The addition of Kopech completely changed the outlook of the LA bullpen, a key part of this World Series winning effort
Tommy Edman went above and beyond what anyone could’ve hoped for in certain postseason moments, but it’s hard to escape the argument that Michael Kopech proved the most important acquisition by the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Both came to Los Angeles in an outstanding three-team deal with the White Sox and Cardinals on July 29.
A flamethrower whose pure stuff was never questioned, Kopech had an up-and-down career with the White Sox. The young right-hander struggled to prove himself the starting pitcher Chicago hoped he’d be after acquiring him in the Chris Sale trade back in the day.
Kopech’s woes moved him to the bullpen in 2024 and that’s where he absolutely thrived on an outstanding second half with the Dodgers, turning around what had otherwise been a disastrous season.
It was a very small sample, but right before the trade, Kopech was beginning to show signs of life with Chicago, pitching 5⅔ one-hit innings with seven strikeouts. Looking not only at that, but the pure talent Kopech possesses, LA took a chance on him at a time when its bullpen had some question marks.
A stud right off the bat with the Dodgers, it took minimal time for Kopech to obtain a high-leverage opportunity on the team, one game to be specific. Kopech pitched in a blowout loss at Petco Park, and in his next appearance covered the seventh inning in a game LA led 2-0 against the A’s. The Dodgers eventually made it a 10-0 win, but that’s beside the point.
In August alone, Kopech compiled six holds, three saves, and two wins in 13 appearances, carrying on a scoreless streak of 16 innings. Kopech’s first save with the Dodgers came on the road against the Cardinals, striking out Victor Scott II and William Contreras en route to a 7-6 win.
Finishing nine of the 24 games he was involved in with LA, Kopech was immediately one of this team’s top relievers. At one point it kind of looked like he’d take over as the closer, and while he did get plenty of saves, the Dodgers stayed committed to its committee approach, particularly in the postseason.
Moving over to the playoffs, Kopech appeared nine times and LA took the win in eight of those games, as this team navigated two wildly different plans depending on each game’s path. Dave Roberts was unafraid to “punt” an individual game, looking at the big picture within each series of a team short on starters and relying heavily on its bullpen.
All three runs Kopech allowed in the playoffs didn’t prove difference makers, as the Dodgers won the games in which he conceded them. Perhaps his most significant impact came in the World Series, with all three of his appearances in games decided by no more than three runs.
2024 particulars
Age: 28
Stats: 1.13 ERA, 2.54 FIP, 6 saves, 24 G, 24 IP, 10 BB, 29 K with Dodgers
Salary: $3 million ($1,016,129 paid by Dodgers)
Game of the year
Kopech had a particularly exciting save against the Cubs on September 11, one in which he wasn’t his sharpest, but was able to grind it out. Kopech walked the bases loaded as the Dodgers led the game 10-7, and after a sac fly and a caught stealing, he struck out former Dodger Michael Busch to end the game.
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/pZppESlha2
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 12, 2024
Roster status
Kopech has five years, 41 days of major league service time, and is eligible for salary arbitration this offseason. He’ll be a free agent after the 2025 season.