Dodgers sign Blake Treinen in statement move for bullpen

The Dodgers aren’t messing around in their bullpen, and have signed Blake Treinen.

The Dodgers likely enjoyed everything they saw from Blake Treinen in a redemptive 2020 season, especially in the playoffs.

In fact, the biggest complaint the fan base likely had regarding the power sinkerballer was that his comeback was so emphatic it would ultimately prove to price him out of LA’s range this winter.

Well, think again.

The Dodgers announced they’d agreed with Treinen on a two-year deal Tuesday night that features an $8 million club option, the latest of many indications that Los Angeles isn’t backing down whatsoever from building a powerful bullpen during this turbulent offseason.

Treinen’s step back in 2019 allowed him to be signed by the Dodgers at a discount, but he left no doubt of what he was capable of at his near-peak with a masterful 2020, occasionally taking over high-leverage and closing-type situations from Kenley Jansen during the postseason.

On the surface, the 32-year-old righty’s numbers don’t look spectacular; one brutal outing in both the NLCS and World Series bumped his ERA up for those two rounds (he faltered in the Brett Phillips game, but who didn’t?). But overall, Treinen bounced back and impressively handled the seventh and eighth throughout the campaign, posting a 3.86 ERA and whiffing 22 in 25.2 innings pitched.

When Indians star Brad Hand’s option was declined rather than picked up without a second though, that changed the offseason’s trajectory. Suddenly, Treinen’s return seemed more likely — after all, would anyone else spend money?

The details of the righty’s contract indicates that both parties should be extremely satisfied, especially in 2020-21.

Since the end of last season, LA has (likely) lost stalwart righty Pedro Baez, but they will retain Joe Kelly and Kenley Jansen, and have added Corey Knebel from the Brewers and Treinen, while potentially still chasing Liam Hendriks alongside the Astros.

Clearly, the bullpen is a priority for Los Angeles — looks like they rewatched their playoff run, huh?

This is a major return, even if nothing else materializes.

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