Former Dodger Michael Kopech Linked to NL West Rival
Former Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech is still a free agent, and has been linked to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kopech pitched for the Dodgers in 2024 and 2025 after coming from the Chicago White Sox via trade, and Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer believes he’s a perfect fit to stay in the NL West.
Jun 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech (45) delivers to the plate in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Why Would Michael Kopech Work for the Diamondbacks? The Diamondbacks have struggled for strikeouts so far in relief, and Kopech would be a solid option for the out of the pen.
Kopech had a healthy regular season in 2024, and had an incredible 31. 5% strikeout rate during that time. He played in 67 games and posted a 3.
46 ERA with 15 saves. “If the D-backs are to have any hope of taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, they need to do something about their bullpen,” Rymer wrote. “The closer’s role is no place for Paul Sewald at this stage, and all the team’s relievers have fanned only 30 of the 161 batters they have faced so far.
A situation like that is crying out for Kopech’s upside. ” Rymer also considers Kopech as a low-risk, high-reward type of player at the moment, also naming teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox as landing spots. “Despite some bright spots here and there, Michael Kopech’s career has yet to fully launch,” Rymer wrote.