3 best 'last resorts' for Dodgers to address bullpen in free agency

For all of the Dodgers' wins this season, there does seem to be one area where they've had a string of losses: bullpen arms. They lost out on Robert Stephenson to the Angels and Josh Hader to the Astros, and other relief arms Matt Moore and David Robertson have also come off the board. Although the Dodgers already have a good setup in their bullpen with Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, and co., if they are interested in making a few more additions, they'll need to move fast.

The free agent relief market was never incredibly strong to begin with, but with Hader, Stephenson, and Robertson gone, it's even less power-packed. However, if the Dodgers are still looking to make some upgrades, there are a few options left that range from serviceable to possible standouts, especially given the Dodgers' track record of working well with pitchers and getting the best work out of them.

3 best 'last resorts' for Dodgers to address bullpen in MLB free agency

Jakob Junis

Junis is coming off of his best season with the Giants, who kicked him back to the bullpen in 2023 after he made 17 starts with mixed results for them in 2022. During his seven-year career, he's performed in multiple roles for the Royals and then Giants. Even during his rookie season, he started 16 games and appeared in relief in four, closing one on the way. He's never had stellar results as a starter; before 2023, his best ERA year was that rookie season (4.30), and he hasn't quite been able to find his way since then.

However, something did seem to click for him as a reliever/occasional opener and closer for the Giants, because he kept his ERA below 4.00 for the first time in his career and earned a career-high strikeout rate (10.05 K/9). He's struggled with injury in the past and did see his 2023 season end prematurely in September with neck strain, but he was mostly able to stay healthy with the Giants and gave them the most innings of any reliever in 2023. Because of his recent injury, he could be a gamble but still an affordable option for the Dodgers (MLB Trade Rumors estimates $15 million over two years). Signing Junis would add a capable veteran arm to a relatively young bullpen.