The addition of Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott forces the Dodgers to make a bullpen sacrifice.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been one of the most successful and financially powerful franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB). Their relentless pursuit of talent, both domestically and internationally, has allowed them to build a team that competes for championships year after year. One of the most critical areas of success for any MLB team is the bullpen, and the Dodgers have recently made significant moves to bolster their relief pitching by adding Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott—two proven arms with the potential to solidify an already formidable bullpen. However, with these new acquisitions comes a difficult challenge: who do the Dodgers sacrifice to make room for the newcomers?

As the Dodgers prepare for the 2025 MLB season, their bullpen depth has become a point of both excitement and concern. With the addition of Yates and Scott, both highly regarded relievers with the ability to be game-changers, the Dodgers find themselves in a position where they need to manage the rotation of their bullpen arms. While the upgrades undoubtedly strengthen the team’s overall pitching staff, the depth of the bullpen means that some players will inevitably be sacrificed, either through trades, releases, or demotions.

This article delves into how the additions of Yates and Scott could impact the Dodgers’ bullpen construction, the players who may be in danger of losing their spots, and what this means for the team’s overall strategy as they aim for another World Series title.

Kirby Yates: A Proven Closer with a Rich History of Success

Before diving into the impact of these acquisitions, it is important to understand the individual contributions of Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott. Starting with Yates, the 36-year-old right-handed pitcher is a seasoned veteran who has spent time with the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, and other organizations. Known for his electric fastball and dominant slider, Yates enjoyed some of his most successful seasons with the Padres, where he served as their closer from 2018 to 2020.

In 2019, Yates earned his first All-Star selection, posting an incredible 1.19 ERA, 41 saves, and a 0.89 WHIP. His ability to get strikeouts and lock down games in high-leverage situations has made him one of the more reliable closers in baseball over the past few seasons. While injuries have sidelined him in recent years, Yates’ history of dominance, particularly in tight spots, makes him a valuable addition to any bullpen. The Dodgers are betting on his ability to return to form and provide high-quality innings in the later stages of games, whether as a setup man or a closer.

Adding Yates to the Dodgers’ bullpen brings a level of veteran presence and reliability, which will be invaluable down the stretch. Given the Dodgers’ penchant for bullpen-by-committee strategies, Yates could become a key piece in the late innings, especially in high-pressure situations.

Tanner Scott: A Lefty with Elite Stuff

On the other hand, Tanner Scott offers something different to the Dodgers: a left-handed pitcher with elite strikeout ability. The 29-year-old has spent the majority of his career with the Baltimore Orioles, where he has developed into a reliable bullpen arm, often coming in to face left-handed hitters. Known for his blazing fastball and a slider that keeps batters off balance, Scott has posted some impressive strikeout numbers over his career. In 2023, he struck out 94 batters in 62 innings, and while his control has sometimes been an issue, his swing-and-miss stuff makes him a valuable asset in high-leverage situations.

Scott’s arrival adds a much-needed left-handed presence to a Dodgers bullpen that has sometimes struggled with lefty-righty matchups. His ability to come in for one or two innings and neutralize opposing batters, particularly in tight, late-game situations, gives the Dodgers a much-needed weapon. Scott could be used in high-leverage moments to get key outs against left-handed hitters or be deployed as a multi-inning reliever when needed.

However, the inclusion of both Yates and Scott forces the Dodgers to re-evaluate their bullpen composition, particularly in terms of roster spots. With both of these players expected to play significant roles, the team may need to make sacrifices in other areas of the bullpen to balance out the roster.

The Dodgers’ Bullpen Depth: A Competitive Battle

The Dodgers’ bullpen entering the 2025 season is already filled with a combination of veteran arms and young talent, which makes for a deep and competitive situation. With players like Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, and Caleb Ferguson already in the mix, the team has no shortage of capable arms. However, the addition of Yates and Scott forces the Dodgers to make tough decisions about who stays and who goes.

The main question is: who will be the odd men out?

Evan Phillips: An Emerging Star

Evan Phillips has quickly emerged as one of the most reliable arms in the Dodgers’ bullpen. Known for his exceptional control, Phillips became a key figure in the late innings, often getting the ball in high-leverage situations. His ability to pitch efficiently and consistently has earned him a spot as one of the team’s most trusted relievers. However, with Yates and Scott coming on board, there is the potential for Phillips to see less work if the team opts to rely on the veteran presence of Yates or the left-handed dominance of Scott in specific matchups.

While it seems unlikely that Phillips would be removed from the roster entirely, he may face competition for key innings, and his usage may be dictated by matchups. This could result in less high-leverage time for him, even though he remains a valuable piece of the bullpen.

Blake Treinen: The Veteran Who Might Not Fit Anymore

Blake Treinen has been a staple in the Dodgers’ bullpen for several seasons, known for his devastating sinker and ability to induce ground balls. However, Treinen has struggled with injuries in recent years, limiting his effectiveness. The addition of Yates and Scott gives the Dodgers the option to move on from Treinen if they feel his health or performance isn’t up to par.

Treinen still has value, but with a crowded bullpen and a need for more reliable, healthy arms, the Dodgers may look to move him if his performance doesn’t improve. A trade or even a potential release could be on the table if other pitchers surpass him on the depth chart.

Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson: The Lefty Depth

Both Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson have carved out roles as left-handed options out of the bullpen, with Vesia in particular becoming a reliable arm against left-handed batters. However, with Tanner Scott now in the fold, the team’s left-handed relief depth is more than adequate. Depending on how the coaching staff wants to utilize their left-handed pitchers, one of these two might see their role diminished.

If Vesia and Ferguson’s performance doesn’t meet expectations in spring training or early in the season, the Dodgers could look to send them down to the minors or explore trade options to free up space for other pitchers. Though both have proven their worth in the past, competition is fierce in a bullpen as deep as the Dodgers’, and sacrifices will need to be made.

The Final Verdict: Who Stays and Who Goes?

Ultimately, the additions of Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott force the Dodgers to make difficult decisions about their bullpen composition. Several relievers will have to battle for their spots on the roster, and some may find themselves sent down to the minors, traded, or even released.

It’s likely that Yates will be given a prominent role as a late-inning arm, possibly splitting closing duties or serving as a setup man. Scott will provide the Dodgers with much-needed left-handed depth, and his ability to neutralize lefty hitters will make him an invaluable weapon in crucial games. Meanwhile, other arms such as Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, and Caleb Ferguson will need to continue to prove their worth if they want to remain part of the Dodgers’ bullpen mix.

The Dodgers’ bullpen is one of the deepest in baseball, but with the addition of Yates and Scott, the competition for roster spots will only intensify. The team’s commitment to a strong bullpen is clear, and these changes may very well be the difference-maker in their quest for another World Series title. For the players involved, the pressure is on to prove they deserve to be part of this elite group of arms, with only the most consistent and effective performers securing their place in the Dodgers’ bullpen for the 2025 season.