Three-Inning Save: A Los Angeles Dodgers Podcast

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers resolved all but one salary arbitration case, and exchanged figures with reliever Alex Vesia. The team avoided arbitration with four pitchers by signing one-year deals for Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, and Anthony Banda. We dug into the salary figures exchanged by Vesia and the team, plus the Dodgers history in salary arbitration. Catcher Diego Cartaya, who was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on January 3, was traded on January 9 to the Twins for minor league right-hander Jose Vasquez. Also, spring training dates and news and notes regarding Heyseong Kim, and more. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the 2025 international signing period is here, and the Dodgers are one of three finalists for Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we talk with Jeffrey Paternostro of Baseball Prospectus about the top 10 prospects (and beyond) in the Dodgers organization. Outfielder Zyhir Hope was rated the top Dodgers prospect by BP, but as Paternostro notes on this episode, he is very close in ranking to another Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula, both of whom are ranked in the top 10 on the Baseball Prospectus top-101 prospects in baseball. We talked about the Dodgers minor league system, potential major-league-ready prospects, and others who caught Paternostro's eye. You can find Jeffrey's work at Baseball Prospectus, and can follow him on Bluesky at @jeffreypaternostro.bsky.social. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at Gordie Windhorn, the outfielder who played for the Dodgers in 1961. Windhorn in his four major league seasons played for the Yankees, Dodgers, A’s, and Angels. He also played 12 years in the minors – including briefly retiring as a Dodgers minor leaguer in 1960 to run a bowling alley in Danville, Virginia – and finished up his playing days with six seasons for the Hankyu Braves in the Japanese Pacific League. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, an overview of the Dodgers offseason after the signings of Teoscar Hernández and Hyeseong Kim on January 3. Plus a look at what’s left to come this offseason, headlined by Roki Sasaki. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux to the Reds, three days after signing Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year deal. The signing of Kim gave the Dodgers a bit of an infield glut, which was cleared by moving Lux, who was pretty much limited to second base. But the Dodgers still might add position-player depth this offseason. From Cincinnati, the Dodgers received outfielder Mike Sirota, a third-round pick of the Reds in 2024 and 16th-round 2021 draft pick of the Dodgers out of high school. The Dodgers also got the Reds’ Competitive Balance Round A draft pick in 2025, which will be somewhere in the 35-40 pick range. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers re-signed Teoscar Hernández, bringing back a key component to one of the best offenses in Major League Baseball. They also signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year deal, further solidifying the position-player roster. Hernández, who settled for a one-year contract last offseason, got the three-year deal he wanted this time around, with a guaranteed $66 million. There’s a club option in 2028, a hefty signing bonus, and some deferred money as well, a fashion similar to the Dodgers’ recent pacts with Blake Snell and Tommy Edman. Kim was a three-time Golden Glove Award winner, at shortstop and second base, for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO, and played the Dodgers in an exhibition game in Seoul last March. The Dodgers signed the lefty-hitting soon-to-be 26-year-old for three years, $12.5 million plus a two-year option for 2028-29. Kim is expected to play all over the field for Los Angeles. We look at what signing Hernández and Kim means for the now-full 40-man roster, the payroll implications of this latest Dodgers move, what it might mean for Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux, Andy Pages, and others. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we look back on various predictions made for the Dodgers in 2024 as well as the MLB season and postseason. From the first Dodgers pinch-hit home run, to which teams would make the playoffs, to guessing contracts, number of pitchers used, number of players to hit a home run, and much more. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers signed Blake Treinen and Michael Conforto, highlighting their activity during the winter meetings. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the winter meetings are here, and we look at the schedule for next week in Dallas. With Blake Snell and Tommy Edman already signed, the next Dodgers signing might very well be outfielder Teoscar Hernández returning to Los Angeles. We look at what might be next for the Dodgers. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, Blake Snell is now a Dodger as the team swam in the deep end of the free agent pool early in the offseason. We look at how Snell fits the rotation, plus highlights from his press conference at Dodger Stadium, thoughts on the Dodgers payroll, and all those deferrals. Tommy Edman was going to be a free agent after 2025, but they signed the infielder/outfielder to a five-year deal to keep him through 2029. Those two deals alone make this the most money the Dodgers have added prior to the winter meetings than the first 10 offseasons of the Andrew Friedman-led Dodgers front office combined. Also, Freddie Freeman had surgery on the sprained right ankle that hampered him during October, until winning World Series MVP. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, Shohei Ohtani won the National League MVP award unanimously, and the Dodgers made a slew of roster moves in the last week. Ohtani is the only MLB player ever with more than one unanimous MVP win, and he’s done so in three of the last four years. He joined Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVP in both the American League and National League. We also look at the Dodgers making some roster moves in the last week, which featured deadlines to set reserve lists for the Rule 5 Draft and to tender contracts to players on the 40-man roster. And Chris Woodward will be the first base coach in 2025, replacing Clayton McCullough who left to manage the Marlins. Left-hander Jack Dreyer was added to the roster after strong numbers in Triple-A and Double-A this season. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, both of whom missed all of 2024 after elbow surgery, avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to terms on contracts for 2025. Postseason cult hero Brent Honeywell and left-hander Zach Logue were non-tendered, making them free agents. Both pitchers are out of options, as is Connor Brogdon, who was sent outright to Triple-A but opted for free agency instead. We analyze the Dodgers 40-man roster, which now has 36 players, including 22 pitchers and 14 position players. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the offseason is here, and we take stock of the Dodgers, roster, decisions so far, and those yet to come. Since the season ended, three Dodgers had surgeries: Shohei Ohtani to repair a torn labrum after dislocating his left shoulder in the World Series, Clayton Kershaw had procedures on his left foot and left knee, and Brusdar Graterol had left shoulder surgery to repair his labrum. Austin Barnes and Miguel Rojas are back after their options were picked up. Plus we talked about free agents like Teoscar Hernández and Walker Buehler, plus the intrigue surrounding when Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki will be posted to MLB. For more on Sasaki, informative pieces were written by Daniel Brim at Dodgers Digest and by Jim Allen. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we look back on the 2024 Dodgers season, which ended in triumph with a World Series win. We answer trivia about the season and postseason, plus look at Dave Roberts’ legacy, the rivalry with the Padres, and much more. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we recap the Dodgers winning the World Series. We recap the final three games at Yankee Stadium, which began with a Walker Buehler win in Game 3 in New York and ended with a Walker Buehler save two days later. In between was a study in bullpen management and game theory, plus a stunning comeback in Game 5 with the Dodgers erasing a 5-0 deficit to win their second championship in five years. Freddie Freeman electrified Dodger Stadium with his walk-off grand slam in Game 1, and homered in each of the first four games of the series. He delivered a two-run single in the Game 5 comeback, and finished with 12 RBI, tying a record on his way to winning the World Series MVP award. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we recap the raucous first two games of the World Series, both won by the Dodgers over the Yankees at Dodger Stadium. From Freddie Freeman hitting the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history in Game 1 to Yoshinobu Yamamoto having an ace-like start in Game 2, plus Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernández, and even Ice Cube, there were plenty of storylines in the first two games. Now the series shifts to Yankee Stadium in New York. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers are in the World Series in a star-studded matchup with the Yankees. Jack Flaherty on the mound in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium against Gerrit Cole. Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Carlos Rodón in Game 2. We preview the matchup of so many potential Hall of Famers, like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Freddie Freeman, Giancarlo Stanton, and more. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we remember the glorious career and baseball life of Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela, who died on October 22. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers finished the job at home, beating the Mets in Game 6 of the NLCS to clinch their first pennant at Dodger Stadium since 1988. The Dodgers deployed a bullpen game in Game 6, relying on all high-leverage relievers to cover all nine innings. Four pitchers recorded more than three outs, and Blake Treinen closed out the win in the final two innings. Bulk reliever Brent Honeywell was an unsung hero as well, eating innings in Games 2 and 5 to keep the others fresh. LA’s offense provided the cover with another double-digit outburst, led by surprise NLCS MVP Tommy Edman, who tied Dodgers records with 11 hits and 11 RBI during the series. Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy each set Dodgers records by reaching base 17 times. As a team, the Dodgers walked more in the NLCS than any team in postseason series, and had the highest-scoring series by any National League team ever. Now, it’s on to face the Yankees in the World Series, which will begin Friday at Dodger Stadium. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers won two of three over the Mets in New York in the NLCS, and now need just one more win to get back to the World Series. Every game of the NLCS has been decided by four or more runs, and the Dodgers were on the positive side of that in big wins in Games 3 and 4 at Citi Field. Max Muncy reached base in 12 consecutive plate appearances to set a major league record for one postseason. Mookie Betts had a 4-hit, 4-RBI game in Game 4, and the Dodgers got effective starts by Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Jack Flaherty could not repeat his Game 1 performance in Game 5, and was blasted for eight runs in three innings. The game got away in a five-run third inning, in which Dave Roberts had to navigate when to use high-leverage relievers versus saving them for back home for Game 6 (with more rest) and potentially Game 7. Those are the kind of decisions a team can make when up 3-1 in a series, but now the Dodgers are up 3-2. But most importantly, they still lead the NLCS, and have two chances to win one game at Dodger Stadium to get back to the World Series. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers split the first two games with the Mets in the NLCS at home. Game 1 was a blowout for Los Angeles, with Jack Flaherty pitching seven strong innings in a 9-0 blowout win. That tied the Dodgers with the 1966 Orioles for the longest scoreless streak in postseason history at 33 innings. In Game 2, the Mets jumped out early, including a grand slam by Mark Vientos off Landon Knack that gave New York a 6-0 lead in the second inning. The Dodgers clawed back and got the tying run on base or to the plate in two late innings but couldn’t complete the comeback. Now the NLCS shifts to Citi Field in New York for three games. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we preview the NLCS between the Dodgers and Mets with the fine folks at Home Run Applesauce. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers are back in the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2021, and their sixth NLCS appearance in nine years. The Dodgers will face the Mets beginning Sunday night at Dodger Stadium, with Jack Flaherty on the mound in Game 1 for Los Angeles and Kodai Senga starting for New York. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers foiled the Padres elimination plans twice in winning the NLDS. We recap the decisive Game 5 win for the Dodgers, which was their second straight shutout to close out the series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto recovered from a bad Game 1 start to pitch five scoreless innings. The Hernándezes (Kiké and Teoscar) each homered to provide the only offense the Dodgers needed. After 24 consecutive scoreless innings to close out the NLDS, the Dodgers move onto the NLCS to face the Mets. More on that soon. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices