After their bullpen carried them through the postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers knew they had to bolster their pitching staff, despite winning the World Series.
LA somehow pushed through the playoffs with three healthy starting pitchers and a fierce bullpen. The Dodgers are in a similar position early in 2025 with Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and more on the injured list.
Luckily, the Dodgers bolstered their bullpen after 2024's lesson in the importance of pitching depth. Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates headlined their relief additions, but former Brewers closer Devin Williams was also on the table.
Steve Henson of The LA Times reported on Dec. 17 that Williams was told he'd be shipped to the Dodgers instead of the American League pennant winners, the Yankees (subscription required). New York swept in and took Williams out from under Los Angeles' nose, and just one month into the 2025 slate, LA should be thankful.
The Yankees stealing top trade candidate Devin Williams from Dodgers actually saved LA's bullpen
Williams has gotten off to a rough start in pinstripes. He's posted a 10.03 ERA with 13 strikeouts, 10 walks and four saves in five opportunities across 11.2 innings (he also blew a four-run lead that technically did not qualify as a save chance). Williams was demoted from the Yankees' closer slot on April 27, but his struggles have persisted. He and Luke Weaver imploded on May 5 to give up a 3-0 lead to the Padres, who now trail the Dodgers for second place in the National League West. To add insult to injury, he also shaved his beard off just before the Yankees repealed their antiquated facial hair policy.
The Dodgers' bullpen has pitched a league-leading 153 innings so far this year. Relievers have also opened a few games and made some spot starts to account for LA's many starter injuries, so there are even more miles on the 'pen than it seems on the surface through the first month.
Despite the bullpen's high workload, Scott and Yates, LA's two best offseason relief additions, have performed well. Yates has posted a 2.76 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 16.1 innings, good for 15.43 K/9. Scott has clocked a 2.16 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 16.1 innings with eight saves in 10 opportunities.
Had LA successfully traded for Williams, it could be in a much worse position record-wise. His early track record with the Yankees suggests he wouldn't have performed as well as Scott has in high-leverage situations. If the former Brewer was their closer, a few of the Dodgers' much-needed wins, especially in this season's tight NL West, could've gone the other way. LA should thank New York for the unexpected trade thievery that helped save its bullpen.
