All indications point to the Los Angeles Dodgers not only having interest in some of the top players in free agency but those who may be available via trade as well. Thus far L.A. has been connected to the likes of Gerrit Cole, Josh Donaldson, Francisco Lindor, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, among others.
Although Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has a history of shying away from the type of long-term contract Cole and Strasburg should receive, pitchers of their caliber have not often become free agents at this stage in their respective careers.
Amid some skepticism over how willing Friedman may be to sign a top free agent, he has proven successful with under-the-radar additions. Along with the marquee headliners in free agency, the Dodgers also are said to have interest in Kevin Gausman as well.
With the annual Winter Meetings days from beginning, the Dodgers’ scope has grown to include Blake Treinen, according to Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
The Dodgers have expressed interest in Blake Treinen, per source. Treinen was arguably the best reliever in baseball in 2018 before struggling in 2019. The A’s non-tendered him earlier this week.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) December 5, 2019
Treinen was an All-Star for the Oakland Athletics in 2018 when he went 9-2 with a career-best 0.78 ERA and 38 saves. He placed sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting and appeared on the final MVP ballot.
However this past season was the complete opposite for the 31-year-old. Treinen appeared in 57 games but only managed 16 saves, was 6-5 and pitched to a career-worst 4.91 ERA. He additionally sported a 1.62 WHIP and nearly six walks per nine innings. As a result the Athletics non-tendered him and Treinen immediately became a free agent.
If the Dodgers manage to sign Treinen to a team-friendly contract, the organization has a track record of assisting pitchers in revitalizing their career and repertoire. Should that hold true with the right-hander, L.A. suddenly would have themselves a dominant option at the back of their bullpen.
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