The Los Angeles Dodgers have had quite the offseason, spending big to upgrade every corner of their roster. That’s saying something considering they’re heading into 2025 as the defending World Series champions.
Their recent additions to the bullpen, first Tanner Scott and then Kirby Yates, have put them in a bit of a roster crunch — one the Philadelphia Phillies should be keeping a close eye on.
Phillies should monitor DFA’d Dodgers reliever Ryan Brasier as potential bullpen boost
After the Yates deal became official, the Dodgers were forced to designate one of their relievers for assignment. Right-hander Ryan Brasier was the unlucky victim, as he was DFA’d on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster. The Dodgers have seven days to decide what to do with Brasier. Will they place him on waivers or try to find a trade partner?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with RHP Kirby Yates on a one-year contract for $13 million. The Dodgers designated RHP Ryan Brasier for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 31, 2025
The Phillies’ bullpen still feels like it could use some depth. Despite signing Jordan Romano and Joe Ross, losing both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez in free agency this offseason has left some question marks about the backend.
Snagging Brasier would go a long way to helping that cause. There’s no way he will fall to the Phillies if placed on waivers, but if the Dodgers decide to trade him, the Phillies can kick the tires. The other possibility, as unlikely as it is, is if Brasier somehow clears waivers, he has the right to refuse the minor league assignment and could become a free agent.
The 37-year-old has a 3.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 285 1/3 innings in parts of eight MLB seasons. He missed a big chunk of 2024 with a calf injury but posted a 3.54 ERA in 28 innings. After he returned from the IL in August, his ERA was a sparkling 2.76 in 16 1/3 frames.
Brasier doesn’t feature the high-velocity arsenal the Phillies seem to like in the bullpen but still features a mid-90s four-seamer and sinker, with a 90 mph cutter and a mid-80s slider that he relied on 42 percent of the time in 2024. He had a league-average 22.7 percent strikeout rate last year, registering 25 strikeouts in his 28 innings with a better than 90th percentile chase rate at 34.8 percent.
One thing Brasier doesn’t do is issue walks — he gave up just five free passes against 110 batters. His 4.5 percent walk rate would have been close to a 90th-percentile outcome if he had pitched enough to qualify.
We’ll have to see what path the Dodgers take with Brasier. While it’s a longshot at best, the Phillies need to keep tabs on the situation.
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