The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again seeking stability in their ninth inning after Roki Sasaki transitions back to the rotation following his role as primary closer in the 2025 playoffs. Despite winning back-to-back World Series titles, the team's bullpen struggles persist. This offseason, they must decide whether to rely on existing talent or pursue high-profile free agents.
Since parting ways with Kenley Jansen at the end of the 2021 season, the Dodgers' closer position has become a revolving door. The team attempted to address this last offseason by signing Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract, re-signing Blake Treinen for two years and $22 million, and adding Kirby Yates on a one-year, $13 million deal. However, the results were disappointing: Scott blew 10 saves with a 4.74 ERA, while Treinen and Yates also underperformed.
A key question is whether Scott can return to his 2024 All-Star form. If not, the Dodgers may explore the free-agent market again. The top available closer is Edwin Díaz, who earned his third Reliever of the Year Award in 2025. The 31-year-old opted out of the final two years of his five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets—the richest ever for a reliever—and is expected to seek a similar average annual value.
Other options include Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley, both former All-Stars who had down years in 2025. With Scott still under contract for three more years, the Dodgers must weigh the risks of adding another high-salary reliever. Solving this ninth-inning issue could be crucial as they aim for a three-peat.