By Shaun McAvoyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Los Angeles Dodgers still have areas for improvement despite winning their second-straight World Series.
Though the Dodgers won the World Series again, they came just inches away from losing to the Toronto Blue Jays. One area of concern for Los Angeles this offseason will be improving its bullpen by adding a closer. The Dodgers signed Tanner Scott last offseason to a four-year, $72 million contract, but had to move him off the closer position due to inconsistent performance.
Throughout the postseason, Los Angeles turned to Rōki Sasaki as its closer and utilized its surplus of talented starters, but could bring in a new closer this winter with Sasaki set to return to the starting rotation next season. MLB.com's David Adler suggested the Dodgers could target New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz to improve their bullpen for next year.
..."The Dodgers' bullpen was one of their biggest strengths on their 2024 title run," Adler wrote Thursday. "But it was one of their biggest weaknesses in 2025. Los Angeles scraped by in the playoffs thanks to a historically dominant starting rotation — and by using those starters as relievers. Roki Sasaki took over as L.A.'s primary playoff closer, but he's going back to the starting rotation in 2026.
"So the 2026 Dodger bullpen will have to look a whole lot different. This team needs a closer, particularly after Tanner Scott's rocky season, and probably more fresh arms on top of that considering the high volatility of the relief corps in 2025. Luckily, there are plenty of late-inning options out there in free agency, chief among them Edwin Díaz — the Dodgers are generally considered one of the best fits for the three-time All-Star closer -- but also big arms like Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks and bounceback candidates like Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley."
Díaz would be a great addition to Los Angeles' bullpen. The 31-year-old is a three-time All-Star who posted 28 saves in 62 appearances this season with 98 strikeouts. Díaz opted out of his contract with the Mets and is ready to test free agency.
Even after winning the World Series last season, the Dodgers were willing to spend big in free agency to bring in talented players. Will they be willing to do the same this season?
More MLB: Dodgers Urged to Target Red Sox Outfielder in Blockbuster Trade
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