The Dodgers lost out to the Yankees in the Gerrit Cole derby on Tuesday, when the ace chose New York’s offer over Los Angeles’ proposal. Now, the Dodgers are among the teams with their sights set on one of the Yankees’ longtime contributors, reliever Dellin Betances. They have “real interest” in the four-time All-Star right-hander, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times first reported the Dodgers were after Betances, but that was before they agreed to sign fellow righty reliever Blake Treinen to a one-year, $10MM guarantee Wednesday.
If you’re a Dodgers fan, the excitement of a Betances pursuit obviously falls well shy of a Cole signing. But that’s not a knock on the soon-to-be 32-year-old Betances, one of the most successful late-game hurlers in recent memory. Betances came into his own in 2014 and has since posted a tremendous 2.21 ERA/2.25 FIP with 14.66 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 48.1 percent groundball rate. That type of production would be welcome anywhere, especially on an LA team whose bullpen had its share of issues in 2019.
During a half-decade run from 2014-18, no major league reliever amassed more innings than Betances’ 373 1/3. While durability has been one of the hallmarks of the hard-throwing Betances’ career, the 2019 season was a different story. Injuries to his shoulder and lat largely deprived Betances of the chance to put up an impressive platform campaign and further boost his stock heading to the market. Betances didn’t pitch until Sept. 15, and his season came to an abrupt end that day after he faced just two batters (both of whom he retired). He suffered a freak partial tear to his left Achilles while hopping off the mound in Toronto.
In the wake of his latest injury, it’s anyone’s guess whether Betances will return to form next season. However, with MLBTR projecting a one-year, $7MM payday, Betances would be an intriguing buy-low pickup for the Dodgers, who are already set to take a chance on a Treinen bounce-back effort.
Twins
I dunno seems like the twins are content sitting back and waiting for a deal again this year so I don’t see them getting him if any more aggressive suitors are in on him
This offseason, owners are dishing out many contracts that will be regretted soon. The Twins won’t be outbidding any of this madness. And they don’t need to because the central will be so bad. Even without additions a division crown is for the Twins to lose.
Not getting eliminated by the Yankees for once is reason enough to try to improve.
Sounds like a one way ticket out of the first round. Again
the Indians also said the AL central was going to be easy to win so they didn’t need to spend money last year and it didn’t work out for them
Lucid and thought provoking stuff.
Honestly every “contender” should be interested. He will be a beast.
I don’t see how the Mets aren’t in on him. They severely need bullpen help, and it could potentially be a low-risk, high-reward scenario. I don’t know how you throw $10 million at Rick Porcello and not Betances.
They are in on him.
Where’d you read that? I saw something this morning that said they were ‘pushing hard’ for him and then a different thing a few hours later that said they’re ‘unlikely’ to get him.
got him now…
If the world was fair, Oakland would swoop in as retaliation for Treinen haa
Oakland swoops in like a sexual predator
In retaliation to what? They chose to non-tender Treinen.
Uh, I believe Oakland non-tendered Treinen.
Oakland could of had treinen for 2 million dollars less and flipped him for a decent prospect.
As much as I love LA, this seems pretty par for the course. Each offseason seems basically like a carbon copy of every other for this team.
Look at those mountains. Look at those trees.
Look at that bum over there, he’s down on his knees
Armando Crishone….. Crishone…
SSDD, freaking Friedman and his injured pitcher routine and underbidding, saying, “we tried…” BS
Better than actually signing them… Like the Padres!
Padres will be trying to get out of 3 year contract next year just like Myers contract. Padres sign bad contract Myers,Hosmer, and Kennedy. Probably more they sign long contracts and then want someone else to take the contract over.
Freidman is an excellent leader of a small to mid-sized team. With so many years at the Ray’s he dosent seem to have the stomach for the big deal.
They print money and have the best prospect pool in baseball.
They need more pitching and star power.
The could trade Lux May, Ruiz
and Gonsolin for Kluber and Lindor while getting prospects back by trading Seager.
Would be a GREAT move I hope it happens
Go Phillies…
I’m not a huge fan of what they’ve done so far. I mean, I like Didi especially on a 1 year deal but we don’t know what he will be anymore. And then Zack wheeler for 118 million? Idk…
The Phillies are under the payroll tax and that’s all that matters.
Philly media has them with $6 million left to spend for 2020.
What, no “felony fraud “ rants, lol.
not yet!
Colome (White Sox) would costs less similar upside.
Betances, when healthy, is one of the top 3 relievers in baseball. Colomé is good, but their upside is not similar. Colomé will also likely cost in excess of 10m this year and they’d have to trade something for him.
Not sure how much betances will command after an injury riddled season, but i’d rather have betances.
I’m not saying you’re wrong for wanting colomé, though, just prefer betances.
Colome has been better than he should be based on data.
Heard the Braves are “checking in”…
He was great as a Yankee, I would hope to see him come back but any team would be lucky to sign him.
Yeah, why look for Hader and lose valuable prospects when we can take a one year flyer on him?
Hader is younger, cheaper, under team control until 2024, and not coming off an injury stricken season
Hader’s overworked or abused last 3 years and Brewers want a ton for the net 5 years.
Freidman is an excellent leader of a small to mid-sized team. With so many years at the Ray’s he dosent seem to have the stomach for the big deal.
They print money and have the best prospect pool in baseball.
They need more pitching and star power.
The could trade Lux May, Ruiz
and Gonsolin for Kluber and Lindor while getting prospects back by trading Seager.
I’m a Mets fan and we are within $2m of the tax. With a big time owner coming in next year, I dont want to go over the tax.
. Oakland will take Lowrie if we eat a large portion of his $11.5m, $10of which counts toward the tax.
I happily dump him and go harder then anyone else after Hader. Milwalkee is bereft of prospects and need to at least re-tool.
. My offer would be Smith, Gimenez, Josh Wolf (2019 2nd round pick) and Newton.
Gives them a major league 1b, 2 top 100 prospects and a high upside inf.
Mets new owner doesn’t take over to 2025 i believe it was in news.
Finally a pitcher that can contribute and be affective in late innings.
*effective
Was hoping the Giants would be in on him, give him an opportunity to rebuild some value and have a chance to close. Curious to see what he ends up with contract wise. 1/7 2/14 ish
Dodgers offered 1 year 10 million with bonuses.
Something tells me every time the Dodgers are “interested,” it’s an agent jacking up the cost. Friedman is certainly okay with the leaks because it makes it seem like he’s doing his due diligence. Even though he does not want to pay for big name Free Agents….
Idk, I’m still upset that we didn’t sign one of Cole, Strasburg or Rendon.
Hey when your team had been a loser for the last 30yrs!!!
Any chance the Dodgers could sign Betances and trade Joe Kelly back to Boston in a deal featuring Kelly, Price, and their respective contracts?
I think Price still commands a lot more money than what Kelly is owed. Also, with recent Price injuries I think the Dodgers should stay away.
Uh, Price’s value over the next three years is projected at $42 million and he’s owed $96 Million. If GMs are working off JAWs that’s $50 million the Red Sox’s would have to eat or package with a player of that value above contract. Benitendi comes to mind.
Mets here. I would take Price and go over this year if they take back Cespedes and Lowrie ($39.5/$19./) if Ces is still on the shelf with insurance if I can get back Devers.
Will include Ginenez to cover an infield spot and take on the $50m in salary
Cespedes reworked contract for remainder number not listed yet but probably about 5 million for next 10 years.
We got him now!
Someone needs to give him a 1 year deal so he can prove himself if he is worthy of getting a multi year deal next offseason which he would if he can pitch like he did when he was at his best with the Yankees.
la Dodgers are trying, don’t know what the hold up is unless it physical.
I’ll take him
I’ll take the wizard
1 year 10 million Just like the other relief pitcher
He’s got very good stuff. BUT beware a walk is a triple.
In MLB the show stealing is so easy on him. Guess it translated to the real world too.
Its true in real life too. His delivery style makes it frustratingly easier to steal off him and he rarely tries to check runners
Have you SEEN Kenley Jansen?
Sheesh. No other bullpen arm is as established as The Padres’ Drew Pomeranz! He’ll own the NL West and make Dodger fans cry and gnash their teeth because they don’t have Drew!
[AJ Preller-directed SARCASM] PadresTwitter
Betances is a Brooklyn kid. Perfect fit for the Dodgers, You bum.
He’s actually from Harlem
Grand Street Campus HS Brooklyn, NY?
We have subways so you can actually live in one borough and go to school in another
He’s from Manhattan somewhere and went to school in Brooklyn. I played against his high school in Brooklyn lol
Thanks for the NY geography lesson!
@nwf32389
@Rickey O’Sunnyvale
He was born in Washington Hts which is part of Manhattan and spent his teen years living in the Lower East Side which is also Manhattan. Never lived in the Bronx nor Brooklyn.
I hope the Yanks can bring him back.
In other words, the AL team owner Arte Moreno out here in Southern California would say that Betances is from Brooklyn.
Yanks said they have moved on. Bad feeling between yanks and Betances.
Can we just make it easy and post a disclaimer that the Dodgers and Yankees are interested in all talented players out there? Sure would save time
Buy low? 7mil for a bounce back project is a “buy low” option?
Damn. It’s a whole new league.
Man, he would be such a steal, even on a 1 year deal. Even with that being said, relief pitchers, especially ones that were used and abused for 5 straight years, AND that are coming off an injury that really scares me for Betances..
Obviously, if he bounces back, and comes even close to his previous production, a team would be getting one of the top 10 open arms in baseball. The only downside is, typically relief arms in this situation just never seem to fully bounce back. History would suggest he could come back healthy, but he will never quite be the same overly dominant arm he was. Even still, with some regression, Betances would still be better than most teams top non-closing option..
That being said, I would give Betamces a 1yr deal, and then offer him a team option for a second year. Something like, 1+1 team option, with 8mil in yr1, and then 7mil for the 2nd season with a 1.5mil buyout.
I think that 9.5mil assurance would be enough to entice Betances to take the deal. Plus, it would potentially reward the team taking the risk on him, and they could get him for that 2nd season..
@bravesfan88
Certainly cause for concern but he recovered from his arm issue, came back and struck out the 2 batters he faced and then partially tore his Achilles celebrating.
Dodgers are always interested. They just never land anyone they are interested in
Dellin Betances is a fabulous pitcher when he’s healthy. There’s hardly anybody with a more overpowering fastball and his strikeout numbers are insane every season.
I’d love to see a healthy Betances rejoin the Yankees, however there’s been some bad blood during arbitration and I think both sides will be going separate ways.
Whichever team does end up with him will have a possible closer on their hands, or even a lights out fireman in the mold of Andrew Miller.
@PinstripedPride
I think the “bad blood was squashed and they gave him an uncontested pay bump. I know Bets mentioned it was squashed,
Screw the dodgers, they already stole Treinen from the Yankees
Dodgers just keep all those great prospects win 90 games when time comes to make the big move say know he’s untouchable no way lux is next pete rose
May is Tom Seaver
Then watch Kershaw suck and blow it again in playoffs
Your post gave me Ebola
Please cough into a handkerchief.
Give a one year trial and help him get confidence back on that landing foot. He can dominate again.
Yeah, I’m really surprised more teams aren’t in on him. I opined in another post that I can’t believe with as well as he has pitched in the past the Yankees haven’t even reached out, according to the article. He could be a really good get for some team.
If the Yankees aren’t reaching out to him that should tell you something. No one is talking about that he was throwing 91mph in ST. Then when he came back in Sept after a long rehab he was hitting 93-94mph. That is a ways off his usual 97-100mph. Now will he get back to his old self or is he now this? If he doesn’t have his high 90s fastball he is not the same reliever and this will likely blow up in anyone’s face that signs him. He has thrown a lot of innings and pitches as a reliever and eventually they all break.
Why? There are better Relievers… They go after the cheap, after market replacement parts every single year since Andy and Stan have been at the Helm.. I don’t wanna hear about Machado and the rest.. that’s old news and that didn’t get us anywhere but watching the champagne being poured in the other dugout… As long as tickets are sold, ownership is happy and the Dynamic Duo get to keep their jobs… Much to the dismay of the Dodger Fan Base… WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS PEOPLE!!! 2nd Place is like getting kicked in the nuts…
Mets should sign him to a 1year. Do it Brodie.