Blake Treinen Returns to the Dodgers with a Two-Year Deal
Blake Treinen Returns to the Dodgers with a Two-Year Deal
As the offseason stirs with movement, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made a decisive re-signing by bringing back right-handed relief pitcher Blake Treinen. The seasoned bullpen stalwart has agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract, anchoring his immediate future with the Dodgers and confirming his presence for the upcoming MLB seasons. This announcement was made on a Tuesday, signaling the Dodgers' commitment to solidifying their bullpen with a familiar and reliable presence.
Treinen, entering his 36-year-old season, brings a resume that speaks volumes of his capability on the mound. Despite the encroaching years on his playing clock, Treinen's recent performance paints a compelling picture of efficiency and adaptability. During the 2024 MLB season, he showcased a 1.93 ERA across 46 ⅔ innings, maintaining his reputation as a formidable force in the bullpen. With 56 strikeouts against a mere 11 unintentional walks, his precision and command continue to hold strong.
A Career Defined by Peaks and Resilience
Blake Treinen's journey through Major League Baseball has been marked by high points and resilience in the face of adversities. A significant highlight of his career came in 2018 with the Oakland Athletics, where he secured 38 saves and finished sixth in the American League Cy Young Award balloting—an impressive feat for any reliever. His exceptional performance that year established him as one of the top relief pitchers in the game.
His tenure with the Dodgers, spanning five years, has also been decorated with notable achievements. In 2021, Treinen recorded a 1.99 ERA, boasting a 3.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio, further cementing his status as a dependable relief option. Despite a period marred by injuries—including shoulder surgery that sidelined him for most of 2022-23—Treinen has demonstrated admirable determination to bounce back and deliver high-caliber performances.
Recovery and a New Season's Promise
The path to recovery was not devoid of challenges for Treinen. During spring training, he faced a mishap resulting in fractured ribs and a bruised lung, yet he managed to emerge with the grit anticipated of seasoned athletes. Now, as he looks ahead to what his 36-year-old season could unfold, there are tempered expectations. As analysis has noted, "Coming into the year, it was reasonable to think that Treinen wouldn't be as effective this season as he was in 2021." Nonetheless, his recent stats and enduring qualities counterbalance these expectations with optimism.
Treinen's career metrics narrate a story of productivity and clutch performances. An ERA+ of 149 and 80 saves across 549 ⅔ innings reflect not just his talent, but his significant contribution to team efforts, particularly with playoff contenders like the Dodgers. Ranked as the No. 22 available free agent earlier in the offseason, his return to Los Angeles reaffirms his value in the highly competitive market.
The Dodgers' Strategic Move
For the Dodgers, re-signing Treinen is a calculated decision to fortify their bullpen, an element that is often pivotal in the rigors of a long MLB season. Given their ambitions and pedigree, having a seasoned campaigner like Treinen in their ranks grants them a strategic edge and a repository of experience to draw upon in critical game situations.
This contract extension not only supplies the Dodgers with dependable relief depth but also provides Treinen an arena to continue honing his craft and contribute at the highest levels. As the Dodgers prepare for yet another campaign, Treinen stands ready to deliver precision pitches and pressure performances that fans and teammates alike have come to expect and appreciate.
In all, the Dodgers and Treinen recommence a partnership that promises both stout innings and potential landmarks in an already storied career. With the upcoming season's narratives yet to be entirely written, the re-signing of Treinen serves as a reassuring constant in the ever-volatile trading winds of professional baseball.
