The Los Angeles Dodgers are steamrolling through the 2024-25 offseason after streamrolling the New York Yankees to win the World Series.
In the last week, the Dodgers have signed coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, and reportedly come to terms with Tanner Scott, arguably the best reliever on the free agent market.
Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Dodgers were working toward a contract with free agent reliever Kirby Yates. Yates, who had 37 saves last season for the Texas Rangers, would give Los Angeles an embarrassment of riches in its bullpen.
Yates would also put the Dodgers’ roster over the limit of 40 players with a major-league contract.
Wednesday, Nightengale reported the Dodgers are looking to shop one of their relievers who’s been a solid contributor when healthy the last two years: Ryan Brasier.
Brasier, 37, went 1-0 with a 3.54 ERA in 29 appearances out of the Dodgers’ bullpen in 2024, with a stout 0.964 WHIP in 28 innings.
The veteran right-hander also made eight appearances in the postseason as the Dodgers marched to the World Series. He allowed five runs across nine innings, walking three batters and striking out seven.
Brasier originally joined the Dodgers on a minor league contract in June 2023 after he was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox. The Dodgers’ coaches introduced a cutter to his repertoire, promoted him to the majors shortly thereafter, and saw him go 2-0 with a 0.70 ERA in 39 appearances the rest of the season.
The Dodgers’ ability to turn Brasier into one of their more reliable relief pitchers was among the best stories on a star-studded team that has won 12 of the last 13 National League West titles and two of the last five World Series.
Nightengale was the first to report the Dodgers were closing in on Yates, 37, who has a strong track record of relief pitching going back a decade.
Last year, Yates accrued more Win Probability Added (4.43) than all but one reliever in baseball. In 422 career appearances, Yates has closed, set up, and generally thrived in one-inning increments for six different teams.
Besides Scott, the Dodgers could in theory turn to right-handers Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, and Evan Phillips — all closers as recently as last season — for saves in 2025.
