Dodgers: A Changing NL East Could Bring Big Pieces to LA

Drew Steckenrider and Adam Conley

Other pieces that could make their way over include Marlin’s bullpen pieces, like Drew Steckenreider and Adam Conley. Adding bullpen pieces of this caliber is not as fun as adding someone like David Robertson or Kelvin Herrera. But the Dodgers really just need to add experienced back-end depth, and if they need to hold onto their money in order to sign a second baseman or in order to extend a core player, that is valid.

Steckenreider began closing games for the Marlins late in 2018, while Barraclough (who was dealt to the Nationals in October) was hurt. Steckenreider throws a firm but flat fastball that sits 95 mph but can get up near triple digits. His innings have been somewhat limited over his first two MLB seasons, with just 99.1 innings over the 2017 and 2018 seasons, but he will be a near lock to be fresh for a playoff run, which is more than you can say about Kenley Jansen.

Steckenreider did struggle in save opportunities last season, going just 5/10 in them. But he was a force in the seventh and eighth innings, which would be his role in LA, as he combined for a 2.38 ERA in these late innings in 2018.

Adam Conley is a lesser piece than Steckenreider in terms of pure stuff, but he brings a different package to the bullpen. A former starter, Conley throws a dirty changeup and slider, even if he lacks a fastball, and had an eye-opening first half in 2018.

He also is a lefty arm who thrives against lefties, something the Dodgers lacked in 2018, though Tony Cingrani has reportedly been brought back on a one year deal to avoid arbitration. He threw 25 innings to lefties last season with a 2.52 ERA and .179 batting average against.