The Los Angeles Dodgers, the biggest superteam in Major League Baseball over the last few years, just got absolutely bounced from the NLCS by the Milwaukee Brewers in a brutal four-game sweep. This wasn’t some fluke either, the Dodgers held the lead in every single game of that series! But now, as they turn their attention to the offseason, their top priority isn’t what anyone expected. ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez dropped the intel: instead of re-signing superstar Tarik Skubal, their biggest move is all about the bullpen.
That Crushing Sweep Forged a New Offseason Plan
Seriously, getting swept out of the NLCS, even when you’re leading every game, has to sting. Now that the dust has settled, the Dodgers are facing some critical tasks, and Gonzalez pulled back the curtain on their number one mission. Forget the chatter about bringing back a massive arm like Tarik Skubal. The front office is laser-focused on beefing up the bullpen. Gonzalez put it plainly: “Is it a major need? No. But it’s the biggest need on a roster where the lineup and the rotation are already packed with stars and depth.” That’s a pretty wild take for a team that’s supposed to be stacked, right?
Stars Everywhere Else, But the Bullpen Gets the Call
The Dodgers’ future looks pretty solid with their lineup returning in full for 2027, and their rotation boasts some of the game’s best starting pitching. Sure, getting Skubal back on a long-term deal would be sweet, but that dude is going to command a fortune, we’re talking likely north of $300 million. With the uncertainty swirling around MLB’s payroll, the smart play might be to allocate those resources to the ‘pen. The Dodgers will still have Edwin Diaz, Will Klein, Tanner Scott, and Edgardo Henriquez holding it down in relief. Plus, they’ve got options like Roki Sasaki and Jack Dryer who could step up. But with key guys like Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips, and Blake Treinen hitting the open market, adding a reliever or two is definitely in the Dodgers’ best interest. So, no, they don’t “desperately” need bullpen help, but Gonzalez is convinced it’s their top priority this offseason. Skubal would be nice, but it sounds like the Dodgers don’t truly need him, especially with that monster price tag.
So, as the Dodgers lick their wounds from that NLCS elimination, all eyes will be on their bullpen strategy. It’s going to be fascinating to see who they target to solidify that relief corps and what that means for their financial flexibility in the coming months.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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