The Los Angeles Dodgers this winter have bolstered their already dangerous bullpen with new talent, including a few Boston Red Sox free agent targets.
LA added Tanner Scott and, most recently, Kirby Yates to its packed roster. The Dodgers designated former Red Sox pitcher Ryan Brasier for assignment to accommodate Yates, first reported by MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided. Los Angeles initially hoped to find a trade partner for Brasier, but couldn't get another team to bite.
Brasier is an interesting sacrifice to open a roster spot for Yates, given some of the other players on the Dodgers' 40-man. For example, Michael Grove had a rough season with a 5.12 ERA over 51 frames and he's never posted lower than a 4.60 ERA with 149.1 innings over three seasons in the big leagues.
Brasier clocked a 3.54 ERA with 25 strikeouts and five walks over 28 innings during the 2024 season. The righty signed a minor league pact with the Dodgers after he was released by the Red Sox during the 2023 campaign when he pitched to a 7.29 ERA in 21 innings. The change of scenery served Brasier well, and he logged a 0.70 ERA over 38.2 innings with Los Angeles to finish his season strong.
Dodgers designate former Red Sox reliever Ryan Brasier for assignment, fueling reunion rumors with Boston
Sources: The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated reliever Ryan Brasier for assignment.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 31, 2025
Not only did Boston lose out on Scott and Yates to the Dodgers, but Tommy Kahnle and Carlos Estévez, both Red Sox targets, signed with the Tigers and Royals, respectively. David Robertson is one of the best relievers remaining on the market, Boston hasn't been conclusively linked to the veteran.
If the Sox don't eventually sign Robertson, Brasier could become the next-best option for Boston's bullpen, despite his rocky history there. The Red Sox's offseason never should've come to this — given how little money they've spent on free agents, they could've signed any of the elite options on the market with no issue.