It’s definitely not what Dodger fans want to hear, but the cold hard truth is that the Dodgers 2015 bullpen might bear a very strong resemblance to the one that brought an abrupt end to the Dodgers 2014 postseason.

Dodgers newly appointed President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman is about to discover that the market for available top-tier free agent relievers is going to be a very small one. Oh sure, anything is possible in the way of trades, especially with the Dodgers having an abundance of All-Star-caliber outfielders at their disposal, not to mention several more down on the farm, but when it comes to top-of-the-line free agent relievers, it’s pretty much 30-year-old Andrew Miller (who drafted out one ahead of Clayton Kershaw in 2006), 30-year-old  Luke Gregerson, 32-year-old Francisco Rodriguez, 34-year-old Pat Neshek and soon-to-be 40-year-old Jamey Wright. (Do you see a pattern here?).

Left-hander Andrew Miller will undoubtedly be the most sought-after free agent reliever this winter – and the most expensive. (Photo credit – Joy R. Absalon)

In all probability, Andrew Miller will be seeking (and will probably get) a lofty three-year contract, as will Gregerson. Other than that, most of the free agent reliever market is… well… rather old.

During his introductory press conference on October 17, Andrew Friedman was rather adamant about wanting to develop a “robust” farm system, which is great for down the road. But what about the here and now? What about the 2015 Dodgers bullpen?

Because of his guaranteed $8.5 million player option for 2015 (which he has already exercised) the Dodgers are stuck with Brian Wilson and Brandon League is signed through 2015 at $7.5 million with a guaranteed vesting player option for 2016 that could be worth as much as $9 million (what was Ned thinking?). Situational lefty J.P. Howell is signed through 2015 with a $4 million club option for 2016 – this in spite of his late-season and postseason struggles. The Dodgers will also undoubtedly give closer Kenley Jansen a hefty raise this winter if they hope to avoid an arbitration hearing. That right there takes up four of the (probable) seven available 2015 bullpen spots.

What all of this means is that if Friedman truly wants to build a younger bullpen from within, he will have to do it with the likes of Pedro Baez, Scott Elbert, Paco Rodriguez, Onelki Garcia, Yimi Garcia, Dan Coulombe, Jose Dominguez, Jarret Martin, Chris Reed, Michael Thomas and a dozen or more other guys currently in the Dodgers farm system or guys that they still have team control over.

Although the Dodgers are still hopeful that 2011 first round draft pick Chris Reed will make it to the big leagues as a starter, he may very well end up being the reliever that they so desperately need.
(Photo credit – Tim Evearitt)

Realistically, this list of Dodger farm hands is a great one even though most of these guys have little or no MLB experience. But then again, how are they ever going to get it unless given a chance? Look what Brandon Finnegan did for the Royals this past season and postseason, having been drafted this past June.

Needless to say, Friedman will have his work cut out for him in rebuilding the 2015 Dodgers bullpen which, quite frankly, might not look all that much different than it did in 2014.

Stay tuned…

Available 2015 Free Agent Relievers (* denotes an option for 2015)

David Aardsma
Mike Adams *
Matt Albers *
Burke Badenhop
Ronald Belisario
Matt Belisle
Heath Bell
Craig Breslow *
Sean Burnett *
Jared Burton *
Tim Byrdak
Joba Chamberlain
Phil Coke
Manny Corpas
Jesse Crain
Scott Downs *
Kyle Farnsworth
Jason Frasor
Kyuji Fujikawa *
Tom Gorzelanny
Luke Gregerson
Jason Grilli
LaTroy Hawkins *
Luke Hochevar
Casey Janssen
Jim Johnson
Matt Lindstrom
Brandon Lyon
Carlos Marmol
Dustin McGowan *
Jose Mijares
Andrew Miller
Franklin Morales
Jason Motte
Peter Moylan
Pat Neshek
Darren O’Day *
Juan Carlos Oviedo
Vicente Padilla
Chris Perez
J.J. Putz
David Robertson
Francisco Rodriguez
Sergio Romo
Joakim Soria *
Rafael Soriano *
Huston Street *
Joe Thatcher
Koji Uehara
Jose Veras *
Jamey Wright

(Source – BaseballProspectus.com)