Blake Treinen has re-established his allegiance to the Los Angeles Dodgers, penning a two-year contract valued at $22 million. The experienced reliever, who has been with the Dodgers for five years, will continue to bolster their bullpen as he prepares for his upcoming 36-year-old season. The announcement of Treinen's re-signing arrived on a Tuesday, bringing a sense of relief to Dodgers fans eager to see the seasoned pitcher return to form.
Treinen made a powerful comeback during the 2024 MLB season, impressively posting a 1.93 ERA over 46 ⅔ innings. His performance was marked not just by consistency, but by his ability to dominate on the mound, recording 56 strikeouts while issuing just 11 unintentional walks. Such statistics are a testament to Treinen's incredible tenacity and precision, qualities that have cemented his reputation as a reliable force in the Dodgers' bullpen.
The Long Road Back
Treinen's journey back to the mound has been anything but straightforward. His career was temporarily derailed when he underwent shoulder surgery, sidelining him for the majority of the 2022-23 seasons. The setback was compounded by unfortunate injuries including fractured ribs and a bruised lung sustained during a spring training mishap. These obstacles tested both his physical resilience and mental fortitude. Yet, Treinen has proven that determination and rigorous rehabilitation can restore an athlete's peak performance.
A Glimpse of Dominance
The level of skill that Treinen brings to the Dodgers is deeply rooted in his past achievements, most notably his remarkable 2018 season with the Oakland Athletics. During that year, he compiled 38 saves and subsequently finished sixth in the highly competitive American League Cy Young balloting. His consistency on the mound distinguished him early on and continues to do so today.
While reflecting on his 2021 season, it's noted that Treinen achieved an impressive 1.99 ERA paired with a 3.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio, solidifying his value within the league. His continued success is no mere coincidence but rather the result of unwavering dedication to his craft.
Reaffirming Value and Potential
Entering this offseason, Treinen ranked as the No. 22 available free agent, a testament to his sustained value in the league despite the challenges he faced. Throughout his career, he has maintained an ERA+ of 149 and accumulated 80 saves over 549 ⅔ innings. This data showcases the reliability and talent that teams across the league covet in a reliever.
Reflecting on Treinen's expected performance, analysts observed, "Coming into the year, it was reasonable to think that Treinen wouldn't be as effective this season as he was in 2021." Nevertheless, Treinen's ability to defy these expectations highlights not only his resilience but also his capacity to adapt and excel under pressure.
As Treinen prepares to once again don the Dodgers uniform, there is renewed optimism that his presence will continue to elevate the team’s performance. His journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of perseverance, guided by an unwavering commitment to his sport. The upcoming seasons with Treinen at the helm of the bullpen promise to add depth and dynamism to the Dodgers' quest for continued success.