The Dodgers’ bullpen picture is still taking shape, and the left-handed market is where the tension sits. Alex Vesia is drawing interest from multiple teams, and while Los Angeles would like to keep him, a bidding war could push him out of reach.
That uncertainty has opened the door for other options, and Tim Hill is now on the Dodgers’ radar, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman reported: “The Yankees are interested in bringing back Tim Hill. The Guardians, Mets, Giants and Dodgers are among other teams in the mix”
Hill, 36, is coming off a mixed year with the Yankees. He went 5-2 with a 4.60 ERA, 5.93 FIP and 1.14 WHIP over 58.2 innings in 67 appearances.
Even so, there’s still value in what he does against lefties. In 137 plate appearances, left-handed batters hit just .213/.265/.346 against him, and he allowed only seven extra-base hits.
The bigger selling point may be the broader track record. Hill posted a 3.22 ERA across 132 combined games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, which helps explain why teams are still checking in despite the uneven 2026 numbers.
This isn’t a brand-new connection, either. The Dodgers were linked to Hill two offseasons ago before he returned to the Yankees on a one-year deal with a club option for 2026. Clearly, he’s a name the organization has had on its board before.
For now, though, Hill looks like a fallback if Vesia signs elsewhere. And that’s where the Dodgers’ bullpen planning gets interesting.
As things stand, Los Angeles is projected to bring back Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Jack Dreyer, Edgardo Henriquez and Brock Stewart, among others, next season. Scott and Dreyer are the only notable left-handers, depending on Justin Wrobleski’s role, which makes adding another southpaw an obvious offseason priority. Re-signing Vesia, landing Hill or finding another lefty would all fit that need.
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Dodgers Linked To A Power Bat That Could Test Their Spending
Teruaki Sato is officially on the market, and the 27-year-old Japanese infielders posting has already drawn a familiar list of heavy hitters. The Dodgers are among the clubs said to have interest, alongside the Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Padres, which is a pretty good sign the bidding could get competitive fast for a player with real power and a reputation that has traveled well across the Pacific.
The timing matters as much as the talent. Sato has until Dec. 1 to reach a deal before a league lockout shuts down negotiations, and he is expected to command a high-value contract. For the Dodgers, who are never shy about chasing impact talent, this is the kind of market that can quickly turn into a test of how far they want to push their spending for a bat that could change the shape of their offseason. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger picture is just as important as the replacement itself. The Dodgers want younger players who can hold up over the grind of the regular season, while also giving Tommy Edman a chance to slide into a super utility role. Kiner-Falefa looks like the kind of bench stabilizer who could help in that mix, but the front office still has to decide which profile best fits the roster it is trying to build. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Are Chasing A Japanese Phenom Before His Path Gets Messy
The Dodgers have been doing their homework overseas again, holding a meeting in Japan with pitching prospect Shoki Oda as they continue to evaluate international talent. Oda, who was taken first overall by the Yomiuri Giants in the NPB draft, is already drawing attention well beyond Japan because of the unusual path he may choose next.
Oda is reportedly weighing whether to bypass NPB entirely and sign directly with an MLB club, and he is said to be meeting with multiple teams. If he does not land with a major league organization, he has indicated he could head to college in the United States, which leaves his next step very much in play and gives clubs like the Dodgers a real chance to get involved before the route gets crowded. [Read more 🡒]