The Dodgers are looking for another back-end reliever. But will they spend for one?

las vegas – Last season, the Dodgers made a big move looking to add an impact bullpen to their offseason.

After a massive blowout, though, they may now be deciding whether they’re comfortable doing it again.

The Dodgers don’t have a clear need this winter, but the back end of the bullpen is one area they will need to upgrade. Although this team has comfortable depth, it doesn’t have any clear cuts going into 2026.

Main reason why: Tanner Scott has struggled since signing a lucrative four-year, $72 million contract last winter.

Scott’s signing represents the second-largest contract, by guaranteed money, the Dodgers have ever given to a relief pitcher (just five years after the $80 million deal Kenley Johnson received in 2017). It was a high-risk, high-reward move that, at least in 1 year, quickly felt like a piece of cake.

Scott posted a 4.74 ERA in the regular season, converted just 23 of his 33 save opportunities, and did not play in the postseason (in part because of the impotence procedure he underwent in the National League Division Series).

The Dodgers’ other big reliever acquisition last winter, Kirby Yates, suffered a similar fate, posting a 5.23 ERA in a year before a $13-million deal before injuries knocked him out of postseason contention as well.

Scott will be back next year, and is one of several veteran relief arms the club hopes to develop. Still, for a team vying for a third straight World Series title, the added benefit of being a close closer.

Now the question is: Will they do it in another long-term deal? Or will last year’s failed signings make them even more reluctant to go down the same path again?

It may not take long to start finding out.

Already at this week’s general managers meetings at the Las Vegas Cosmopolitan, the Dodgers expressed interest in two-time All-Star Devin Williams, according to people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly.

The 31-year-old right-hander had a down year with the New York Yankees (4.79 ERA, despite 18 saves in 22 chances), but his fundamental metrics remain strong, and the Dodgers’ interest in him dates back to last season when he was the club’s trade target before finally landing in the Bronx.

With a mid-90s fastball and signature “airbender” changeup that made him one of the biggest strikeout threats in all of the majors during his seven-year career (in which he had a 2.45 ERA and over 14 strikeouts in nine innings), he’ll significantly improve their ninth-inning outlook.

But the Dodgers’ pursuit of him, which was first reported by The Athletic, may come with a tough decision.

Williams is expected to have several serious defenders this season. And, although some outlets suggested he only sign a one-year contract worth $20 million, others suggested he sign a three- or four-year contract.

By nature, the Dodgers usually prefer short-term deals, especially in an unstable role as relief pitching. If Williams receives long-term offers from other clubs, it’s unclear whether the Dodgers would be willing to match.

The team may face similar dynamics if it pursues other top relievers on the market, including three-time All-Star and top free agent closer Edwin Diaz (who also comes with the added complication of a qualifying offer that would cost them a draft pick).

They can once again weigh a high-risk, high-reward move.

And on Tuesday, general manager Brandon Gomez strongly avoided risking the fallout from last year’s failed signings.

“It’s one of those things where I don’t think it’s a ‘need,'” Gomez said of the team’s desire to acquire another light reliever. “But it could be a good one to have, depending on how it all plays out.”

There are other alternatives, of course.

Former Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks is a potential short-term target that some in the industry see as a perfect fit in Los Angeles, after posting 75 saves with a 2.98 ERA over the past three seasons.

Former Angels and Atlanta Braves right-hander Raizel Iglesias is potentially another after posting 96 saves over the past three years with a 2.62 ERA, thanks to a mid-90s fastball and swing-and-miss changeup that has kept him productive even at age 35.

There are other notable free agent relievers this winter, from former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez to the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets right-hander Ryan Helsley (who has also been linked to the Dodgers in trade rumors in the past).

The Dodgers could also explore the offseason trade market, or trade the Ducks with the current relief corps that still includes Scott (whose 2025 issues had more to do with execution than quality stuff), Alex Vescia (who has established himself as one of the best left-handed relievers in the sport) and Blake Trillian again, the team sees as a contender. (He battled injuries last season in the first season of a two-year, $22 million deal). They’ll also get Bresdar Gratroll and Evan Phillips back from injuries, with Gratroll on track to start 2026 after missing last year with a shoulder problem, and Phillips expected to return some time next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June.

For now, however, the team’s search depends on how the markets for Williams, Diaz and others develop — and whether it’s willing to take another big bullpen swing on a long-term deal.

“We have a lot of guys that are capable of closing and have done it in the past,” Gomez said, highlighting the team’s current returning bullpen arsenal. “But this is one of the areas where we will potentially add to the team.”

The Skins won the NL Cy Young Award, Yamamoto third in the voting

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will always be remembered for his historic performance in the Dodgers postseason this past October.

On Wednesday, his regular-season performance also received some well-deserved recognition.

While Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Paul Skeens won the National League Cy Young Award as expected, after leading the majors with a 1.97 ERA in his second MLB season, Yamamoto finished third for a campaign in which he went 12-8, posted a 2.49 ERA in 30 starts, and was the most hitter by the Dodgers this season.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Christopher Sanchez was another NL Cy Young finalist, finishing second. Skeens received all 30 first-place votes while Sanchez received all 30 second-place votes. Yamamoto collected 16 third-place votes.

Yamamoto’s finish came in third behind Julio Urias in 2022, the highest by a Dodgers pitcher.

It’s been a year in which the 27-year-old Japanese star made significant improvements from his first MLB slugging season (when he had a 3.00 ERA and was limited to 18 starts due to a shoulder injury) and helped the Dodgers to the World Series with a 1.45 ERA in six games, including a 3.13 strikeout on Oct. 3/3. Back-to-back complete games in the NL Championship Series and World Series, before appearing with back-to-back wins in Games 6 and 7 of the Fall Classic.