One would think after last winter’s spending on late-inning relievers, the Dodgers would explore other ways to improve a beleaguered bullpen.
Tanner Scott got $72 million over four years. Kirby Yates signed for $13 million for one year (no such thing as a bad 1-year deal). And that’s after the Dodgers re-signed Blake Treinen for $22 million over two years. All three busted in their own ways. Andrew Friedman — smart baseball executive — probably won’t go that route again, right?
Alas…
The Dodgers are once again seeking a reliever on the free-agent market, which includes at least one familiar target from last winter, per sources: two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams: https://t.co/Bq6v4O9lOX
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 12, 2025
I’m as surprised as you are.
They have a definite need in the ‘pen after a tumultuous 2025 season that saw the group pitch 4.27 ERA, 4.05 FIP and a 14.8 K-BB%. It was, easily, the worst bullpen performance by the Dodgers since this run began in 2013.
Luckily for the Dodgers, there are no shortage of quality late-inning relievers available via free agency. I’m sure there are some available via trade, but we’re just going to focus on the free-agent market.
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RHP Edwin Diaz, Mets
The clear-cut best reliever on the market and possibly the best closer in the game, Diaz, 31, opted out of the final three years of his 5-year, $102 million deal with New York. Doing so allowed the Mets to tag him with the qualifying offer and the overwhelming thought it Diaz ends up back with the Mets. He pitched to a 1.63 ERA, 2.28 FIP and a 29.8 K-BB%. While the Dodgers aren’t usually keen on signing non-premium free agents (position-wise), but if the Dodgers were to break the bank and suffer even more draft pick penalties for Diaz, I don’t think anyone would really oppose that.
RHP Pete Fairbanks, Rays
The Rays declined Fairbanks’ $11 million option, making him a free agent. Never mind the fact that $11 million is a paltry amount to pay a quality closer, the fact that he’s available just for money is a bit fortunate. Fairbanks, 31, has a career 3.19 ERA, 3.10 FIP and a 20.7 K-BB%. He’s still in the 90th percentile in fastball velocity has a 30-plus percent whiff rate on his slider and limits barrels in the 93rd percentile. He’d be more of the 2026 acquisition of Yates than Scott in this scenario, meaning the Dodgers could look to add more than just Fairbanks to the bullpen.
RHP Ryan Helsley, Mets
Helsley was one of the best closers in the game prior to 2025. He wasn’t as good with the Cardinals in ’25 before getting traded to the Mets. In New York, he had a full-fledged meltdown. He had a 7.20 ERA, 5.19 FIP and an 11.6 K-BB%. There was some thought that he was tipping his pitches, but that’s an awful lot of bad in 20 innings of work. Still, he boasts swing-and-miss stuff with his slider and 99th percentile fastball velocity. A little work in the Mark Prior Lab and he could be as good as new. I’m not sure he’d displace Scott as the primary closer, but he’d give the Dodgers another look from the right side late in games.
RHP Raisel Iglesias, Braves
Iglesias will be 36 years old heading into the 2026 season, which doesn’t seem possible. Then you realize he’s been in the league for 11 years and, yeah, time files. The Atlanta closer got off to a rough start last season. He pitched to a 4.42 ERA and 4.06 FIP. He was a different pitcher after the All-Star break, as he logged a 1.76 ERA and 2.42 FIP en route to leading the National League in games finished (for whatever that’s worth). He was stung by the home run ball in the first half, as he allowed seven in just 36 2/3 innings. An adjustment in the second half that actually resulted in more fly balls, yet just one homer allowed in 30 2/3 innings saved his season. He’s been one of the most consistent closers in the game over the last decade (he was a starting pitcher in his rookie years), as he has just one season that saw him have an ERA and FIP greater than 4. He still misses bats — though, not like he did a few years ago — and could be a solid addition. He’s just, overall, not the sexiest choice the Dodgers could make here.
RHP Robert Suarez, Padres
Speaking of pitchers in their mid-30s (35) when the seasons starts, Suarez declined the final two years of his contract at $16 million to become a free agent. It was clearly the right move for the former Padre, as he’ll easily top $8 million/season in this market. Suarez is one of the hardest-throwing relievers in the game with a strong 3-pitch mix (4-seamer, changeup, sinker), yet nothing that bends. It hasn’t seemed to matter as he has a 2.87 ERA, 3.17 FIP and a 19.3 K-BB% over the last two years. Something that’s a bit concerning is his changeup usage increased in 2025 and got hit significantly harder than in years past. His sinker might have been his best pitch last season, as opposing batters hit just .102 against it and had an average exit velocity of 84 MPH. It isn’t a big strikeout pitch, but it’s effective. He was also in the 16th percentile in exit velo against, which we know is something the Dodgers value in all their hurlers. He’d be a solid addition, but wouldn’t be atop my list, especially considering he’s going to get a more lucrative contract than he signed with the Padres three offseasons ago.
RHP Devin Williams, Yankees
The Dodgers have been liked to Williams for quite some time. When he was traded last winter, Williams thought he was going to Los Angeles, not New York (and the Dodgers pivoted to Scott). It may have been better for him if he did. Williams endured a rocky season with the Yankees, despite some metrics saying otherwise. Williams had a 10.03 ERA through May 5, yet he had allowed runs in just four of his 14 outings to that point. Unfortunately for him, he gave up exactly three runs four times, leading to 13 runs in 11 2/3 innings of work. From that point through the end of the season, he had a 3.58 ERA and 2.44 FIP and a 30.8 K-BB%. Overall, his 4.79 ERA was downright ugly, but his 2.68 FIP was almost in line with his career mark (2.45). Once an exit velo against master, Williams saw his EVA jump to 89.5 MPH — 44th percentile. He had never been below the 94th percentile in all his qualified seasons. He’s basically a 2-pitch pitcher at this point, as he has thrown 37 non-4-seam fastballs/changeups over the last three seasons. When you have a pitch nicknamed “The Airbender,” you can get away with that. There’s a lot to like in the underlying metrics.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Finnegan (Tigers), Kenley Jansen (Angels), Luke Weaver (Yankees)
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It’s clear the Dodgers want to add at least one late-inning option. Here’s how I’d rank them when factoring in likelihood, fit and acquisition cost.
Williams
Suarez
Iglesias
Fairbanks
Helsley
Diaz
Diaz would probably top the list — or be no worse than second — if he wasn’t all but assuredly going back to the Mets (plus the high cost and qualifying offer). Williams just makes the most sense, as the Dodgers have had long-standing interest in him. Suarez is probably the most impactful of the remaining relievers, but Helsley has a chance to bounce back if he can figure out the tipping issue. The Dodgers reportedly have interest in Iglesias, and Fairbanks is a known commodity at this point.
They could scour the trade market for relief help, but they aren’t likely to find anyone better than Williams, who will just cost money.
