You’d think that after last winter’s spending on late-inning relievers, the Dodgers would explore other ways to improve a beleaguered bullpen.
Tanner Scott received $72 million over four years. Kirby Yates signed for $13 million for one year (There is 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 were arrested in their own way. Andreas Friedman – smart baseball executive – probably won’t go that route again, right?
Unfortunately…
The Dodgers are once again looking for a reliever on the free-agent market, which sources say includes at least one known target from last winter: two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams: https://t.co/Bq6v4O9lOX
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 12, 2025
I’m just as surprised as you are.
They have a clear need in the pen after a tumultuous 2025 season that saw the group post a 4.27 ERA, 4.05 FIP and a 14.8 K-BB%. It was easy, the worst bullpen performance by the Dodgers since this run began in 2013.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, there is no shortage of quality late-inning relievers available through 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 DiazMets
The clear best reliever on the market and possibly the best closer in the game, Diaz, 31, has opted out of the final three years of his five-year, $102 million deal with New York. This allowed the Mets to tag him with the qualifying offer and the overwhelming thought that Diaz ended up back with the Mets. He pitched to a 1.63 ERA, 2.28 FIP and a 29.8 K-BB%. While the Dodgers normally aren’t keen on signing non-premium free agents (positive), if the Dodgers were to break the bank and incur even more draft pick penalties for Diaz, I don’t think anyone would really be against that.
RHP Pete FairbanksRays
The Rays declined Fairbanks’ $11 million option, making him a free agent. It doesn’t matter that $11 million is a paltry amount to pay for a quality closer, the fact that he’s only available for cash is a bit of a happy thing. Fairbanks, 31, has a career 3.19 ERA, 3.10 FIP and a 20.7 K-BB%. He still ranks in the 90th percentile in fastball velocity, has a 30+ percent whiff rate on his slider and limits barrels in the 93rd percentile. In this scenario, he would be more involved in acquiring Yates in 2026 than Scott, meaning the Dodgers could look to add more than just Fairbanks to the bullpen.
RHP Ryan HelsleyMets
Helsley was one of the best closers in the game before 2025. He wasn’t that good with the Cardinals in ’25 before being traded to the Mets. In New York he had a complete meltdown. He had a 7.20 ERA, 5.19 FIP and an 11.6 K-BB%. Some thought so tilting his pitchesbut that’s really bad in 20 innings of work. Still, he has swing-and-miss stuff with his slider and 99th percentile fastball velocity. A little work in the Mark Prior Lab and he may be as good as new. I’m not sure if he would supplant Scott as the primary closer, but he would give the Dodgers another look from the right side late in games.
RHP Raisel IglesiasBrave
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, yes, 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 posted 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. A second-half adjustment that actually resulted in more flyouts, but only one home run in 30 2/3 innings saved his season. He has been one of the most consistent closers in the sport over the past decade (he was a starting pitcher in his rookie years), as he has only one season where he had an ERA and FIP above 4. He still misses bats – though, not like he did a few years ago – and could be a solid addition. He’s just, generally, not the sexiest choice the Dodgers could make here.
RHP Robert SuarezParents
Speaking of pitchers who will be in their mid-30s (35) when the season starts, Suarez declined the final two years of his contract for $16 million to become a free agent. It was clearly the right move for the former Padre, as he will easily reach $8 million per 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), but nothing that bends. It didn’t seem to matter as he had a 2.87 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 19.3 K-BB% over the last two years. Something that is a bit concerning is that his rotation usage has increased in 2025 and has been hit significantly harder than in recent years. His sinker was perhaps his best throw last season, as opponents hit just .102 against it and had an average exit velocity of 84 MPH. It’s not a big strikeout pitch, but it’s effective. He was also in the 16th percentile in exit velocity against, which we know is something the Dodgers value in all of their pitchers. He would be a solid addition, but wouldn’t be at the top of my list, especially considering he’s going to get a more lucrative contract than he signed with the Padres three seasons ago.
RHP Devin WilliamsYankees
The Dodgers have long been loved by Williams. When he was traded last winter, Williams thought so go to Los Angelesnot New York (and the Dodgers pivoted to Scott). It might have been better for him if he had. Williams had a rough season with the Yankees, despite some numbers saying otherwise. Williams had a 10.03 ERA through May 5, yet he had allowed runs in only four of his fourteen appearances to that point. Unfortunately for him, he gave up exactly three runs four times, resulting in 13 runs in 11 2/3 innings of work. From then until the end of the season, he had an ERA of 3.58, an FIP of 2.44 and a K-BB% of 30.8. Overall, his 4.79 ERA was downright ugly, but his 2.68 FIP was almost in line with his career mark (2.45). After an exit velo against the master, Williams saw his EVA jump to 89.5 MPH – 44th percentile. He had never been below the 94th percentile in all his qualifying seasons. He’s essentially a two-pitch pitcher at this point, as he’s thrown 37 four-seam fastballs/changeups over the last three seasons. If you have a field 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), Lucas Weaver (yankees)
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It’s clear the Dodgers want to add at least one late-inning option. Here’s how I would rank them taking into account probability, fit, and purchase cost.
- Williams
- Suarez
- Iglesias
- Fairbanks
- Helsley
- Diaz
Diaz would probably be at the top of the list – or no worse than second place – if he weren’t almost certainly going back to the Mets (plus the high cost and qualifying offer). Williams just makes the most sense, as the Dodgers have long had interest in him. Suarez is probably the most impactful of the remaining relievers, but Helsley has a chance to come back if he can figure out the tip issue. The Dodgers reportedly have an interest in Iglesias and Fairbanks is a common commodity at the moment.
They could scour the trade market for help, but it’s not likely they’ll find anyone better than Williams, who will only cost money.
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