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The Dodger bullpen spent most of 2022 in flux and the offseason left fantasy drafters with more questions than answers regarding who to draft for saves in L.A.
Craig Kimbrel recorded 22 of the team's 43 saves despite struggling to a 3.75 ERA and a ghastly 1.32 WHIP. Kimbrel is now in Philadelphia and manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers will go with a closer by committee in 2023.
There are plenty of talented arms in Los Angeles. Who will lead the team in saves? Can one pitcher emerge to be a highly-valuable reliever in fantasy? Let's break it down.
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Dodgers Closer Candidates
Phillips was the team's best reliever in 2022 despite only earning two saves. He was downright filthy, pitching to a 1.14 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and earning 77 strikeouts across 63 innings. Some regression is to be expected, but Phillips emerged as one of the top relievers in baseball as he finished 98th percentile or better in xBA, xwOBA, and xERA, along with a strong 33% K-rate. Phillips is the best pitcher in this bullpen. The only issue may be Roberts using him in a fireman role, rather than a traditional closer.
Husdon got off to a nice start last season before tearing his ACL in June. Prior to his injury, Hudson accrued five saves and posted a 2.22 ERA across 24 1/3 innings. The 36-year-old has plenty of closing experience, but there are more talented arms in this bullpen making it tough to see a path for Hudson to hold the closer role all by himself.
The Dodgers finally seem ready to give up on Graterol as a starter, and his arsenal should have fantasy managers salivating if he becomes the team's closer. Graterol throws a four-seamer and sinker over 99 MPH with a nasty slider that posted a 38.6% whiff rate last season. He's worth a flier in any league that values saves to see if he can run with the closer role.
Vesia is another uber-talented reliever coming off a great season that saw him post a 2.15 ERA and an elite 34.8% K-rate across 54 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old has the ability to close, however, as the best lefty in the bullpen, it seems unlikely he'll get the chance. Vesia has value in holds leagues, but don't expect him to earn many saves.
Others to Consider?
Alex Reyes signed a one-year "prove it" deal after missing all of 2022 with a shoulder injury. Reyes was once an All-Star with St. Louis, but may not be ready for the season and has workload concerns. Yency Almonte pitched well across 35 1/3 innings, but he's not worth chasing on draft day.
Fantasy Baseball Verdict
Phillips and Graterol are the names to target as their upside is massive if either wins the job outright. If Roberts sticks to his committee approach, each will have value thanks to good ratios and plenty of K's. Hudson is a deep-league option where anyone getting a few saves is worth rostering. Vesia is good, but best left for saves-plus-holds formats.
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