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With names being tossed around the rumor mill in trades and free agency, the Dodgers could look within their system to solve the closer problem created by Kenley Jansen. We saw Julio Urias get the final out of the World Series, but could he be called on more to finish games in the 9th?
Julio Urias was once the most talked about prospect coming from the Dodgers system and whether he could make it as a starter in the big leagues. He dominated in the Dodgers minor league system as a starter across seven seasons with a 2.80 career ERA with a WHIP of 1.108 in 76 games started. He also had an RA9 (Runs Allowed/Nine Innings) of 2.97 across those 7 seasons in the minor leagues in which he seemed destined to play a significant role in the Dodgers. However, during his MLB career (postseason included), Urias has been used 10 more times out of the bullpen than he has started. That’s a big difference from what he was used too in the minor leagues due to the Dodgers young pitching depth. He’s been trying to figure it out in the big leagues while also seeing time as a reliever which he hasn’t seemed to mind as his numbers have been solid from that role as well.
While Urias still has the time and ability to make it as a starter, the Dodgers could use him as their future permanent closer as his numbers in relief back up his case to keep him in the bullpen. He was used mostly as a starter in 2020 having started 10 games in 11 appearances, however, if you look at his combined numbers from 2019 and 2020, Urias only started 18 games in 48 appearances which were mostly seen from the bullpen and closer role. He was able to finish 7 of those games in which he also notched up 4 saves, he also had a combined ERA of 2.81 with a 1.106 WHIP and an ERA+ of 149 all of these fantastic numbers came from mostly in the bullpen whether it be as a reliever or closer. He has the stuff and the fire within him on the mound as he displayed for everyone in the World Series that he can pitch in big moments and rise to the occasion. Of course, he would be replacing long time closer Kenley Jansen, which, while he posted solid numbers for the Dodgers in the past, it’s been like biting nails seeing him come into games.
Kenley Jansen is looking at free agency after the 2021 season, and the Dodgers may not think of resigning him should they find success in Urias, which comes at a cheaper price. His numbers combined for the 2019 and 2020 season have been overall less appealing than Urias as Jansen has a combined 3.61 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched with a 1.088 WHIP and an ERA+ of 116. Throughout the 2020 season, it’s been hard for Dodgers fans to watch Jansen come into the 9th inning due to his lack of recent success and that played a role in the postseason decision making for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. In the postseason, Jansen struggled, he pitched in two games in the NLDS against the San Diego Padres where he had a 13.50 ERA while giving up a combined two earned runs on three hits which he failed to record outs which resulted in the high ERA. In the World Series it was just as bad, he again had a high ERA which was 10.80 in two games pitched, giving up two earned runs on three hits again. While he did have some success against the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS, that isn’t enough to warrant him as the closer and Roberts didn’t think so either, giving the ball to Urias to close it out.
Urias will be coming in as the cheaper of the two choices and should he keep finding success in the bullpen, he may find himself as the closer for the Dodgers. The Dodgers can certainly go to free agency to help strengthen their bullpen, however, should they not land the likes of Liam Hendricks, then Urias will be their next best option. There’s no doubt that Urias also has shown success in the starting rotation, especially this season given his numbers, however, it will depend on what the Dodgers prioritize this offseason in terms of adding players whether it be in the rotation or the bullpen. But, given that Jansen only has one more season left on his contract, giving the ball to Urias to lock it down for the boys in blue may not be a bad idea at all.
Jacob Cisneros is a writer for Dodgers-LowDown. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @_JacobCisneros.