Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Blake Treinen
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed relief pitcher Blake Treinen. Treinen signed a one year contract worth 10 million dollars. The Dodgers were not able to add a starting pitcher at the Winter meetings but they did add a potentially big bullpen piece.
Blake Treinen
Blake Treinen is a 31-year-old right-handed relief pitcher who has pitched for two teams in his six-year career. Treinen’s 2018 season was one of the best any relief pitcher has ever had. As the closer for the Oakland Athletics, Treinen went 9-2 with 38 saves. in 80 innings Treinen had an ERA of .78 and a WHIP of .834 and also struck out 100 batters.
However, Treinen had a terrible 2019 season that saw the Athletics remove him from the closer role. Treinen went 6-5 with 16 saves and a 4.91 ERA in 58 innings pitched. For his career, Treinen is 26-22 with 71 saves. In 400 innings pitcher Treinen has a 2.97 ERA and a 1.823 WHIP with 391 strikeouts. Treinen has also pitched for the Washington Nationals.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are on a streak of seven straight National League Western division titles. But they have not been able to win the World Series during that time. Despite having a loaded roster with talent at every position and an equally loaded minor league system the Dodgers have had issues in their bullpen.
Kenley Jansen has been the closer since the 2012 season. His 301 career saves and 2.35 ERA are certainly good numbers. Jensen has also been a good postseason pitcher with 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA. Despite a couple of bad outings in the playoffs, Jansen has been a great piece in the Dodgers bullpen.
The issue is getting to Jansen. As we saw this past season Clayton Kershaw pitched in relief and allowed the Nationals to tie up and eventually win the deciding game of the NLDS. Joe Kelly was signed off a big 2018 season pitching out of the pen for the world champion Boston Red Sox. Kelly had a disappointing season with a 5-4 record and a 4.56 ERA.
If Treinen has a bounce-back season he could form a potent two-headed closer with Jansen. The Dodgers are a team with lots of young talent but they do need to eventually win a World Series. Blake Treinen could be the missing piece.
