Rosenthal: Dodgers Targeting Relievers After $107M Bullpen Falters

During the offseason, Los Angeles spent $107 million on relievers Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and Blake Treinen. Treinen and Yates have missed large portions of the season with injury, leading Rosenthal to highlight Scott’s struggles as the primary reason Los Angeles wants to upgrade the position.

Scott has been anything but consistent in the ninth inning. His seven blown saves lead all of baseball, and his 4.09 ERA is the third-highest among closers with at least 10 saves. Rosenthal did not indicate the Dodgers want to remove Scott from the closer role, but did not shy away from reiterating the pressing need to add another dominant arm to the pen.

Despite Treinen, Michael Kopech, and Brusdar Graterol all being on track to return in the second half, there is no guarantee their production will match their previous success. Rosenthal did not list relievers the Dodgers plan to target at the deadline, but notes that Andrew Friedman, Los Angeles’ president of baseball operations, is not pleased he will be shopping to bolster the roster after spending an absurd amount of money to avoid doing so the last two winters.