RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The $69 million Edwin Diaz experience hasn't paid off for the Los Angeles Dodgers . Diaz saw his ERA jump to 11.57 after yet another blown save Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers , prompting questions about whether the Dodgers need a new closer to meet their World Series expectations.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn't giving up yet, though. Roberts committed to Diaz closing after Thursday's loss, explaining he's trying to keep his right-handed reliever in the position he feels most comfortable.
"It's just not that easy when a guy's done it for seven, eight years, whatever it is, to change routines," Roberts said, per ESPN . "Part of my job is to give him the best opportunity to prepare and have success, and then it goes to the player to kind of go out there and do their job."
The doing his job part is where Diaz has struggled. Diaz missed three months due to midseason elbow surgery and has been ineffective when healthy, with a 2.49 WHIP and -1.2 WAR across 11.2 innings pitched. It's the three-time All-Star's worst season since his 2019 campaign with the New York Mets , when he went 2-7 with a 5.59 ERA.
So, the Dodgers are sticking with Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal in December. For now. If they eventually decide to make a change, here's who they could turn to.
4 Dodgers closer options
RHP Edgardo Henriquez
A 24-year-old out of Venezuela, the flame-throwing Henriquez has a 2.98 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 48.1 innings pitched this season. He's got a nasty four-seam fastball with an average velocity of 100.2 mph. He's got all the physical tools but it's probably too early to entrust him with a full-time closer role.
RHP Evan Phillips
This is one isn't all that likely as Phillips has a 5.73 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 11 innings pitched. The 31-year-old was one of the Dodgers' most trusted relievers back in 2022 and 2023, so perhaps he could turn back the clock with a new role.
LHP Tanner Scott
Scott has easily been the Dodgers' most effective reliever this season, plus we know he can thrive as a closer as he tallied 16 saves while Diaz was on the injured list. The 31-year-old lefty has an absolutely lethal slider, resulting in elite chase percentage (40.1%), whiff percentage (36.4%) and strikeout percentage (32.6%). Los Angeles seems to be intent in using him other high-leverage situations, however.
LHP Alex Vesia
While Vesia's average fastball velo is only 92 mph, he makes up for it with incredible vertical break. The 30-year-old has three saves, 17 holds and a 2.79 ERA across 42 innings pitched this season. He also has the fiery demeanor you'd expect out of a closer. This may be L.A.'s best option if it truly doesn't want Scott as the full-time closer.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 4 Dodgers closer options amid Edwin Diaz's nightmare season
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