It all began when the Dodgers began using Roki Sasaki in one-inning outings at Triple-A before placing him into the bullpen near the end of the season. He has thrived as a reliever, which may not be his role entering 2026, but he has adjusted his mechanics with terrific results.
Through four postseason appearances, he’s allowed one baserunner, a one-out double by Max Kepler during a save in the first game of the National League Divisional series. Otherwise, he has retired 16 of 17 batters faced (a 0.189 WHIP) across 5.1 innings with a 75 percent strike rate and five strikeouts (29.4 K%), producing an 18.3 swinging strike percentage.
As Houston Mitchell of the Los Angeles Times noted in his weekly newsletter to subscribers, only three relievers have pitched with a lead during the playoffs:
This coincides with Tanner Scott being unavailable until the World Series if Los Angeles advances:
It seems like there will be fewer instances of the Dodgers using relievers against different hitter lanes if they are relying on Sasaki as their preferred option closing out contests:
In the interim, Sasaki will continue his reprised role, and the team will hope he carries over the momentum to starting games in 2026.
MLB.com beat writers published a slew of updates with five things facing teams heading into the offseason, plus some notes from other sites by team with free agency beginning the day after the World Series concludes.
Leverage Ledger
Arizona Diamondbacks – Steve Gilbert provided a potential timeline for returns by A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez in his questions heading into the offseason post:
Arizona set an MLB record with 17 different pitchers recording at least one save in 2025. The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers finished a distant second, with 12 pitchers recording at least a save during the regular season. Who the team adds may determine what roles the relievers returning from Tommy John surgery fill.
Cincinnati Reds – After reaching the playoffs, can the team return in 2026? There will be questions about how payroll will affect roster construction per Mark Sheldon, especially for the bullpen:
This could make Tony Santillan an early option at closer if the team does not re-sign Emilio Pagán. Also, keep tabs on Connor Phillips. He recorded 19 strikeouts versus five walks (26.9 K-BB%) over his last 12 appearances, spanning 14.1 innings, with a 0.56 WHIP, a 16.2 swinging strike percentage, and a 60.2 percent contact rate allowed.
Los Angeles Angels – How the team handles the bullpen, and specifically the closer, may be determined by the new manager. However, Kenley Jansen finished strong and is open to returning to the team:
Stay tuned.
Minnesota Twins – Having already moved on from Rocco Baldelli as the manager, could the team’s second half provide insight on how fantasy managers should handle the bullpen? In 66 games after the All-Star break, the team won 23 games with nine saves by seven different relievers, which is less than optimal. Here is the note from Matthew Leach in his top questions facing the Twins this winter:
A name to track about his potential future role, David Festa: he could take the Jhoan Duran path to the majors as a reliever.
New York Mets – Representing one of the bullpens with the most potential for a high turnover rate, encapsulated perfectly by Anthony DiComo for MLB.com:
Alex Smith of SNY provided this update about Dylan Ross, who could be a popular 50th-round pick in early Draft Champions contests.
New York Yankees – It’s easier said than done, but here is a note from The Athletic by Chris Kirschner:
Every team craves relievers with high velocity that command their pitches; it’s why relievers command better salaries on contending teams. As a reminder, this free agent class is not as deep as years past. New York may have to trade or convert a starting pitching prospect into a reliever. And getting a former closer may not be a bad idea in case David Bednar has inconsistent outings like previous seasons.
Texas Rangers – Kennedi Landry addressed a question many have for Skip Schumaker this season: the team’s bullpen.
Texas was tied for second in blown saves, though these were not necessarily all in the ninth inning, with only the Angels (34) having more in 2025. This team could go in many directions in the future, especially in 2026, making it one of the most intriguing situations to monitor this winter.
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