For many years under former manager Don Mattingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen was its biggest weakness, as the group struggled to protect leads or keep games close. However, that all changed last season under first-year manager Dave Roberts.
The Dodgers’ bullpen not only logged the most innings pitched in the Majors, but they also owned the lowest ERA in baseball. Having ranked the top-10 players at each position, ESPN’s Buster Olney recently turned his attention to bullpens, and ranked the Dodgers’ group of relievers as fifth-best overall.
Kenley Jansen, the backbone of the bullpen, is returning as he re-signed with the club on a five-year deal.