To strengthen their starting rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to sign Shohei Ohtani and are also interested in Yoshinobu Yamamoto; however, other needs on the squad must also be taken care of.

Corner outfield and center field are two of them, and the Dodgers are reportedly interested in a possible Willy Adames trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Yariel Rodríguez, who can be used as a starter or reliever, has also been connected to Los Angeles.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Robert Stephenson is another possible choice for the Dodgers bullpen. The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels are also interested in him.

Stephenson was transferred to the Tampa Bay Rays in June in exchange for Alika Williams, after starting the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 60 appearances, he was 3-4 overall with a 3.10 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 0.88 WHIP, and a 38.3% strikeout rate. Among other stats, Stephenson achieved career-best numbers in games, opponents’ batting average (.162), strikeout percentage, ERA, and WHIP.

Stephenson’s success mostly occurred after he was moved to the Rays. He had difficulty in his right arm during spring training, and he spent the first 15 days of the season on the injured list. As a result, he only made 18 appearances for the Pirates. The right-hander was 0-3 with a 5.14 ERA and 13.1% walk rate over that time.

After being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Stephenson had four consecutive appearances on Baseball America’s list of the top 100 prospects, peaking at No. 19 in 2014. In 2016, Stephenson made his Major League Baseball debut with the Reds as a starter; however, in 2019, he moved into the bullpen.

Prospective employment agreement with Robert StephensonStephenson’s breakout season arrived at a favorable moment, as he seems destined for a multi-year deal worth more than $30 million.

Since most of the Dodgers bullpen’s main contributors are expected to return in 2023, Stephenson will presumably become somewhat of a luxury.

The Dodgers decided to bring Blake Treinen back for 2024 despite declining the team options for Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, and Alex Reyes.