“Just One Piece Away”: Why Dodgers Fans Are Hopeful a “Measured Approach” Will Finally Fix the Bullpen Rhythm

(LOS ANGELES) — It’s a sentiment whispering through the fanbase, hanging in the air like the anticipation of Opening Day: We are just one piece away from everything clicking again.

After a 2025 season that delivered a World Series trophy but also countless heart attacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a “delicate dance.” The question isn’t about talent—the heart of the team is intact. The question is about rhythm, specifically in a bullpen that felt chaotic even as champagne was being popped.

The “Tough Lessons” of Bold Moves

The “hint of uncertainty” fans feel stems directly from the “tough lessons” of last winter.

The Dodgers swung big in 2025, handing a massive contract to closer Tanner Scott ($72 million) and investing heavily in veteran arms like Kirby Yates. The result? A 4.74 ERA from Scott, 10 blown saves, and a bullpen that nearly derailed the championship run.

Those bold moves created noise, but they didn’t create harmony.

Pivoting to a “Measured Approach”

Now, reports indicate a shift. The front office appears to be leaning into the “measured approach” you mentioned.

Instead of chasing the next $100 million closer (like Edwin Díaz, currently linked to the Mets and Braves), the Dodgers are pivoting to smarter, more surgical targets. Names like Pete Fairbanks (Tampa Bay) or the internal development of arms like Edgardo Henriquez are surfacing as the “right mix.”

This isn’t about finding a savior; it’s about finding a stabilizer.

Finding the Rhythm

“It feels like we’re just one piece away.”

That “one piece” likely isn’t a superstar. It’s the reliable 8th-inning arm who throws strikes. It’s the healthy return of Evan Phillips to his dominant form. It’s the “balance” between the high-velocity youngsters and the savvy veterans.

The uncertainty is real, but so is the hope. If the Dodgers can execute this “measured approach,” the 2026 season won’t just be another title defense—it will be the season where the rhythm finally matches the talent.

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