After adding former Gold Glove outfielder David Peralta, the Los Angeles Dodgers have added 2021 All-Star relief pitcher Alex Reyes on a one-year deal with a club option in 2024.
Reyes, who missed the 2022 season with a shoulder injury, is likely to miss the first few months of the 2023 season as he continues to rehab from shoulder surgery.
Joining a bullpen in Los Angeles that already has Alex Vesia, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol, they can afford to let Reyes take his time to heal. When healthy, he is an explosive arm, and he can make an already-dominant bullpen even better.
The former top prospect for the St. Louis Cardinals joined the organization in 2013 as an international free agent.
Unfortunately, Reyes battled injuries throughout his time with the Cardinals and managed to put together one only full season in St. Louis.
That season was his 2021 All-Star campaign. He would pitch in 69 games as the Cardinals closer, posting a 10-8 record with a 3.24 ERA and 29 saves.
Reyes’ slider was considered one of the best in baseball last time he was healthy and was able to pair that with his heavy fastball often overwhelming opposing hitters.
With the deal being loaded with performance bonuses, this is a win-win for L.A.
If Reyes performs like he is capable of, the Dodgers will gladly pay those incentives as they look to challenge for a World Series title in 2023.
