Dodgers Face Bullpen Dilemma as Raisel Iglesias Opts to Stay with Braves
The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a prime position to chase their third consecutive World Series title next season. With an impressive roster loaded with talent, including Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers boast one of the most formidable lineups in baseball. Their starting rotation is equally packed with elite talent, featuring Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, alongside emerging arm Emmet Sheehan. Promising young pitcher Roki Sasaki is also on the horizon, aiming to establish himself as a dependable starter by 2026.
Concerns in the Bullpen
However, one glaring weakness persists: the Dodgers’ bullpen, which struggled significantly last season. This inadequacy was so pronounced that manager Dave Roberts often turned to starters in relief during the postseason, reflecting a lack of trust in his highly compensated relief pitchers. The bullpen posted a 4.27 ERA during the regular season, ranking as the second-lowest among the 12 playoff teams. Their WHIP of 1.33 placed them 20th in Major League Baseball, underscoring the urgent need for improvement.
Pursuing Stability in Relief
In light of these challenges, the Dodgers are expected to aggressively seek a reliable closer this offseason. Their frustration with Tanner Scott, whom they signed to a four-year, $72 million contract last offseason, has reached a boiling point. The organization has reportedly set its sights on free agent Raisel Iglesias, who has been a standout closer for the Atlanta Braves over the past four seasons. Although Iglesias had a rocky start to the previous season, he rebounded impressively, finishing with a remarkable 1.25 ERA over his last 45 appearances.
The Iglesias Decision
The Dodgers extended an offer of approximately $16 million to Iglesias in hopes of bringing him aboard. However, the 35-year-old opted instead to accept a similar deal to remain with the Braves, a decision that leaves the Dodgers in search of a new answer for their bullpen woes. According to sources, Iglesias had multiple offers on the table, including those from the Dodgers and the Blue Jays, but ultimately chose to stay put in Atlanta.
As the offseason unfolds, the Dodgers will need to address their bullpen issues head-on, seeking out solutions that will bolster their chances of a championship run while maintaining the strength of their batting lineup and starting rotation.
