GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers seem to have commitment issues.
A year ago, they started the season planning to close games with various relievers, choosing the best matchup for the ninth inning rather than confining one reliever to the closer role. By the end of the year, though, Evan Phillips had taken over that job and finished the season with 24 saves in 27 chances.
But this spring, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hesitated to designate Phillips as the team’s closer.
“I definitely don’t think it’s going to be like it was last year,” Roberts said. “I think with Evan, what he did in that role – he did a very nice job. I wouldn’t say (closer by) committee. It’s a good conversation. I don’t think we need to have it right now.
“I do see Evan doing the brunt of the closing of games. But I still believe it’s prudent to kind of keep that door open where if there’s opportunities in the eighth inning where I think he’s the best option to help us win a baseball game to do that. So I’m going to have a conversation with him. But I think our bullpen is going to be a strength.”
It wasn’t at the start of last season.
Dodgers relievers had a 5.05 ERA through the first 23 games of the season. In mid-June, it was still 4.98 and only the woeful Oakland A’s had a higher bullpen ERA.
Things turned around from there and the Dodgers had one of the best bullpens in the majors over the final three months of the season – with Phillips serving in a more traditional closer role over most of that time.
“He certainly has. I think he has earned it,” Roberts said. “So then the question is – what’s best for the ballclub? That’s kind of an ongoing discussion. I think as far as once we got some things tightened up last year, our bullpen was one of the best in baseball. So I don’t think there’s one way to do it. But certainly if you’re looking at can he do it? Has he earned it? Does he deserve it? Absolutely.”
Phillips’ performance earned him a raise to a $4 million salary in his first season of arbitration eligibility. While he doesn’t give any hint of entitlement, Phillips said he does think he is going into this season as the Dodgers closer.
“I haven’t heard anything different,” he said. “My plan is always to pitch when my name is called, but I expect that to be in the ninth inning until I’m told differently.”
Roberts points out that even when Phillips was serving as the closer, there were times when he entered games before the ninth inning when situations called for it. Phillips is fine with going back to more of a ‘fireman’ role where he might enter games based on the highest leverage situations (and not just the inning) if it helps win games.
“I know this team and this organization has done everything for me,” said Phillips, who was released by the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays in a two-week span before blossoming with the Dodgers.
“I have no place to not listen and not hear them out at the very least. Especially with the trade targets you see on TV or hear on the radio or the free agents that have now signed. I’m all about us winning games. Whatever it takes for us to win the World Series, I’m all on board.”
There were enough rumors connecting the Dodgers to established closers this winter – specifically free agent Josh Hader (who signed with the Houston Astros) and Dodgers franchise saves leader Kenley Jansen (rumored to be on the trade block in Boston). Phillips could have taken that as an insult or a sign of a lack of confidence in him.
“The same as I handle every other day,” he said of absorbing those rumors. “My goal is to win as a team. If I’m going to have a piece in that, I’m not going to be selfish or stubborn about my place in it. I feel like if I do what I can do that will be what’s best for the team.”
OHTANI AWE
The Dodgers have not been hiding their admiration for two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani.
“Shohei probably has a chance to be the most talented player to ever play the game of baseball,” Roberts said.
Freddie Freeman called Ohtani “the best player in the world.”
“We’ve got probably the guy we’re going to be talking about to our great grandchildren,” the first baseman said. “Just like we talk about Babe Ruth, we’re going to talk about Shohei.”
Miguel Rojas gushed about the opportunity to play with Ohtani.
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“This is a talent that might come once a lifetime,” the shortstop said. “So this is a privilege for us, and especially for me as a player, to be in the same clubhouse as a player like him.
“I’m really happy I can call him my teammate, and having the opportunity to be on the same field with him for the first time, it’s a privilege. I’m not going to take it for granted. I’m gonna enjoy the opportunity of playing with him, and hopefully we can get to celebrate together at the end of the year.”
ALSO
During live batting practice Thursday, shortstop Gavin Lux hit a long home run off veteran reliever Daniel Hudson. Minor-league prospect Andy Pages also took part in live BP. The outfielder’s 2023 season ended after just 34 games when he had shoulder surgery.