Fresh off another World Series win, the Los Angeles Dodgers are already making moves, and they have made it clear that they are not done. They want to refresh their bullpen with a high-leverage reliever. The Dodgers’ bullpen, which had been a strength for a season and a half, struggled down the stretch in 2025. However, Los Angeles is not the only team looking for relief this winter. Bullpen arms are the hottest market, according to many general managers as they met in Las Vegas this week. But here are four names the Dodgers could be looking at as they retool for next season.
Four Options to Bolster the Dodgers Bullpen This Offseason
A Met on the Market
Edwin Díaz may be the best free agent reliever on the market this winter. His 1.63 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 66 innings make a good case for him. The Dodgers can afford anyone they want, and he would be a perfect complement to left-handed closer Tanner Scott if the latter rebounds from his struggles in 2025. But here is the rub. Díaz is probably looking for a five-year contract for about $100 million. Los Angeles President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has shown a reluctance to spend that kind of money on a relief arm, and he has already committed to Scott for another three years. So far, Scott has an underwhelming return on investment. It is doubtful that Friedman would commit that much for that long for Díaz.
A Former Redbird
Ryan Helsley was highly sought after at the trade deadline this past season. However, he didn’t do so well once he was traded to the New York Mets, and his ERA ballooned to above 4.00. However, his velocity is good, and apart from last year, his ERA is better than average. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is really high, and so the fact that his stuff can miss bats is attractive. Furthermore, the right-hander wouldn’t require a long-term contract, as he would be in rebound mode after his less-than-stellar stint in New York.
An Old Connection
Pete Fairbanks is another option, and Friedman is very familiar with the people and resources of the Tampa Bay Rays, Fairbanks’ current team, from his tenure as their GM. The right-hander drew interest last year but stayed with the Rays. However, Fairbanks is a free agent now and looking for a new home. Other Tampa Bay transplants, such as Evan Phillips, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, have done well in a Dodgers uniform. If Fairbanks could recoup some miles per hour on his fastball, he might be a fit in Los Angeles.
A Second Chance
The Dodgers were interested in trading for Devin Williams last offseason. However, the New York Yankees acquired him. Unfortunately, the closer struggled in the Big Apple with a 7.00 ERA. The right-hander has said he has made adjustments to his mechanics. Now, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that there is now mutual interest between the two parties. Williams has displayed some filthy stuff in the past. His career ERA hovers around 2.00, and he has great swing and miss stuff.
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
It remains to be seen what buttons the Dodgers push for their bullpen, if any, but it sure makes for an interesting discussion.
Main Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
