Dodgers haters will be furious at LA's two newest relief targets

When the Dodgers re-signed Blake Treinen on Sunday night (a piece of news that went mostly unnoticed with all of the noise generated by Juan Soto's signing with the Mets), it seemed like they could now mostly be done with adding bullpen arms. Getting Treinen back meant that they had retained almost the entirety of the 2024 bullpen apart from Joe Kelly, and left room for a prospect or two to get a shot on the Opening Day roster next season.

But we're only partway through the offseason now, and the Dodgers' ambitions to buy and add more and more should never be underestimated.

Following Treinen's re-signing, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that fans shouldn't expect Treinen to be the last bullpen piece to fall (back) into place, and that LA was eyeing both Brewers closer Devin Williams and Padres reliever Tanner Scott, who closed 35 games for Miami this past season, as trade pieces (subscription required).

On paper, the Dodgers already have a closer in Michael Kopech. However, given how reticent they were to just give Evan Phillips the official closer designation last offseason, it would make sense if LA wants to keep their options open in terms of reliever usage.

Dodgers expressing interest in Devin Williams, Tanner Scott after Blake Treinen signing

The Dodgers have been loosely connected to Williams on and off over the last few years, particularly in conjunction with a potential trade with the Brewers for Willy Adames, who signed with the Giants this week. The changeup artist is in his last year of arbitration eligibility and is expected to make around $8-8.5 million for 2025, and the Brewers have said they're "open-minded" about trading him.

Scott was sent to San Diego in a much-maligned trade from the Marlins at the trade deadline, when Miami walked away with five prospects for Scott and pitcher Bryan Hoeing. Scott ended up doing decent work for the Padres, but hopefully the Dodgers won't feel compelled to give up quite that much for him again monetarily.

Robert Suarez's presence on the Padres' roster kept Scott from being a full-time closer, though he did finish six games in San Diego and is credited with four saves. Williams' season was shortened due to injury, but he still racked up 14 saves over just two full months of play.

One would think that getting Williams especially would mean the Dodgers planned to lock down an official closer, but they seem to enjoy playing fast and loose with their bullpen configurations. Still, either would be another powerhouse addition to a bullpen that basically ended up carrying the team in the late months of this past season.