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Dodgers: Possible Bullpen Targets in Free Agency
The ideal off-season for the Dodgers would be to re-sign Brandon Morrow and Tony Watson to keep their stellar bullpen intact. Unfortunately, some teams go crazy in free agency which could price Morrow and Watson out of the Dodgers ideal price range.
Last off-season the Dodgers got very lucky and found a gem in signing Brandon Morrow to a minor-league deal. After a stellar season in which he became the primary set-up man to Kenley Jansen his price tag will be exponentially higher if the Dodgers want to bring him back. Given that he turns 34 next season and has an extensive injury history, the Dodgers may have to take a hard pass on bringing him back if the bidding goes above their comfort zone. While a two-year deal sounds ideal for him, it would not be surprising if he lands a three-year contract.
Before the July 31st trade deadline, the Dodgers made a deal for Tony Watson. While this trade did not make the waves that acquiring Yu Darvish did, he turned out to be a stabilizer to the Dodgers pen. As a Dodger, he posted an ERA under three and held opposing batters to a 208 average overall. Like Morrow, Watson is currently a free agent and figures to get several offers that the Dodgers will have to compete with to bring him back. With Grant Dayton scheduled to miss the 2018 season and Adam Liberatore coming back from injury, the Dodgers could use Watson to mow down lefties in the late innings.
If the Dodgers deem the cost too high to bring Watson and Morrow back, then they could choose to sign a free agent alternative. If they do need to go that route, then these are some of the options Friedman and Co. could look at.
Addison Reed – 2.84 ERA in 2017 with the Mets and Red Sox
The first option the Dodgers could choose to go after if they lose Brandon Morrow is Addison Reed. The Dodgers were linked to Reed before last season’s trade deadline. While Reed has been around the majors for a while, he is barely turning 29 in December. He could be a cheaper yet younger alternative to Brandon Morrow.
Reed is one of the rare relievers that can get right and left-handed hitters out at an equal rate. He held right-handed hitters to a 164 average in 2017, but also limited left-handed hitters to a 175 average. While he sits in the low 90’s which is a contrast to Morrow, he can be equally effective due to a sinking fastball and an excellent changeup. Reed could offset the loss of Morrow and Watson since he can get any batter out.
Reed has the kind of durability that Morrow has been unable to show throughout his career. Reed has appeared in over 70 innings in back to back seasons while the Dodgers face the risk that Morrow could break down next season after throwing as many relief innings as he ever has this past season. The short off-season due to an extended playoff run also hurts Morrow’s case where Reed has been a model of durability.
Luke Gregerson – 4.57 ERA in 2017 with the World Champion Astros
The Dodgers are pretty familiar with what Luke Gregerson can do since they just saw him in the World Series and they faced him during his Padre days. While Gregerson was a World Series champion and Team USA champ in 2017 he did not have one of his better seasons. He finished with a 4.57 ERA although he did post 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief during the Astros championship run.
Gregerson allowed a lower batting average to lefties despite his reputation as being a right-handed shutdown guy. He allowed a 269 average to right-handed hitters and a 240 average to left-handed hitters. Gregerson has one of the best sliders in baseball which enables him to be tough on right-handed hitters. Against lefties, he uses his changeup more which has some fading action away from lefties.
Gregerson has appeared in at least 57 innings in every season of his career so like Reed and unlike Morrow, he has a strong history of being durable. Gregerson also has closer experience so if Kenley Jansen needs a day off the Dodgers could rely on Gregerson to finish the game. He is the same age as Morrow as well so if the Dodgers feel Morrow is too expensive they could find a similar fit in Gregerson.
Mike Minor – 2.55 ERA in 2017 as a Kansas City Royal
Once upon a time, Mike Minor was a top starting pitching prospect with the Atlanta Braves. Then he injured his should and missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The Royals took a flier on Minor and it ended up being no minor deal. Mike Minor had a breakout season as a reliever and finished with a 2.55 ERA and allowed hitters to bat only 204 against him in 2017.
Not only did Minor hold right-handed hitters to a 223 average he virtually eliminated left-handed hitters as they only hit 163 against him with no home runs allowed. He also struck out over one batter per inning, and against lefties, he struck out almost two hitters per inning. If the Dodgers were to sign Minor, he would be an upgrade over Tony Watson.
In fact, the Dodgers could use Minor as their every day eighth-inning set-up reliever if Morrow departs and he would cost much less than a trade for Zach Britton. It’s unlikely the Dodgers keep Morrow and sign Minor but if they did, then they would hands down have the best bullpen in baseball with a back-end combo of Minor, Morrow, and Jansen.
As there is with Morrow, there is some injury risk with Mike Minor but truthfully every pitcher is just a time bomb ticking away. Minor is going to be 30 years old this off-season so it’s very likely he will command a three-year deal and could get four years. Although it’d be a gamble, it’s one a rich team like the Dodgers could afford to take.
Jake McGee – 3.61 ERA with the Colorado Rockies in 2017
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The Dodgers could bring Andrew Friedman back a familiar face if they choose to sing Jake McGee instead of bringing Tony Watson back. McGee spent the majority of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays and is one of the hardest throwing southpaws in baseball as his fastball averages just a tick under 95 miles per hour. The Dodgers could weaken a division rival and strengthen their pen by bringing McGee aboard.
In 2017, McGee fared better against right-handed hitters as he limited them to a 203 average compared to a 260 average against fellow left-handers. Moving away from Coors Field should only help McGee as he would be going from one of the extreme hitter’s parks to one of the better parks for pitchers. While fly balls travel well at Coors, they die in the dense clouds at Chavez Ravine for most night games.
McGee averages over a strikeout per inning in his career so the Dodgers would be going from a ground ball specialist to a strikeout pitcher if they lose Watson in free agency but bring McGee into the fold. While Morrow is undoubtedly going to be a hot commodity in free agency the Dodgers may have more competition for Watson since he will command a more reasonable salary. If Watson leaves the Dodgers in free agency, then McGee is an excellent option to replace him.
Next: Dodgers shouldn't spend big in free agency
Well see who the front office decides to go with, but I’d assume priority number one would be to bring back Brandon Morrow and Tony Watson. If either of those players leave, all these are viable options to keep intact the best bullpen in the National League.