The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed nearly every major free agent this offseason, and yet another spending spree is forcing some of their 2024 players off the roster.
One of the players who may be a victim of LA's roster crunch is former Boston Red Sox reliever Ryan Brasier. The Dodgers have fielded trade interest in the veteran in hopes of opening a spot on their 40-man roster for one of their many additions.
Brasier, 37, pitched five-plus seasons with Boston before he was designated for assignment in May 2023. The righty pitched to a 3.85 ERA with 281 strikeouts and 84 walks over 297 games in his Boston career. He cleared waivers and signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers a month after his release.
Brasier's tenure in Los Angeles began about as well as it could've. After he clocked a 7.29 ERA with the Red Sox before he was DFA'd in 2023, he posted a 0.70 ERA with 38 strikeouts in his first 38.2 innings with the Dodgers.
Dodgers pursuing a trade for former Red Sox pitcher Ryan Brasier
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who need to clear space on their 40-man roster for their new and pending additions, are shopping some of their surplus to teams, including veteran Ryan Brasier, who is owed $4.5 million this year.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 22, 2025
Brasier didn't stay as hot as he was in 2023, but he still posted a solid 2024 season en route to becoming a World Series champion. He pitched to a 3.54 ERA with 25 strikeouts and five walks over 28 innings, a rather short season due to a stint on the 60-day injured list with a calf strain.
The veteran would be a sound addition to any bullpen in need of right-handed help, but other teams around the league may not be itching to help the Dodgers at the moment. If LA can't find a suitor for Brasier, it may be forced to designate him for assignment and not cash in on a potential return for the righty, but his 2024 season was likely good enough to entice another club into a deal.