
Craig Stammen
The former Padre Craig Stammen could be another bargain signing for the Dodgers who would provide another effective setup option for Kenley Jansen. Stammen allowed a .290 average to right-handed batters but over the last three seasons, they have hit just .232 against him. Lefties haven’t fared much better with a .237 average against Stammen.
Perhaps the best trait for Stammen is that he is durable. Over the last three years, Stammen has pitched at least 79 innings in every season. The Dodgers have had some bad luck with reliever injuries over the last few seasons so a stable innings eater like Craig Stammen could be exactly what the bullpen needs. Stammen is a sinkerball pitcher who relies on inducing ground balls for outs.
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Out of the four relievers in this article, Stammen will likely sign the cheapest deal but it wouldn’t be surprising if he performed the best of the four. The top of the free-agent market features big names like Daniel Hudson and Will Harris, but the Dodgers do not need to spend top dollar to improve their bullpen. Any of the four relievers in this article would help in 2020.
After forking out roughly eight million a season for Joe Kelly last winter, it is unlikely that the Dodgers shop at the top of the reliever market. Especially if they do intend to pursue Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg, or Gerrit Cole. One way or another, the Dodgers adding another quality reliever is as important as adding another starting pitcher or hitter this off-season.
The team cannot roll into 2020 with the bullpen as it is currently constructed. If they do then that would just be asking for a repeat of the 2019 National League Division Series.