Five Free Agent Targets for the Dodgers to Upgrade Their Bullpen

Bud Norris (RHP): The only former Dodger on this list, Norris pitched well for the Cardinals in 2018, racking up 28 saves with a 3.59 ERA and a 10.46 K/9 in 57.2 innings. This was Norris’ second season closing, as he the Cardinals signed him after his closing stint with the Angels in 2017, in which he saved 19 games with 60 strikeouts.

Norris, a former starter, mostly mixes a fastball, cutter, and sinker to along with a slider. The cutter was his best pitch in 2018, with a 5.0 Pitch Info pitch value according to Fangraphs. Although he is a righty, Norris is best against left-handed hitters, pitching 59.2 innings against them over the last two seasons with a 2.41 ERA and only two home runs allowed.

If he can continue to keep lefties off base, he would be a valuable addition to the Dodgers ’pen. Norris will be entering his age 34 season in 2019, though his average velocities have not shown any decline over the last few seasons and he should cost only about $3 million per year based on what he earned after the 2017 season.