Cubs Pursuing Impressive Dodgers Reliever

While most of the offseason attention among Cubs fans has focused on the top-end of the free-agent market, the team has other needs that need to be addressed, including the bullpen. According to MLB insider, Jon Heyman, the Cubs are one of a handful of teams that are pursuing veteran reliever Ryan Brasier.

The 36-year-old had an incredible stretch to end the 2023 season after he was released by the Boston Red Sox in May and then signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers a couple weeks later on a minor league deal. Brasier struggled in Boston, posting a 7.29 ERA in 20 appearances, but then the righty was lights out in Los Angeles. Brasier made his Dodgers debut on June 21, 2023, and proceeded to record an impressive 0.70 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in 38.2 innings.

Brasier allowed a total of three earned runs with the Dodgers, while he had a great strikeout to walk ratio of 38/10 in his 39 relief outings. So, it's no surprise that the Dodgers are also in the mix to retain Brasier.

Heyman says the Cubs, Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are all interested in the reliever.

Brasier began his career with the Angels, signing with them after he was a sixth round pick in 2007 MLB Draft. However, Brasier didn't pitch much in the majors with the team that drafted him, making seven total appearances out of the bullpen for the Angels during the 2013 season. Brasier was later outrighted off LA's 40-man roster after the 2014 season.

He didn't sign on with another team until the summer, agreeing to a minor league deal with the Oakland A's in July. However, Brasier was never called up to the big leagues and spent most of his time in the A's organization at the Triple-A level in 2015 and 2016, respectively. That led to Brasier's contract being sold to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the NPB in Japan. Brasier was effective overseas, posting a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings during the 2017 season with the Toyo Carp.

After that Brasier returned to MLB, signing with the Red Sox in 2018. He was excellent in the regular season and in the postseason, helping Boston win the World Series. Brasier made 34 appearances in 2018 and had a 1.60 ERA with a fantastic 0.77 WHIP in 33.2 innings. During Boston's playoff run, Brasier posted a 1.04 ERA in nine relief appearances.

Brasier had some up and down seasons with the Red Sox from 2019-21, but then his struggles in 2022-23, led to his release before the resurgence with the Dodgers. Overall in his career, Brasier has a 3.88 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, averaging a little more than three strikeouts for every walk.

Meanwhile, the Pinwheels And Ivy Podcast discussed the state of free agency and how Jed Hoyer and Scott Boras are in a long staring contest.