Dodgers Reportedly Reach Agreement With Lefty J.P. Howell

The Dodgers and free agent left handed reliever J.P. Howell have reached an agreement, according to Jon Heyman.

The financial terms have not yet been officially released, but the reports are surfacing that the agreement is a multi-year deal (two years) that could be worth 11.25 million dollars with a 6.25 million dollar mutual option for a third year that could be triggered to a player option.

J.P. Howell-Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The 30-year-old lefty reliever had a good year in 2013 with the Dodgers. Howell posted a 2.04 ERA in 67 games. He had a 4-1 record, whffed 54 and walked only 23 while posting solid marks of 6.1 H/9, 7.8 SO/9, and 3.3 BB/9 in 62 frames of work while serving as the Dodgers primary left handed reliever in the bullpen.  Howell allowed only two home runs all season. With the leftie’s abilities to limit home runs, and hits while striking out batters at an above average rate should give the Dodgers another strong left hander in their bullpen to compliment the inexperienced but talented Paco Rodriguez, and the solid but often hurt Scott Elbert.

Last winter the Dodgers signed Howell to a one-year 2.85 million dollar contract. This would represent a significant raise for the eight year MLB veteran. We’ll have more on the exact terms of the agreement once the club announces the deal.