So Much to be Determined…

Posted By on February 13, 2020

I do not remember in my lifetime a Dodger team being this good. I do not remember in my lifetime a Dodger team with so much potential. I do not remember a Dodger team so deep. I do not remember a Dodger farm system so talented.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: David Price #33 and Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers answer questions from the media during an introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium on February 12, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

I also do not remember a team that has so many roster spots to be determined. Let me elaborate. With the additions of David Price, Mookie Betts, and Brudsar Graterol, the deepest team in MLB just got deeper. Here are the roster locks… barring injury, suspension, or trade:

  1. Price
  2. Betts
  3. Smith
  4. Muncy
  5. Lux
  6. Seager
  7. Turner
  8. Pederson
  9. Pollock
  10. Bellinger
  11. Betts
  12. Hernandez
  13. Taylor
  14. Treinen
  15. Baez
  16. Jansen
  17. Buehler
  18. Kershaw
  19. Wood
  20. Urias
  21. Stripling
  22. Kelly

All 22 of those players will most likely be on the Opening Day Roster… again… barring trade or injury, so there are only 4 spots up for grabs, but look at how many possibilities there are for those last 4 spots:

  1. Alexander
  2. Ferguson
  3. Floro
  4. Gonsolin
  5. Gonzalez
  6. Graterol
  7. Kolarek
  8. May
  9. Nelson
  10. Santana
  11. Sborz
  12. White
  13. Barnes
  14. Ruiz
  15. Beaty
  16. McKinstry
  17. Rios
  18. Raley
  19. Peters
  20. de Gues
  21. Gray

Twenty-one (21) players have a shot at those four (maybe more with injury or trade). Some are really long shots (Gray, de Geus, Sborz, White, Santana, Ruiz), while others are possible if their competition tanks and they rule in Spring Training. Most won’t make the Opening Day roster but could get called up later in the season. We shall enjoy the show.

I mean, it’s like MLB.Radio always says: “The Dodgers are so deep they can field two teams.” This is going to be some kind of fun year! I stay away from statistical predictions, but with the additions of Mark Prior, Josh Bard, Rob Hill, and Driveline Baseball, I this we could see some amazing things from some of the Dodger pitchers, like Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, Alex Wood, Jimmy Nelson, Blake Treinen, and all the rest.

Not all of them will respond positively in a great way… but I’ll bet some do!

Dodger News

  • Pitchers and catchers report today. I’m in Phoenix and have such a tight schedule that I can’t even stop by Camelback Ranch. It’s been 5 years since I have been to Spring Training, but I’ll be here for a week next Spring.

Today’s Music

This article has 64 Comments

  2. I like Betts a lot, and he is a special player, but I agree with Voldomer that Betts isn’t THAT GOOD where he can take up two roster spots. I also agree with Voldomer that Austin Barnes has to be on the lock list. The team needs two catchers, and Ruiz has options and Barnes does not, so that is about as much of a lock as you can have.

    Since Nelson signed a MLB contract, and with no options, he is also a lock to make the 26 man.

    So that is three open spots.

    On your locks, I will go with Buehler, Kershaw, Price, Urias, and Wood as the 5 starting pitchers going into ST. KJ, Treinen, Kelly, Baez, Strip, Nelson are 6 of the expected 8 relievers and all are RHP. LHRP options include, Alexander, Ferguson, Gonzalez, and Kolarek. IMO, Victor Gonzalez will be in OKC and might assume a starting role to stretch out for a possible LH swing man role. The Dodgers are enamored with Kolarek, but the 3 batter rule will have to be strongly considered. Kolarek will undoubtedly be called to face ML RHH in ST to determine if Doc will feel comfortable with Kolarek on the 26 man. I am going with Alexander and Ferguson as my two LHRP for the total of 8.

    That leaves one bench player, and unless anyone can convince me that anyone else is more deserving, I am going with Matt Beaty.

    Starting Pitching:
    Kershaw (L)
    Buehler (R)
    Price (L)
    Urias (L)
    Wood (L)

    Relief Pitching:
    Alexander(L)
    Ferguson (L)
    Treinen (R)
    Baez (R)
    Strip (R)
    Kelly (R)
    Nelson (R)
    KJ (R)

    Starting Eight:
    Smith (R)
    Muncy (L)
    Lux (L)
    Seager (L)
    JT (R)
    Joc (L)
    Belli (L)
    Betts (R)

    Bench:
    Barnes – C (R)
    Pollock – LF (R)
    CT3 – INF/OF (R)
    Kike’ – INF/OF (R)
    Beaty – LF/3B/1B (L)

    One question that will be looked at closely; will Dustin May show enough that he should start at the MLB level in the rotation with Urias or Wood going to the pen, and either Alexander or Ferguson going to OKC. I believe that may be a May/June decision, but not coming out of ST. Also, will Jimmy Nelson show enough to break into the rotation as another RH option, again moving Urias or Wood to the pen?

    Unless there are trades or injuries, I am going with the 26 I have above. At least until the next time I look at this.

    1. Great breakdown by AC on the projected roster. The only adjustment I would make is Kolarek for Ferguson, mostly because Caleb may start in minors, and Kolarek may be out of options. If AC is correct, the AAA pitching roster will be loaded with May, Gonsolin, Graterol, White, and maybe Gray.

  4. I attended my first ST last year for a week. It was fun. I got close to the hitting cages unknowingly, which is a restricted area . My wife and I were there quite some time before a security guard came and got us. He was nice.

    There were about 10 catchers who worked 2 hours on framing a pitch. I was amazed that is was for 2 hours.

  5. Great read Markie Mark. This line up is to me the deepest, I’m feeling this team and a world series

  6. I’m gonna stay on the Matt Beaty bandwagon. I truly believe his time is now. If you look at his minor stats and the fact that he’s hit everywhere he’s played. All I can say, I believe he’s another Max Muncy. Unless somehow he’s regressed. If Joc gets traded still, Matt should play left. I’m surprised other teams haven’t recognized Beaty and tried to get him ??? Maybe they have.
    I also expect a big year from Seager. A big year from Urias. And Treinan will be our closer by July. I think LA will win it all this year and Betts will get 10 years with a 32 million average $$. I look for May and Gonsolin to be lights out after August 1st. May starting and Tony setup reliever. One more thought.. we’ll have five 30 homer guys , Smith, Muncy, Seager, Betts and Cody.. and three more over 20, Turner, Lux and Beaty….

  7. Great lineup and depth with all healthy. If I had to nitpick a weakness I would say lefty in pen and a number 2 starter. Both may be there but I would say those are our soft spots that bear evaluating. Guaterol could turn into a great pickup.

  8. I don’t see Alexander on the 26 man roster coming out of ST. He had arm surgery (I think for a circulation problem related to his diabetes last year) so I think he’ll start the season on an extended ST assignment and I think Kolarek makes the squad.

    If I understand the new RP rule a RP must pitch to a minimum of at least three hitters or pitch the last out in an inning without having to face three hitters. I can see Kolarek still being used as a LOOGY and come into an inning after Kelly has got two quick outs and then promptly walks the next two hitters. Kolarek can be called upon to get the last out against a tough hitting left-handed hitter and thereby not have to face three hitters and I think that type of situation will certainly play out many times this season.

    He’ll certainly have an occasion where he will have to face RH hitters, but I think he offers more value in the pen than Alexander. We shall see.

    1. The problem with the last out of the inning is what if Kolarek does not get that third out and he then has to face up to two RH batters? I agree that Kolarek is going to get every opportunity to face quality RH bats in ST to see if he can hold up. But if he is a true loogy, it is going to be hard to hold a spot on the roster for a pitcher to just pitch for the 3rd out and hope he gets it.

      You may be correct on Alexander. I have not read anything that indicates whether he is ready for ST or not, which means that Caleb Ferguson becomes an even better option. And Victor Gonzalez now becomes relevant. Reymin Guduan will also get a good look. Besides Guduan, the only other LHP in AAA is Kyle Lobstein. There are 4 AA LHP; Michael Boyle, Leo Crawford, Ben Holmes, Logan Salow. Salow has to be considered to move quicker due to the relative dearth of LHRP in the upper levels of the organization.

  9. Gonna be interesting what we get from Wood, Nelson and Treinen. Need to hit some AF magiccfrom at least one of these guys!

  12. Incredible talent, great depth. On paper it looks amazing, but I still think left field is a problem. Joc is in his free agent year and wants to play full-time. Pollock wasn’t brought in to be a role or platoon player. I don’t think you can manage that situation, especially with players like Hernandez and Taylor needing at bats. For every at bat Joc loses, it will cost him dollars in free agency.

    Alex Wood will be one of the starters, which is why he signed with the Dodgers. Jimmy Nelson will be on the team, probably in a relief/starter role, similar to what Ross Stripling has done.

    If Brusdar Graterol pitches well in spring training, he should make the roster. At the same time if Adam Kolarek can’t get out righties in Arizona, his chances go way down.

    From everything Andrew Friedman has said and now Stan Kasten has chimed in, it certainly sounds like the Dodgers will go all in to sign Mookie. They’re making that pretty clear.

    It would make sense to trade an outfielder this spring, but I actually hope they hang on to Stripling. We’ll see.

    Going to be a fun spring. Looking forward to the Glendale trip.

    1. The Dodgers signed Pollock to play CF and that is still where he wants to play. With his history of not being able to say he will stay on the field and with his woeful playoff series, he needs to suck it up.

  13. While I agree with AC’s rotation the thing that might let someone else break into it is that 4 of 5 are lefties.

    Starting Pitching:
    Kershaw (L)
    Buehler (R)
    Price (L)
    Urias (L)
    Wood (L)

    1. That’s my issue with that suggested rotation. Actually a 2nd RHP would be best for match up considerations.

  15. Jim “Craven” Crane refused to take any responsibility for the sign stealing scandal. In effect, he’s telling all current and future employees, “I ain’t got your back! Under the bus with you bums! “

  16. Exactly what does suck it up mean?

    Pollock had a very good second half. Joc had a very good season against right hand pitching. If Pollock starts hot and that could easily happen, where does that leave Joc? Maybe, it goes the other way and Joc starts hot. But something has to give. There is no suck it up in this situation. Both players have earned a right to start. Joc has clearly made it known he wants a real chance to hit lefties. Yes Pollock may prefer center, but he wants to start and left field is okay. They brought him into start.

    The Dodgers, of course, recognize this, which is the reason they were going to trade Joc to the Angels. Unless something changes, there is going to be an uneasy undercurrent in the Club House.

    I seriously doubt Dave Roberts wants to spend another season with meetings over playing time. That means a trade some time this spring. This isn’t like a case of a borderline starter moving to the bullpen.

    There is no way to tap dance around this.

    1. Suck it up means to accept the role your Manager gives you because while you have the talent to be a full time regular you haven’t shown you can perform in the playoffs on the big stage or stay on the field.

      In Joc’s case he has been a Dodger for 5 years and he has helped the Dodgers get to and compete in the playoffs. He has more Dodger fans than Pollock. And while he doesn’t play CF as well as Pollock that no longer matters since neither will play there.

    2. AJ had a decent second half in meaningless games with the Dodgers running away with the division. A couple of cheap HR’s in Boston were his most meaningful hits all year then a complete choke job in the postseason. His defense was terrible and his arm subpar. He looks like a player that’s aging rapidly. If his new offseason program was successful then he shouldn’t have a problem with an open competition for LF. As far as CF goes that ship has sailed other than giving Belli a day off. I’m with Bum, suck it up collect your paycheck, and be ready when your number is called.

  17. I agree with 99% of AC’s suggested roster, the only exception for me might be hoping Alexander can be successful this season. Otherwise, was wondering about May? Well, as long as Ferguson and Beaty make it, I am good with it.

    I have a long list, thanks to all you posters on minor league players, to keep an eye on and root for this year. Some of them are: (in no particular order), Josiah Gray, Brett de Geus, Ryan Pepiot, Logan Boyer, Ryan Moseley, Jack Little, Braidlyn Fink, Michael Grove, Marshall Kasowski, Zack McAllister, and Nick Robertson. Hope I did not forget to mention anyone. Wonder if there is a minor league website I could go to to read about how they are all doing.

  18. May and Gonsolin will get plenty of opportunity with Urias and Wood and Price on the IR with all their hang nail issues this year

  19. Ah, so it’s about what fans think. Got it. You’re assuming Joc will get the majority of at bats. So, obviously Friedman and Company weren’t thinking about what the fans wanted when they tried to trade Joc. Oh well. Maybe they were trying to trade him to avoid all this. Team chemistry and all.

    1. I think he was first and foremost trying to trade joc to reduce payroll. I think him and Pollock make a good lf combo. It will be moot anyway because Pollock will be hurt and then it will be joc and taylor/kike. Pollock should have been traded but nobody wants him. If they end up trading joc then I would start Taylor but they wont. If they trade Joc maybe it could be to Cleveland for Hand. the Dodgers would have to add but that might be the next target.

    2. I think several considerations were made with the Joc trade.
      1. It set up a regular lineup where there would always be 4 righty and 4 lefty hitters.
      2. It helped get the Dodgers under the CBT.
      3. It gave Pederson and Stripling their best chance to be regular starters and help their careers.
      4. It gave them a young utility infielder with a big upside and more flexibility in the near future to deal Hernandez and Taylor.
      5. It fit with the original trade with Boston but once downs and Wong were included in that trade Friedman lost too many chess pieces that he wanted for future moves and the Joc Stripling Pages trade had too many players in it.
      6. Joc might hit 40+ home runs for the next 5 years in a row, Pages might hit 40 soon enough and Stripling might play a key role among a pitching staff that has health questions.

  20. Does anyone know if Joc is in camp yet? Position players aren’t officially due until Monday but it seems as though lots of the guys are there already.
    If Joc isn’t there, that might indicate either hard feelings or that AF has told him he may be traded shortly.
    If he is there, maybe AF managed to mend fences with him, at least for the time being.

    1. Joc, Cory, and Strip shared a house for a couple of years not that long ago and no doubt are close. Cory knows that Friedman tried to trade him to get Lindor and Joc and Strip came even closer to being traded. The three of them will have that to buddy up to.

      1. Pedro Moura is reporting that Joc is in camp. That’s good.
        He’s not taking any questions today. That’s bad.

      2. How do we know that Friedman tried to trade Seager to Cleveland for Lindor? Never made sense. I think it was just a rumor or speculation. For the time being, Roberts is now saying Joc and AJ will share left field.

  21. Funny, I almost posted last night how few spots are available. I think the 13 position players are a lock. I agree with AC’s group. Hitman Beaty shouldn’t go back down unless they want to keep getting him consistent AB’s. They acquisition of Raley was confusing to me.
    ~
    I also agree with AC’s pitchers. Buehler, Kershaw, Price, and Urias are locks for the rotation. I believe Wood was promised a starting spot so they will have the allusion of an open competition with May, Gonsolin, Stripling and Nelson. Barring a disastrous spring or injury Wood will round out the rotation for awhile. The Dodgers know how many innings they want May and Gonsolin to throw this year. Urias too for that matter. Wood essentially becomes Maeda. When they’re ready to take the reigns off May or Gonsolin, Wood will probably go the pen unless he regains his All-Star form.
    ~
    I tend to agree with AC’s pen but I do think the Dodgers like Kolarek a lot. So I see two battles Kolarek vs Ferguson vs Alexander for two spots and Nelson vs Gonsolin vs Graderol for the last spot. Although I think they prefer to have Gonsolin starting at the beginning of the year in AAA

  22. No doubt there will be injuries and the like before the end of spring training, but it is my opinion that both Gonsolin and May start at OKC or extended spring training in order to get their work in.

    The 5th spot in the rotation will be a battle between Wood and Nelson. It’s possible that they may also start with a quasi 6 man rotation, depending on the off days at the beginning of the season. I would not be surprised to see the Dodgers take a mix and match approach with Nelson, Wood and maybe even Urias.

    1. I think you may be right about the early rotation. A quick look at the schedule- looks like there are only 3 days off in the first month of the season. Whether it is 6 starters or piggybacking remains to be seen.

      I would lean toward piggybacking to save to BP. Early in the season and don’t expect some starters to go more than 3-4 innings initially. Piggyback Stripling and Nelson with two other starters that get a slow start.

      Off course the inevitable injuries will likely make the decision pretty obvious

  23. In light of Astros remaining clandestine to everything unproven I have mixed feelings as we all hate a rat and Justin Verlander ain’t one and he has no need to feel shame. Buck Weaver was no rat and the commission needs to make it right. If passes are allowed these days for the obviously guilty then recognize what has been wrongly done to the obviously innocent. What happened to Jim Thorpe was very wrong where ‘Dream-teams’ now represent the US in Olympics and him with Weaver it can never be made right. But the record can and should be. If one believes Jose Altuve wasn’t wearing a buzzer he also believes Bill Clinton did not have sexual relations with that woman. The Commission owes Buck Weaver…..BIG! Excuse me, it’s a dizzy day.

  24. I’m glad I didn’t have breakfast before watching the Asstros staged event this morning. What a lame attempt this was to spin the facts to avoid the inevitable backlash they are about to endure. From the owner who threw the “leaders” under the bus (but not himself) to all the players who were coached up to show remorse and contrition, referred to the investigation instead of answering direct questions, and saying they were ready to “move on”. The remorse seemed to stem from the fact they were caught and not the fact they cheated their asses off. For Crane to state that hitters knowing what was coming had no impact on the outcome of games was the topper. Altuve, who I used to like, was the master of the undenial, denial over the buzzer question offering only the fact that MLB found nothing. The more I watch the video of Altuve approaching home plate after sitting on a 2 & 1 SLIDER from Chapman while gesturing and holding his jersey so it wasn’t torn off and then jetting to the clubhouse, the more I’m convinced he was “bugged”. MLB granted immunity to all the players to get to the bottom of this story and not open a lengthy and complicated can of worms to decide individual guilt. I wonder if this immunity agreement could be reneged if most evidence comes out about the use of buzzers?
    The company line of “we are all sorry, wish it hadn’t’t happened, I wish I had done more and now we just want to move on” was so orchestrated and lame. Claiming this was a “bad decision”, collectively made by an entire team, isn’t good enough. Eating the sushi from a gas station store is a bad decision. Using electronics to cheat and changing the outcome games is criminal. This is way beyond a bad decision and for the life of me I can’t understand how pitchers, particularly, in the dugout could have sat back and let this happen wondering if they could be victims of similar schemes in other stadiums. With the exception of Friers, it’s amazing that the philosophy of “if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying” stood pat with the Asstros until this morning when it suddenly became wrong.

    1. I thought it was a riot that all of them have a lot of “remorse”.
      What are the odds that any player on the Astros ever, even once, used the word “remorse” before the scandal broke.
      Oh wait a minute, here’s a quote from Bregman after striking out with the bases loaded to end a game:
      “I should have never swung at that last pitch. I have a lot of remorse that I didn’t knock in those runs”.
      Or Altuve: “I have a lot of remorse that my error cost us the game”.

    2. I really liked Altuve as well. And I was in the camp that would have like to have seen George Springer sign with the Dodgers. I always liked his game and his energy. Obviously, I no longer fall in that camp (does anybody?).

      I wonder how this will effect a player like Springer. He was due to get a significant deal after this season. I’m wondering if his history will have any impact on his perceived value both from a standpoint of Astros extending him or from other teams as a FA.

        2. I would think that as well. However, many players who were not just implicated but suspended for PED use did not have much of an issue signing with new teams. Even our former Yasmani Grandal was suspended for PED use with the Padres. That didn’t appear to have any impact on how teams viewed him as a player or free agent.

          I’m curious if it will be the same with the Astros gang.

          2. Eventually more and more players will throw their former teammantes under the bus. It will be interesting when the Asterisks lose more players to free-agency.

  25. I don’t know if anyone read my comments yesterday – but said much the same as Phil above.
    This wasn’t bending the rules, this was Organisational cheating. How no one said NO out of all those Professionals is incredible. It’s no good being sorry now, it’s way too late for that. They’re not 8 year olds, and made an error of judgement. They made a decision to cheat, got caught and now they’re sorry. It was ALWAYS gonna come out.

    It’s terrible that the players have been able to walk away from this with no sanctions. This sets a terrible precedent.

  26. On a different note – some of you have referred to Joc’s interview skills.
    I don’t normally see them because MLB.com always cuts off immediately after the game.

    What’s the problem?

    He seems like a real goof guy?

    2. Joc always seems incredibly uncomfortable when being interviewed. He tends to mumble and answer every question the same way. I’m guessing he communicates with his teammates just fine, but he just seems to hate microphones.

  28. Anyone here have any of those LED candles that can be remote controlled? They come in various sizes. It’s amazing what can be controlled nowadays remotely.

    Anyhow, about those buzzer allegations…buzzers make a noise that a catcher and umpire could hear, and the immediate proximity (unlike a banging trash can) could be too obvious. So maybe Altuve is technically telling the truth. Maybe he didn’t strap on something that buzzes but instead, something that vibrates. They, too, come in all sizes. Some are rather quiet I am told. You know, the kind that one’s wife would feel shame over if her husband’s shirt were ripped off. 🙂

    1. My thoughts exactly. They were being technically accurate by saying they didn’t use a buzzer, because they’ve decided to call it by some other name.

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