Reliever who was a Mariner for a hot minute is now the Dodgers’ secret weapon
The Mariners bullpen is performing wonders proper now, rating second in the majors with a 3.08 ERA regardless of the absence of Matt Brash, Gabe Speier and Carlos Vargas. However, there’s an underlying sense they’re solely simply hanging on with out the injured trio. When you delve deeperthey’ve some real issues similar to solely rating 18th in WHIP and tied-Twenty fifth in batting common. If solely they nonetheless had Will Klein.
What’s that, you say? Do we actually imply the similar Will Klein who recorded a 7.17 ERA and 1.969 WHIP final season in 22 aid appearances in Triple-A Tacoma, earlier than ultimately being traded to the Dodgers in exchange for Joe Jacques? Well sure, we do imply him.
In one more instance of the M’s fanbase being uncovered to the twilight zone, Klein has been a revelation throughout his time in Los Angeles. Sure his performances in Triple-A Oklahoma City following the commerce had been equally nothing to write down dwelling about, however at any time when he pitched for the Dodgers it was a completely different story completely. He produced a 2.35 ERA in 14 aid appearances, however even this could not put together anybody for what he did in the 2025 postseason.
After not being utilized in the first three rounds of the postseason, Klein was added to the lively roster for the World Series. His shining moment came in Game 3 versus the Blue Jaysas he stepped up for a depleted bullpen by pitching the ultimate 4 innings of an 18-inning epic. He struck out 5, walked two and solely allowed one hit with no runs, finally incomes the W due to the Dodgers’ walk-off victory in the backside of the 18th.
Easy to criticize the Mariners with the good thing about hindsight, however you possibly can’t maintain the commerce in opposition to them
This is a type of conditions where it’s okay just to be happy for someoneparticularly somebody who by no means really pitched for the Mariners in the majors. At the similar time, it is honest if the group and the fanbase determine to have some stage of remorse, with Klein persevering with to be the Dodgers’ secret weapon in 2026.
Klein has been used sparingly by the Dodgers to date this season with solely 13 appearances, and but he is confirmed to be efficient when referred to as upon. In all he is pitched 18.1 innings for a 2.45 ERA, and he is tied-Twenty third amongst Major League relievers with a 0.5 fWAR. For what it is price, this may be second-best on the Mariners roster, behind simply Jose A. Ferrer at 0.7.
You do need to marvel how a lot of Klein’s success ought to be thought-about a blip, versus simply lastly being given the alternative to pitch extra in the majors and construct his confidence. For instance, his fastball velocity has ranked in the high decile in all three of his Major League seasons and appears extra sustainable in comparison with his elite 2.0 p.c barrel charge to date in 2026. Of course statistics could be manipulated to assist any argument, so will probably be fascinating to see how he performs in the coming months.
In any occasion, you possibly can’t blame the Mariners for eliminating Klein. It’s at all times straightforward to criticize somebody with the good thing about hindsight. Although simply to make it worse, Jacques did little throughout his quick spell in Tacoma and now appears decided to pitch himself out of affiliated ball with a horrendous exhibiting for the Mets in Triple-A Syracuse.