP)
- Evan Phillips (RHP)
- Yency Almonte (RHP)
- Alex Vesia (LHP)
- Caleb Ferguson (LHP)
- Brusdar Graterol (RHP)
- Phil Bickford (RHP)
Others to consider on the 40 man:
- Justin Bruihl
- Victor Gonzalez
- Andre Jackson
- Ryan Pepiot (If not starting)
- Michael Grove (If not starting)
Others that can have club option exercised or re-signed.
This does not take into consideration any potential free agent signing, including Chris Martin and Tommy Kahnle.
Wow!!! Awesome and Complete (AC).
In some ways we were quite lucky with our pitching staff. With the number of injuries sustained many teams may have not recovered. We did. And as you said, the bullpen didn’t end our season, the lack of offense did.
I don’t believe it’s a stretch to say this staff would have needed several heroic achievements to have made it to November. Frankly I didn’t see it. I figured the Dodgers would need to average 5+ to win their last game of the postseason.
The new master plans appear to call for the bullpens to cover close to 50% of the innings pitched. Picking up older, often proven arms can be a risky way to do it.
Bullpen should be good once again. More concerned with the starters.
I would be shocked if Judge signs with the Dodgers. But, just in case, can Mookie play short?
Are you saying you’d rather have Mookie at short and Lux at second? Maybe not a bad idea.
To me, the only reason a second baseman couldn’t play short would be arm strength and we know Mookie has a strong arm. On the other hand, he may just prefer second because that was his position coming up.
I’m voting no on Judge unless they could get him for something like 45-50 mil per year for 3 years and he’d be nuts to do that because that would leave him looking to get another contract at age 34. Guys with his body type tend not to age well, so he’s going to want his 8-9 years now. No thank you.
I would pass on Judge as well.
Treinen
Hudson
Phillips
Vesia
Almonte
Graterol
Vgon/Ferguson
Nelson/Kahnle
Long man (Jackson/Pepiot/Grove/Duffy)
On the face of it, that’s quite formidable. Do we know if Hudson is expected back by opening day? If not, we don’t really have a closer. I think Treinen and Phillips are best kept for high leverage (to be used when needed) situations.
I also expect Treinen to go down again sooner than later so I’m not counting on him for 2023. I think AF made a mistake to extend him without his having had surgery.
Bednar still intrigues me, and Trade Simulator (which I really think has lots of flaws, but is fun to play with) says something like Busch and Leonard or Vivas would fairly well match up. Bednar still has 4 years of control, which really adds to his value.
Busch is no longer available because I traded him along with Vargas for Zack Gelof. Besides, I think the Dodgers need to use their prospects to obtain players for other positions before trying to improve a pretty good bullpen.
Zack Gelof is projected to make the Oakland varsity in 2024 but I would hope he would be an early 2023 member of the Dodger’s varsity.
Jefe’, I saw your link to the article on Bellinger’s leg being the culprit for his poor hitting. I still don’t like his setup which, unlike his problems with his leg injury and related new muscle memory, can’t be as easily fixed without his buy in. Reynolds is a safer bet to help the Dodgers and I would rather use some of Bellinger’s payroll to help pay for Correa.
2B Lux
RF Betts
1B Freeman
SS Correa
LF Pederson
CF Reynolds
C Smith
DH Muncy
3B Gelof
The reason Roberts would hit Joc 5th instead of Muncy is that Joc bought the pictures Max used last year to hit 4th or 5th in the first half on 2022.
Nothing about Belli’s current mess can be fixed without his buy-in and that’s why I think they may just cut him loose. That decision may ultimately come back to bite us, but I can’t say I would blame the front office if they did it.
Now, as to Mr. Gelof – you’ve traded BOTH Vargas AND Busch for him. He played at the AA level last year. The other two played at the AAA level. Busch’s stats were slightly better at the higher level and Vargas’ stats were much better at the higher level. Gelof may ultimately have the best career of the three, but at this point, IMHO, giving up both those guys to get him is a major overpay.
Since you seem anxious to trade Busch and Vargas, why don’t you just save them for your Reynolds trade where at least you’d be getting some decent current value back. And just for the record, I’m not trading Vargas until I see what I have with him for at least a full season.
Yeah, Belli would be a $19M one year rental and like I mentioned, that $19M could go toward Correa and more of a sure thing while adding a big righty bat.
Jefe’, you’re going to wait one year too long with Vargas and that year could cost the Dodgers some trade value. The Dodgers need a third baseman sooner than later and Vargas apparently isn’t that guy. And, I love having a third baseman with 60 speed. I don’t know if adding Busch is too much or too little.
Hudson’s surgery was just about July1. The doctors told him that it takes from 6-9 months to completely heal (for a pitcher, not a running back). He was already working towards late ST and being ready for Opening Day. The Dodgers are generally overly cautious with pitchers coming back from injury, so I would not expect them to push Hudson in the beginning. About his rehab…
“It’s going really well,” Hudson recently said. “I can’t really say where I’m at percentage-wise in terms of where somebody is supposed to be at this point. It’s been a little over 10 weeks since the surgery.
It was his left knee that was injured, which is his landing leg. Is this going to change his extension distance? Is he going to shorten his step and put more pressure on the arm? These are the things the doctors/trainers/coaches are going to want to see before letting him loose.
Hudson (like Treinen) is an experienced closer. He can pitch in back to back games. Will he be able to do it in October/November?
Bednar could be moved (just like Reynolds) but it is going to take an overpay. Busch/Leonard or Busch/Vivas is not going to get it done.
Milwaukee traded Josh Hader for Dinelson Lamet (released and signed by Colorado), closer Taylor Rogers (FA – who was horrible last year), and two good prospects.
23 year old OF Esteury Ruiz – Milwaukee’s #8 prospect. At AA and AAA in 2022 – .332/.447/.526/.973. He had 85 SB and 14 CS. He is a converted 2B who is learning OF.
23 year old LHP Robert Gasser – Milwaukee’s #11 prospect. He was the 2nd round pick for SD in 2021. He went from Low A in 2021 to High A, AA, and AAA in 2022. He pitched 137 innings. He had 172 strikeouts against 52 walks. His 2022 ERA was 3.94 and his 2022 WHIP was 1.30.
Bednar has 4 years of control and Hader has 1. I would think that the Dodgers would have to pay more than what San Diego did for Hader.
Michael Busch
Landon Knack
Michael Grove
Or if you think that Eddys Leonard or Jorbit Vivas would excite Pittsburgh more, substitute either for Grove.
What say you?
It’s just me, but I don’t even consider Knack a prospect any more. I’d be more than happy to give them the three you mentioned if that would actually get Bednar.
I’m thinking they would reject both your suggested deal and mine and come back with something like Busch, Pepiot, Vivas/Leonard at the very least.
Four years of control on a proven closer with a reasonable salary ain’t gonna come cheap.
A closer would be nice. But does a team with a 334 run differential really need to spend large on a lock down closer? Maybe. I guess.
To me the biggest flaw with Graterol is that with all that electric stuff, he does not have a putaway pitch.Judge rumors even being mentioned on MLBTR. They say Mookie is open to a move to second.
Like I’ve mentioned before, Graterol needs to learn some new grips.
Judge. Is it possible the Dodgers are being mentioned to make Farhan nervous? I think Judge would look good in a Dodger uniform, but he’s 31 in April and his 6+ WAR years are likely behind him. I think that enormous body could be susceptible to injury as he ages, but he probably could hit for 5 more years.
42 year old former Cardinals, LAD, and Reds utility infielder/outfielder, Skip Schumaker, has been named Manager of the Miami Marlins squad. Last year he was bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. Before that he was 1B coach and associate manager for San Diego (2018-2021).
Interesting pick.