Dodgers boost bullpen by re- signing Treinen
Right- hander receives two- year deal with team option for 2023.
The Dodgers addressed one of their top priorities this offseason by re- signing Blake Treinen to a two- year contract with a team option for the 2023 season Tuesday.
Treinen is guaranteed $ 17.5 million over the next two seasons, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The club option is worth $ 8 million. He will receive a $ 4- million signing bonus, a $ 6- million salary each of the first two years, and a $ 1.5- million buyout if the Dodgers don’t exercise the option for 2023. The 32year- old right- hander could earn up to $ 24 million over the next three seasons.
A year ago, the Dodgers saw Treinen as a low- risk opportunity. Treinen was one of the best relievers in the majors with the Oakland Athletics in 2018, when he posted a 0.78 earned- run average and 38 saves in 68 appearances. He made the AllStar team and finished sixth in the American League Cy Young Award voting.
But the sinker specialist stumbled in 2019. His ERA ballooned to 4.91. His walk rate surged to 5.7 per nine innings. The Athletics, always looking to shave dollars, did not re- sign him. The Dodgers, confident they could remedy his struggles, pounced and gave him a oneyear, $ 10- million contract.
The salary was reduced because of the shortened, 60- game regular season, but Treinen’s impact was substantial. He became one of manager Dave Roberts’ most trusted relievers.
Treinen had a 3.86 ERA and allowed one home run in 27 regular- season games. He compiled just 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings — his lowest figure since he broke into the major leagues — but his walk rate dropped to 2.8 per nine innings.
In 11 postseason outings, Treinen was charged with six runs on nine hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk in 111⁄ innings. He earned his
3 f irst career playoff save in the Dodgers’ 4- 2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the World Series.
The Treinen signing is the Dodgers’ fourth significant bullpen transaction this offseason.
The club acquired righthander Corey Knebel, a former All- Star closer, from the Milwaukee Brewers in November as another reclamation project after his bumpy return from Tommy John surgery in 2020.
Last week, the Dodgers traded for left- hander Garrett Cleavinger and signed right- hander Tommy Kahnle to a two- year deal with 2022 in mind; he underwent Tommy John surgery in August and won’t pitch in 2021.
Lasorda discharged
Tom Lasorda was discharged from a hospital in Orange County and is “resting comfortably” at his home, the Dodgers announced.
Lasorda, 93, was hospitalized and admitted to the intensive- care unit in early November for undisclosed, non-coronavirus reasons. The former Dodgers manager attended the team’s Game 6, title- sealing victory over Tampa Bay in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 27.