Days after the Dodgers DFA’d Ryan Brasier, the Cubs picked up the veteran reliever via trade on February 4. Brasier goes to Chicago after a successful run in Los Angeles, highlighted by a World Series victory in 2024 & a key change to his arsenal.
A Look at Brasier
During the 2023 campaign, the Dodgers took a shot on former Red Sox reliever Ryan Brasier, a hard-throwing righty who got hit hard in 2022-23 with Boston. However, things changed with the Dodgers.
Brasier introduced a cutter into his arsenal, a pitch that gave him a new dimension, a pitch he could use against left-handed bats. Aside from a seldom-used changeup, Brasier didn’t have a true out pitch against LHH, as he was primarily a fastball/slider pitcher. That pitch, though, made a significant difference.
The veteran posted a .70 ERA with the Dodgers in 2023. Los Angeles brought him back in December 2023, after the team traded away lefty Caleb Ferguson to the Yankees. Calf issues limited Brasier to 29 contests in 2024. But when on the mound, Brasier netted a strong 34.2% Chase%.
Brasier isn’t a swing-and-miss pitcher; rather, one who can give hitters a lot of different looks. His four-seamer sits in the mid-90s but had a mean MPH drop of -1.2 in 2024, compared to 2023. However, it, along with the slider, were highly effective.
Getting back to the cutter, the pitch itself had a 3.7% Whiff%. That number doesn’t tell the whole story. It has above-average carry (10.9”, 2.6” above league-average), making it a pitch tough to barrel up and easy to get under it. Opposing batters had just a .182 average off it.
The Cubs announced the acquisition of Ryan Brasier for cash considerations, with Rob Zastryzny DFA’d as a corresponding move.
Analysis
Brasier was squeezed out by the Dodgers not because he was bad; rather, he was quite good in 2024. However, the Dodgers beefed up their bullpen with Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, two of baseball’s best relievers last season. The acquistion of the latter led to Brasier being DFA’d.
The Cubs have been busy hunting relief help this offseason, picking up Caleb Thielbar, Eli Morgan, and recently, likely 2025 closer Ryan Pressly.
Chicago’s bullpen was fine overall in 2024, thanks to the emergence of Porter Hodge and strong performances from Tyson Miller, Nate Pearson, and Luke Little. The recent aquisitions, though, have focused on giving the Cubs reliable, veteran bullpen help, as well as more importantly, depth.
Depth was an issue for the Cubs last season, thanks to falters from Hector Neris and struggles, and eventually, a season-ending injury to Adbert Alzolay.