Dodgers release J.T. Chargois; Preliminary look at the bullpen

On Saturday the Los Angeles Dodgers released reliever J.T. Chargois.  With that move here is a preliminary look at LA’s bullpen for 2020.

Saturday afternoon it was announced that the Los Angeles Dodgers released reliever J.T. Chargois so that Chargois can sign with a team in Japan.  The Dodgers bullpen was already shaping up to be a stiff competition in spring training and Chargois is out of options and most likely figured his best chance at success would be to head over to Japan.

Chargois was a second-round pick in the 2012 MLB draft and the Dodgers took a chance on him when he hit waivers.  Chargois appeared in 85 big league games and pitched to an ERA of 4.58.  J.T. should find better success overseas as his stuff is very good and it’s surprising he could not put it all together in the majors.  Chargois features a mid 90s fastball with movement and a sharp biting slider.

The Dodgers’ bullpen is still crowded even with Julio Urias shifting into the rotation.  If the rotation shapes up to be Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, Dustin May, and Kenta Maeda then Tony Gonsolin and Ross Stripling will be in the running for a long-relief role.  The 26 man roster will take effect in 2020 but each team can only have a maximum of thirteen pitchers on the roster meaning a max of eight relievers.

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The relievers who should be a lock for the opening day roster (barring injury) are Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen, Joe Kelly, Pedro Baez, and Adam Kolarek.  That leaves three open bullpen spots that will be battled for with the competitors being Dylan Floro, Caleb Ferguson, Scott Alexander, and Casey Sadler in addition to Stripling and Gonsolin.  Dustin May or Julio Urias could begin their season in the pen if the Dodgers are going to limit their innings.

Relievers with options remaining are Caleb Ferguson, Adam Kolarek, Dylan Floro, Tony Gonsolin, and Scott Alexander.  Casey Sadler is out of options and Ross Stripling has two options left but the Dodgers are unlikely to option him to the minor leagues.  That means Casey Sadler will likely make the opening day roster if the Dodgers do not want to risk losing him.  The bullpen could consist of Jansen, Treinen, Baez, Kelly, Kolarek, Sadler, Ferguson, and Stripling if Ross misses out on the rotation.

There is always a chance that more moves could be made before the off-season ends whether it’s more relievers being signed or current relievers being sent elsewhere.  The Dodgers have had a very dull off-season so far but with two months remaining before the regular season, there is still a chance more moves will be made.