The Dodgers' addition of multiple free-agent relievers, such as Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott, and Blake Trienen, forced them to decide who to keep in their bullpen in 2025. The Dodgers DFA'd RHP Ryan Brasier on Thursday, and if the Nationals are smart, they will make a claim. Over the last 3 seasons, the Nationals have claimed plenty of DFA'd relievers and turned them into reliable options. Both RHP Hunter Harvey and LHP Robert Garcia had been DFA'd by their respected teams and claimed by Mike Rizzo, and both ended up pitching well enough to become sought-after options for bullpens in the league. Harvey would be traded to Kansas City in the 2024 season for 3B Cayden Wallace and a comprehensive 2nd-round pick (C Caleb Lomavita), while Garcia was traded 2 months ago for all-star 1B Nathaniel Lowe in a 1-for-1 trade. Brasier seems to fit that narrative, and the Nationals need a dependable reliever who can become there closer.
Brasier made his debut in 2013 with the Angels, appearing in 7 games and pitching to a 2.00 ERA. Brasier would become a free agent and sign with Oakland for the 2014 season; he would remain a minor leaguer until 2016 before being released. Brasier did not appear on an MLB team again until 2018, when he pitched to a 1.60 ERA over 34 games with Boston, eventually becoming a World Series Champion later that year. Brasier had finally found a home and played in Boston from 2018-2023 before being acquired by the Dodgers in 2023. Brasier's longest season came in 2022, appearing in 68 games, pitching to a 5.78 ERA and the Dodgers were taking a chance on Brasier who had a 7.29 ERA over the first 20 games in 2023. Brasier found rejuvenation in 2023 with LA, pitching to a 0.70 ERA in 39 appearances, striking out 38 and walking 10. Brasier became a reliable option out of the bullpen once again and was primed to be a top candidate out of the Dodgers 'pen in 2024.
Brasier would appear in 29 games in 2024, including 4 starts, and would pitch to a 3.54 ERA striking out 25 and only walking 5 over 28 innings. While the numbers didn't compare to 2023, Brasier had a decent season, and his recent DFA has come as a surprise to many fans of MLB. Now, why is Brasier a good fit for DC? While Brasier is 37 years of age, he would enter the team with one year left on his contract. More importantly (at least for Mark Lerner), Brasier's contract only carries a $4.5 million price tag. The Nationals have proven they have a strict budget, and there is no reason that Brasier does not fit that budget. The Nationals do not have a set closer on the roster for 2025 and could use a veteran presence in the bullpen, and Brasier does have experience with 10 saves over his career. Brasier is a perfect example of a reliever that the Nats would take a chance on.
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