Dodgers: Predicting which free agents return in 2021

Predicting 2021 Dodgers Free Agents: Pedro Báez

Prediction: Re-signs on short-term deal

An unheralded arm out of the bullpen, Pedro Báez enters his final season of team-control in 2020, making him eligible to hit the open market next offseason.

Used as a set-up man in either the 7th or 8th inning, the right-hander has provided steady results sine 2015. In 337 appearances, he has rarely ever deviated too far from his 3.03 career ERA from season-to-season. You can pretty much write down that he will give you 65-70 appearances, with a high strikeout rate, and a three-run ERA before each season, and watch it come true.

Where Báez gets himself into trouble is with his control. In 2017 and 2018, he saw his walk rate hover around four, but improved that to 2.97 BB/9 last season. The 32-year-old still seems to have plenty left in his tank.

Finding a veteran reliever who is comfortable in their role, provides consistent performance, and has pitched in the pressures of a pennant race is not easy. I would imagine the Dodgers try to bring Báez back on a short-term deal.