Dodgers' $148 Million Bullpen Gamble Backfires: Why LA's Relief Corps Ranks Dead Last Despite Massive Investment

The $107 Million Investment That Didn't Pay Off

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations for their revamped bullpen after investing a staggering $107 million in three elite relievers. The crown jewel of this spending spree was left-handed closer Tanner Scott, who signed a four-year, $72 million contract—the largest reliever deal of the offseason. Alongside Scott, the Dodgers brought back Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million deal and added veteran Kirby Yates for one year at $13 million.

These moves were supposed to create what MLB analysts called an "incredible" bullpen with "swing-and-miss stuff". Kevin Frandsen of MLB Network Radio proclaimed that the Dodgers would have "nothing but power arms in the back end of their bullpen". The expectations were justified—Scott was coming off an All-Star season with a 1.75 ERA, Treinen had been dominant in the Dodgers' 2024 World Series run, and Yates posted a brilliant 1.17 ERA with Texas.

However, reality has been far different from these lofty projections. As of July 2025, the Dodgers' bullpen ranks a disappointing 24th in MLB with a 4.35 ERA, making their massive investment look like one of the worst allocation of resources in recent memory.

Tanner Scott's Shocking Decline from All-Star to Liability

Perhaps no individual performance has been more disappointing than Tanner Scott's dramatic fall from grace. The left-hander who was described by manager Dave Roberts as "an assassin" during spring training has instead become the team's biggest bullpen liability. Scott's struggles reached a crescendo during a disastrous stretch where he posted a 15.00 ERA over seven appearances, surrendering 13 hits and 10 earned runs.

The numbers tell a sobering story of decline. After posting a career-best 1.75 ERA in 2024 that earned him his first All-Star selection, Scott's ERA has ballooned to 4.55 as of early July. Even more concerning is his performance in high-leverage situations—Scott leads all MLB relievers with seven blown saves and has allowed eight home runs, tied for fifth-most among bullpen arms. His location problems have become glaringly obvious, with Scott himself admitting, "Missed locations—especially down in the zone—against hitters that I'm supposed to be in different spots. I'm just not hitting my locations, and it's costing us".

The psychological impact on the team has been equally damaging. What was supposed to be a shutdown closer has instead become a source of anxiety for both players and fans, with Scott's outings frequently resulting in blown leads and costly losses.

Injury Woes Compound the Bullpen Crisis

As if performance issues weren't enough, injuries have devastated the Dodgers' relief corps throughout the 2025 season. Blake Treinen, who was expected to be a key setup man, suffered a right forearm sprain in April and was eventually transferred to the 60-day injured list. The injury has kept Treinen sidelined for months, with no clear timetable for his return despite initial optimism that it was a "low-grade sprain".

The injury bug has spread throughout the bullpen. Evan Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery and is out for the entire season, while Brusdar Graterol continues his recovery from shoulder surgery. Michael Kopech, another key piece, isn't expected to return until late August following knee surgery. These absences have forced the Dodgers to rely heavily on inexperienced or underperforming relievers to fill crucial innings.

The cumulative effect of these injuries cannot be overstated. What was supposed to be a deep, talented bullpen has been reduced to a handful of reliable arms, putting enormous pressure on the remaining healthy pitchers and contributing to the overall struggles of the relief corps.

Community and Fan Reactions: From Optimism to Frustration

The transformation of fan sentiment regarding the Dodgers' bullpen has been swift and brutal. Early in the season, Reddit communities were celebrating what they called a "disgusting bullpen" in the best possible way, with fans expressing excitement about having "nothing but power arms". The optimism was palpable, with many believing the team had assembled one of the best bullpens in recent MLB history.

However, as the season progressed and the struggles mounted, the tone shifted dramatically. Dodgers fans on various platforms have expressed frustration with the underperformance of their expensive acquisitions. The community reaction has been particularly harsh toward Tanner Scott, with many questioning whether his massive contract will become an albatross for the organization.

The cultural context is important for international fans to understand—Dodgers supporters had grown accustomed to the front office's analytical approach typically paying dividends. The failure of such a well-researched and expensive bullpen investment has shaken confidence in the organization's decision-making process, leading to debates about whether the team should have pursued different strategies in free agency.

Statistical Reality: How Bad Has It Really Been?

The numbers paint a stark picture of the Dodgers' bullpen struggles in 2025. With a 4.35 ERA ranking 24th in MLB, the relief corps has been a significant drag on what should have been a championship-caliber team. The team's bullpen has allowed 58 home runs and walked 150 batters over the course of the season, contributing to a 1.34 WHIP that ranks among the worst in the National League.

Perhaps most telling is the comparison to other teams' bullpens. While elite units like San Diego (3.15 ERA) and San Francisco (3.20 ERA) have provided consistent late-game stability, the Dodgers have struggled to maintain leads. The 24th ranking represents a dramatic fall from the team's 2024 bullpen performance, which was instrumental in their World Series championship run.

Individual statistics further highlight the problems. Beyond Scott's struggles, Kirby Yates has posted a 3.86 ERA with multiple blown saves, while the supporting cast has been inconsistent at best. The collective failure has forced manager Dave Roberts to frequently shuffle his bullpen roles, creating instability that has affected the entire pitching staff's confidence and performance.

Trade Deadline Desperation: Seeking Solutions Before It's Too Late

The mounting pressure has forced Dodgers management to abandon their preferred strategy of building through the offseason rather than making costly midseason trades. President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman had stated his goal was to "not buy in July," calling it "terrible," but the bullpen's failures have left the organization with little choice.

According to reports from The Athletic, the Dodgers are "expected to pursue bullpen help" as the trade deadline approaches. This represents a significant shift in philosophy for an organization that typically avoids expensive rental players. The urgency is driven not just by current struggles, but by the recognition that their championship window could be closing if they can't stabilize their late-game pitching.

The challenge facing the front office is finding quality relievers available on the trade market while not depleting their farm system. With several key prospects already traded in recent years, the Dodgers may need to be creative in their approach or accept that they'll need to overpay for the help they desperately need. The pressure is immense—failing to address the bullpen issues could derail what many considered a sure-fire championship season, making the $107 million investment an even more glaring mistake in franchise history.