Dave Roberts Avoids Naming Dodgers' Closer for 2024 Season
One of the few areas that the Dodgers front office hasn't completely overhauled this offseason is the bullpen. The team has been linked with multiple big names over the course of the winter, but nothing has come to fruition.
The team has been expected to use the closer-by-committee approach that they used last season despite all the depth that they have. Right-hander Evan Phillips is still a candidate to receive many of the opportunities, but manager Dave Roberts was careful to avoid naming anything decisively.
“I definitely don’t think it’s going to be like it was last year,” Roberts said. “I think with Evan, what he did in that role – he did a very nice job. I wouldn’t say (closer by) committee. It’s a good conversation. I don’t think we need to have it right now."
The Dodgers bullpen was one of the better units in the league in the second half of last season, and they are hoping to replicate their successes this season. Having guys like Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly and J.P. Feyereisen, among others, gives Los Angeles options.
“I do see Evan doing the brunt of the closing of games. But I still believe it’s prudent to kind of keep that door open where if there’s opportunities in the eighth inning where I think he’s the best option to help us win a baseball game to do that. So I’m going to have a conversation with him. But I think our bullpen is going to be a strength.”
If the Dodgers unit is able to be a strength of the team, they will be very tough to beat. Los Angeles is seen as one of the favorites to win the World Series next season, with their retooled pitching staff being a big reason why.
