Fresh off back-to-back World Series titles, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear positioned as well as any franchise in baseball. Yet with nearly $100 million coming off the books entering 2026, their offseason approach is not one of victory laps—it’s one of recalibration. The front office is expected to act aggressively, particularly as it assesses a bullpen that strained under pressure throughout 2025.
A Clear Priority: Find a Closer
Los Angeles entered October without Tanner Scott, and even during the regular season his hold on the ninth inning was precarious. Scott recorded 23 saves but carried a 4.74 ERA and a league-leading 10 blown saves. His absence in the postseason underscored a reality already forming: the Dodgers were going to hunt for a long-term answer at closer regardless of injury.
That search has drawn them toward a familiar type of acquisition—an elite reliever who doesn’t necessarily command the same spotlight as the marquee names. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers’ spending power won’t automatically be directed toward the highest-profile options available.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers, with $87 million coming off the books, will keep folks honest in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, but probably won’t be the high bidders – instead wanting to focus on shoring up their bullpen,” Nightengale wrote. “They could pursue Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams, but rival executives expect them to instead turn to former Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, who has 75 saves with a 2.98 ERA the past three seasons.”
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Fairbanks Gains Quiet Momentum
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Fairbanks, 31, has built a reputation as one of baseball’s most reliable late-inning arms despite never earning an All-Star nod. In 2025, he posted a 2.83 ERA with a career-high 27 saves and a strong 59/18 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Teams around the league recognize his value; the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly monitored him as well.
His unique condition—Raynaud’s Syndrome, which affects grip strength in cold environments—has prompted speculation that a return to the West Coast could be ideal.
Front Office Calculus
Even with financial flexibility, GM Brandon Gomes is reportedly cautious about splurging on another high-priced reliever after mixed results with recent investments in Scott and Blake Treinen. The Dodgers relied heavily on Roki Sasaki in high-leverage situations late in 2025, but expecting the 22-year-old to close full-time is unrealistic.
That makes Fairbanks a compelling middle path: not inexpensive, not flashy, but dependable—an arm capable of anchoring the ninth without consuming the payroll capacity needed to strengthen other areas.
The Dodgers have stars everywhere. What they need now is certainty at the end of games, and Fairbanks may be the name they trust most to provide it.