There is still a lot of chatter that the Dodgers want Nolan Arenado, Francisco Lindor, or Trevor Bauer. I am of the opinion that at the start of the 2021 season, none of those players will be with the Dodgers.
If the Dodgers were to trade for Lindor or Arenado, they would have to trade some pretty good prospects (actually… really, really good prospects) in order to get either one. Then, they would be on the hook for $199 million more with Arenado, or facing paying Lindor $300+ Million for 10 years.
Francisco Lindor
I am going to suggest if you think Andrew Friedman will trade the requisite prospects NOW for Lindor, that you are not really paying attention. In Lindor’s case, he will be a free agent in a year. The Dodgers currently have a shortstop, who is pretty good, so if the Dodgers really want Lindor and are prepared to pay him big dollars to sign, why gut the farm to do it? Just wait a year and sign him as a free agent.
You might say, “But that’s what they did with Mookie Betts.” That IS what they did with Betts, but that was a “one off.” A “one off” is something that is done, made, or happening only once, not as part of a regular sequence. Friedman realized he was missing a piece to a championship team and identified Mookie Betts as that piece. It was a bold move yo give up Alex Verdugo, who is a very good plyer in his own right, but the Dodgers needed a star who was a leader.
Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager and Will Smith are good to great players, but not “vocal leaders.” Justin Turner and Clayton Kershaw are leaders but in a different way. The Dodgers are now “Mookie’s team.” They needed “that guy.” They don’t need another “that guy” and make no mistake about it, Lindor is “that guy.” I am sure they could co-exist on a team, but sometimes a pack can only have one “alpha dog.”
The Dodgers are currently the “odds on favorites” to win the 2021 World Series. Andrew Friedman is intent on building a “sustainable model” team that can win year-in-and-year out. To trade for Lindor now would limit that sustainability. The Dodgers player development is exceptional and we hear good reports about Busch, Hoese, Lux, Ruiz, Gray, and Rios. If the Dodger want to keep Corey Seager (and I believe they do), he will have to get a contract worth $25 to $30 Million a year. The same is true with Bellinger and Buehler.
If Clayton wants to continue his career, then the Dodgers will have to pony up $20 plus Million for him and Urias will have to be paid as well. By 2023, the Dodgers could likely have $100+ million tied up in three players (Betts, Seager, and Bellinger). Lindor had a bad year in 2020, but if he bounces back and has an All-Star season in 2021, he will get that $350 million deal. I see Seager and Bellinger being a notch below that. Could the Dodgers make financial room for Lindor? Yes, but I do not see them trading for him this year. If they get him, it will be as a free agent… and that is a year away. Forbes has a great article on the Indians trading Lindor.
Trevor Bauer
Trevor Bauer is another story. He won the Cy Young Award in 2020 with a 1.73 ERA and an otherworldly 0.795 WHIP. However in 2019, his ERA was 4.48! In 2018, he had a nice season with a 2.21 ERA, but in his previous six seasons prior to 2018, the ERA’s he put up were in the 4.00’s, 5.00’s and 6.00’s! Has he just “suddenly figured it out?” He’s a Driveline Believer and maybe he has just figured it out, but you have to at least have some trepidation that he could be due for another “so-so” season.
Bauer has said that he wants to play on one year deals, but money talks and someone will give him a multi-year deal… and he will take it! It won’t be the Dodgers. Trevor Bauer also say that he’s only good at two things: “throwing baseballs and pissing people off.” He said that himself in an article in Sports Illustrated. The story also goes into detail about his unconventional training methods, which include pumping electricity into his brain.
Bauer also has the reputation as a “poor teammate” and while some love him, others hate him! He would be a huge risk I would be unwilling to take in what is one of the best clubhouses in baseball. I do not think Trevor Bauer will ever be a Dodger.
Nolan Arenado
If the Rockies trade Nolan, there will be few teams in on it. Not many teams can afford to pay him. The Dodgers could afford to pay him… and forget about the Rockies chipping in some money. That’s ain’t happening! If Arenado opts out of his contract after next season, the Rockies will only get a draft pick, so the Rockies may be inclined to trade him IF they can do better than get a draft pick.
I am not convinced that Arenado will him in LA like he has in Colorado. In fact, he won’t – the only question is “How far will he drop off?” The only way I see this happening is that the Rookies would agree to take Gavin Lux, Mitch White and Edwin Rios for Nolan. Nolan would still be a Gold Glove Third-Baseman, but he’s not the #3 hitter the Dodgers need. At best, he’s a #5 hitter in LA… and I am not even convinced of that.
Can Cody Bellinger be that #3 hitter? Maybe, but that would leave three LH hitters in a row with Seager, Bellinger and Muncy at #2, #3 and #4. Kris Bryant would be a better #3 hitter and would cost less than Arenado. To me, it makes more sense to re-sign Justin Turner and trade Gavin Lux for one year of Kris Bryant. Lux would be an hour away from his Kenosha, Wisconsin home, and might be more relaxed.
I am not down on Lux, but Bryant is former MVP playing for a new contract after a down year. I could see him putting up monster numbers! JT and Rios could platoon at 3B and if the DH is back then both could play. The Dodgers would have a more devastating lineup with Turner, Rios, and Bryant than with Arenado. If the DH is back, look at this lineup:
- Betts RF (R)
- Seager SS (L)
- Bryant LF (R)
- Muncy 1B (L)
- Turner DH (R)
- Bellinger CF (L)
- Smith C (R)
- Rios 3B (L)
- Taylor 2B (R)
That is a very balanced, powerful lineup! No matter how bad fans want Arenado, Andrew Friedman is going to do what is best for the team. Stay tuned… in about a week, the stove will heat up… Bauer, Arenado and Lindor do not add up, but 5 out of 4 people struggle with math!
Good News
Tommy Lasorda is improving and is off the ventilator. It turns out that the Big Dodger in the Sky wasn’t ready for him and the Devil was afraid he would take over! Get Well Tommy!
It’s hard to argue with your logic, Mark. So I won’t!
Getting back to Lux for a moment, how do you go from “can’t miss” to “trade bait” in less than one year? Is this a head-thing? Will he get it straightened out and come roaring back? He wasn’t the number one prospect for nothing. I know that some players have a hard time transitioning to the bigs, but still, I don’t think we have a large enough sample size yet to see what Lux can really do. Given that Kike may be gone, and in another year, CT3, too, isn’t it worth trying to fix whatever is ailing him? If Spring Training starts on time next year, it would give him enough time for a reset. Given that the Dodgers are second-to-none in player development, I wouldn’t discount the possibility that he will yet become our starting 2B in 2021.
Agree with you regarding Lux. Scouts were saying he was going to be a monster. So Unless there is something we’re not aware wrt Lux, can’t see how he’s not on the team in 2021.
I agree that they are still high on Lux. I think his throwing problems aren’t as much of a problem as people make them out to be. I think he just needs more time at 2B and a little less pressure. But, Michael Busch may make him a little more expendable since they both hit left handed, play second base and are pretty much the same age. Lux has more tools, but Busch’s bat is rising fast. I would expect one of them to be traded for a right handed bat because there’s little need to keep both of them.
Very good reasoning and I agree that peo need to see how AF plans to build a sustainable winner. With that said I believe you can not sign all the good players you bring up once they hit free agency. You have to have new players to bring up to replace them, just not too many at once.
So I believe that Bellinger needs to show if he is a professional hitter or a masher lest he be the one they do retain.
Hell, they could trade for 1 year of Bryant and then sign Arenado in free agency. I took a quick look at Arenado’s career splits and low and behold, he has more at bats as a number 3 hitter than any other spot in the lineup. He’s a number 3 hitter Mark. I know you’ll say “Coors Field” and my response is DJLM. Then, you’ll say Vinny Castilla and I’ll retort Matt Holliday. As far as the Alpha Dog argument, I’ll just point to Jeter and A-Rod.
All I know is that we have a hole to fill and if we want to keep up with the Braves, we can’t afford to not to plug it. If the Dodgers want to be a dynasty, they will open the checkbook, dust off a few prospects and get the job done on a dude that can fill the hole that JT leaves us.
The Dodgers got a gift last season. When Price opted out and when they traded Stripling, they dodged the CBT that they were going to get hit with if COVID didn’t happen. I’m wondering how many teams with money to spend and are in the position to compete are in need of a 3rd baseman.
Wouldn’t it be something if the Rockies would get it done for a pitching heavy package centered around Gray and White? That would mean that the Puig trade wound up netting us Betts and Arenado. That would be pure genius!
I can understand why it is necessary to create rumors, this part of the season is very boring, there is no real news, there is not much movement, I also understand why every supposed trade is with the Dodgers, they are the best team.
But realistically, I don’t see any of that as a possible reality, so Arenado, Lindor, Bauer, Bryant, etc. will have to wait at least a year for a chance to belong to the Dodgers.
What I think might be a more ” real ” reality would be signing Turner for a year with a second year option, signing Hendricks, Treinen and maybe some right-hander bat for the bench, and that’s all, don’t expect a great sign, a great move, or will be disappointed ….
This season they did not make a trade and they were champions.
You don’t need to make any changes, all you have to do is replace those who will leave, and the players needed already belong to the organization.
Bauer is a free agent so they wouldn’t have to trade for him.
They did make a trade to become champs, that was Mookie.
Yes, JT might come back. But, he also might leave. Then what? Our every day lineup features 5 lefties and 3 righties. Two of the righties don’t play full time in Pollock and Smith since he’s a catcher. Mookie is really the only right handed hitter that you can honestly call full time. Bench is pretty much the same. Taylor and Barnes are the only right handed hitters. It gets worse when you look at the 40 man. DJ Peters is the only notable right handed bat on the 40 and he is a strikeout machine. Recks and Raley are the better hitting outfielders and both are left handed as is McKinstry.
The players we need are definitely not already in the organization.
We need a RH every day bat, and a RH bat for the bench at the very least. Not to mention a couple of relievers. One that can save games – Kenley insurance and possibly a lefty since Alexander, Kolarek and Gonzalez are the only lefty relief pitchers on the 40.
Exactly!
Unless AF has totally given up on Lux, there is no way he trades him for one year of Bryant, who also had a miserable year in 2020.
I say sign JT for two more years and get two very good bullpen pieces (either through free agency or trade). Then let 2021 play out and see if Lux produces, how the third base situation plays out, and what kind of year Pollock has.
In winter 2021 you roll up your sleeves and decide who you want to go shopping for:
Lindor, Story, Baez, Bryant, Arenado will probably all be available.
It’s exactly what I wanted to say, I just couldn’t find the right words!!
I am not sure how it is more balanced. All that is done is that you replaced one RH batter (AJ Pollock) with another (Kris Bryant. But you did trade the former MiLB player (one year removed) for one year of Kris Bryant. That is not an AF move either.
Turner, Hand, Treinen and Yates and the off season is over and maybe a right handed bat for the bench
What about signing a quality SP and reserving Urias for a multi-inning relief role?
The Lindor rumors persist but why? Mb seager has indicated he is not returning or that he will cost more than Lindor. Why not just wait until he is a free agent? You will still have to give up a prospect but not multiple.
I think AF will bite the bullet and sign turner while playing lux until at least the trade deadline. We can get into the playoffs with turner playing part-time but turner can still be a game changer in the playoffs we will miss the playoff bat of Joc and kike. Mb AF will go after the posted guy to give depth at multiple positions and replace kike.
With a new agreement with players/ownership in the near future the salary cap may raise giving new flexibility. If the dh is added it is a must because that will raise payroll. AF will tinker looking for a “deal” but absent that he will be there to raise the price of doing business for others. In this financial environment he could make a deal. Snell anyone? Great contract and would cost Ruiz, gonsolin and what? Hand?
The Dodgers have Kershaw, Price, Bueller, Urias and May for their rotation. How would Snell improve this rotation? Hendricks, Yates, Hand, Osuna, Colome and Treinen are all closers or former closers. How does it makes sense to trade for Snell just to push Urias into the pen when there’s a glut of quality free agent relievers available and a glut of quality starters already in the rotation? Not to mention, it would cost more in prospects to trade for Snell on a team friendly contract than it would to trade for a 3rd baseman which they actually need.
Ha-Seong Kim is interesting, but he’s hardly a sure thing to replace Turner at 3B. Can anyone name a Korean League player that came to the MLB and put up numbers close to JT’s? I didn’t think so.
Since this is the time of the year that I spend wildly on free agents and trades. I would love to see the Dodgers post and sign Kim as a second baseman and trade for Arenado or Bryant then sign Hand and Hendricks. As Blondie said “Dreaming is free”.
Mookie RF – R
Seager SS – L
Bryant / Arenado 3B – R
Bellinger CF – L
Pollock LF – R
Muncy 1B – L
Smith C – R
Kim / Lux 2B – R/L
Repeat / Threepeat / 4peat?
Excellent article by Mark.
And solid comments from Therealten and Bulldogs.
I still expect modest moves by AF including resigning Turner, adding to bullpen and looking for value in a RH bat. I do not expect AF to give up significant prospects for one year of Lindor, Arenado, or Bryant and then have to give them a huge contract. Try to extend Seager, and if Boras does not cooperate then all those big names and more will be available next year.
In terms of Kim from the KBO, he is highly rated, but it is difficult to transition from KBO to MLB. I just saw an article on the expected MVP of the KBO this year, Melvin Rojas. His slash line was .349/.417/.680 with 47 Hrs and 135 RBIs. He has had 4 years in KBO with great numbers. But prior to joining KBO, he played 8 seasons in the minor leagues in USA with batting average of .258 and a total of 46 HRs in 8 years. Of course, Rojas has become a better player, but he provides a glimpse into the difference between MLB and KBO. This doesn’t mean he can’t be a star if he returns to MLB, or that Kim won’t be a great MLB player, but there is a big difference between KBO and MLB. Here is MLBTR article on Rojas. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
I would rather stick with Lux and let him mature, before giving up on him and signing Kim.
How would Snell improve our rotation?
. . .
Let’s see, he wasn’t better than Urias in the post-season. He wasn’t better than May during the regular season. He certainly isn’t better than Bueller. Price and Kershaw have half a dozen years of better seasons than most of Snell’s seasons. Who is he clearly better than in your opinion? If you were to take out the only season that he was really good, he looks a lot like David Price’s injury riddled seasons.
The Phillies just reduced their personnel by laying off 80 employees by (wait for it, wait for it) sending them an email the day before Thanksgiving. While the cuts and buyouts were both front office and baseball positions, the cuts effectively cut the front office by 20%. Now that is a team that will make a FA stand in line to want to play for. Of course that John Middleton “stupid money” has to come from someone. Why not the bookkeepers? Of course Middleton will someway somehow find the cash for JT Realmuto. Or maybe, Bryce Harper and Zach Wheeler (and JTR if he re-signs) can pony up $8MM to $10MM for next year for a fund for the laid off employees. There are a number of Philadelphia CPAs who can help them file a 501 (c) (3) to allow them to qualify for charitable contribution write offs.
I guess twitter firings are so yesterday and email is now in. Hard to keep up with what’s in and what’s out except that IN-N-OUT BURGER will always be in.
All teams re-set their payroll penalty last year due to the 60 game schedule. Now free agent signings will be like buying a stock. There will be risk and teams will have to correctly predict when and how many fans will be attending games. Eventually fans will be back but if vaccinations protect players then a 162 game schedule might happen but revenue won’t necessarily be there for all 162 games as attendance might have to gradually ramp up.
If players will want to be played their full salary for every game they play and owners will want to pay a percent of the salary based on attendance. Hell, they might not agree and we won’t have baseball. Free agent contracts might have language that addresses attendance.
“All teams re-set their payroll penalty last year due to the 60 game schedule.” Not true. They don’t have to pay is different than resetting their penalty…
“Payrolls for 2020 won’t be finalized until December, but none of the 30 teams will pay a CBT penalty this year. The Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees, however, will qualify as CBT payers for determining draft pick compensation.”
Okay Mark, makes sense. A certain logic to it.
But I’m guessing Gavin Lux is still part of the picture. You already have Chris Taylor and AJ Pollock to play left. Might be a good idea to to see what Lux can do. The talent is certainly there and the price is right.
You could be right about Kris Bryant, a big season in 2021. It would be nice if they would make a decision on the DH in the NL. That might change the winter approach a great deal. I’m guessing it will.
I think we should upgrade Beaty.
Thank you for the article, Mark, and good morning everyone. Has anyone heard of who will take over the 1st base coaching job for the Dodgers?
They have not named a replacement yet. That is pretty low on the priority list. But it will be addressed before spring training. Most likely from within the organization.
I hope it’s Utley!
That would be cool, but being a coach in uniform requires travel. Not sure Chase is down with that. He likes being close to his family.
I somewhat agree with Cassidy in resigning Turner and adding a couple of high end relievers on one year deals. Another #3-5 starter would be nice. And to round things out maybe a RH bat (not Kris Byrant).
I think the $ figures that Mark mentioned for future FA seem high to me. With the affects of the pandemic on revenues this year and maybe next year along with a possible strike after the 2021 season there isn’t going to many teams capable or wanting to spend big on FA. There could too much uncertainty for teams to make those kind of financial commitments in the future. You have the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, and Giants with the means to make a large FA signing. Also, the Phils, Astros. and Nationals could jump into the FA pool. But, that’s about it. So, after the 2021 season you could have more FA looking for high dollar, long term contracts than there are teams capable or willing to spend. Thus, the market comes down. I think this will be especially true for starting pitching. If you are only allowed or capable of throwing 5-6 innings a start then you’re not getting paid $25M+ no matter how elite you might be. It’s not a good return of value for a team. We will see in the next couple of years.
But, for this year with the Dodgers let’s keep it simple and see how the world and labor situation looks after 2021.
I certainly haven’t given up on Lux. Earlier this year this is what was being said in fantasy
“Lux is coming off a dominant 2019 where he slashed .347/.421/.607 with 59 extra-base hits, 26 home runs, and 10 steals in 113 games between Double-A and Triple-A. For redraft leagues, I’d look to pick him up if he was dropped in your league, although, with only a month left in the season, that’s not a lot of time for Lux to gain momentum and showcase his tools. Longterm, this is a bonafide top-50 dynasty asset thanks to his plus (or better) hit tool, plus power, and above-average speed.”
He’s a 60 hit tool and 60 speed player that was MILB Player of the year in ‘19. And he was drafted as a SS, not a second baseman. You can bet other front offices would lean forward if we were serious about trading him. Frankly I doubt we are.
Layoffs huh. Gee, I wonder what teams might be thinking about baseball in 2 1/2 months? After Thanksgiving and Christmas travel is over, what can we expect in February?
Dodgers needed another righty bat last year and they already had Turner at third. They seem to want to add two righty bats for 2021 and Turner could be one of them. Pollock hit righties last year in regular season but sat against righties in post season.
Here are righty bats that Friednam could discuss:
Arenado–I don’t see him coming unless CO pays a chunk of his salary.
Torres—– Yankee blogs have suggested Yankees would consider trading him for pitching and have said Yankees need lefty hitters more than Dodgers need righty hitters.
Bryant—-If Dodgers don’t re-sign Turner then I think Bryant has the best chance of being a Dodger and that trade could include Darvish. Bryant could also fit at first base if Turner is signed and Muncy included in the trade with Cubs.
Lindor—He isn’t the stud righty bat but is a switch hitter that would improve fan enjoyment. Yes, Seager would have to move to third. So sad.
Springer–Holding our noses would not be enough for too many maybe but 4 years of Springer in CF and Bellinger at 1B would be the best X&O move.
No way on Springer
Mark, I’m afraid you’re in the 5 out of 4 people Club.
The Dodgers are no where near “Odds On Favourites to win the 21,World Series.” And I mean no where near.
They are the 5/1 favourites to win the WS. I have just checked and had my annual investment. If you invest 1$ you would win $5 should they prevail.
Odds On means you would have to invest $5 to win $1.
Odds On is any wager at Odds worse than evens.
Arenado is the best 3rd Baseman of this era and he wants to play for us.
He can leave Colorado for nothing after the next season if he desires. He holds all the cards because of his No Trade clause. If the Rockies want to avoid losing him for nothing, they will need to trade him, but he can veto a trade anywhere. Maybe I’m being stupid, but I think we can get him without giving up
anywhere near as much in Prospect cost as you guys are suggesting.
Take what we are offering (and get out from under this huge contract for the 21 season in this Covid world, where they have no chance of contending), or stick with him, pay him a lot for another season of diminished income, and let him walk and sign a reworked contract with the Dodgers next season?
He would undoubtedly make us better on both sides of the ball, and would tie down 3B for the next 6 years, as well as filling the void of a RH hitter in the middle of the lineup.
We wouldn’t have to pay JT (who I totally respect and have enjoyed watching) the estimated $10m suggested by AC, so there is a saving there.
I was delighted to hear AF talking about being “Pigs”, as this is exactly what I said after our WS win. You should always strengthen from a position of strength. Be greedy – if there’s half a chance to grab a a premium talent like Arenado for a favourable deal, then we should do it.
Bulldog has made his case for signing Arenado a number of times, and I totally agree. I suggested as much immediately after the WS, before all the rumours started circulating.
I read a lot about the need to keep some money for future salaries for our Free Agemts, but things happen unexpectedly in Baseball and when you get the chance to sign an All Star, you should do it. Turner, followed by Kershaw, Jansen and Kelly are all big salaries coming off the books soon.
This is our moment. We are the strongest team with great depth and a good balance between youth and experience. It’s now time to really exploit it, and have 2 or 3 years of domination.
Ps
Lux is a keeper – like Beuhler, I think he had mentally given up on this season, and was not in the right place in the extended ST. AF will give him every opportunity, and David Price will be like having a new player.
You are my kindred spirit, Watford.
For a Englishman he makes a lot of sense doesn’t he? Nice post Watford.
I am in the “Keep Lux At 2nd Base” Club.
I don’t see Bauer being a Dodger unless he signs a one year deal this off-season and doesn’t have QO penalty next year. LA rotation doesn’t project to needing a $40 million upgrade right now. A trade for Lindor would mean Seager moves to 3rd for 2021. Is he game for that? Defense would improve, but is Lindor over Turner/Rios in the lineup worth the prospect capital to trade for Franky? Given the downside of his contract with the opt out, I don’t see Arenado in LA unless he opts out and is signed after 2021 season.
I hope Lux can get 400+ at bats next season. He’ll have to earn starts at 2nd and would be 3rd in line for short after Seager and Taylor. Too much upside to not give him a chance next year. LA can have a monster lineup while giving him a chance to get acclimated. It could be a similar situation if they sign Ha-Seong Kim from South Korea. I think he’s the ideal target for 2021 and going forward. Hits right handed and can play 3B, SS and 2nd. LA has or will have questions at all of those positions now and next off season. If he signs for $8-10 million/ year, he’s a bargain if he’s only a 3 WAR player. if he falters with the bat, he’d still be very valuable as a super sub all around the infield. AF hunts for bargains much more frequently than Top Shelf shopping. Mookie was the exception, not the rule to this. As Mark said, Mookie is a leader on the field, in the clubhouse and in the community. So this was one spot where dealing young talent and signing a massive extension was warranted.
I’d bet Turner comes back. Some bullpen moves will happen. Maybe Hand, Treinen, Trevor May. The pen is where things could shake the most. Urias belongs in the rotation. If he’s amenable to pitching out of the pen in the playoffs, great. Pen still needs some work either way.
Kasten and ownership have preached developing star players FROM THE START. Hopefully this will include extension for Seager, Buehler, Urias and Bellinger. With Smith catching and Mookie in RF, those 6 can match up with any team in league, and the development pipeline has lots of guys to fill in around them.
What ain’t broke, doesn’t need to be fixed. The present system bore championship fruit this year. Friedman will still be looking for ways to improve for 2021 without knee capping the following seasons with too many monster contracts, or trading away all of the cheap reinforcements from the farm.
Bauer for one year would be awesome.
Trade price, Ruiz, and gonsolin for snell. Pay 1 year of the Price contract. Of course Snell would improve us. It should lower costs toward the cap and provide an ace if Kershaw does not re-sign. Not a necessary move but one to consider.
I did not expect Kim to necessarily be a starter but he could replace kike. I know mckinstry is a thought but he is a lefty. I don’t think lux is a quick starter. He needs regular playing time. Mb mlb will change cap for a season because of Covid and layoffs. Give teams a free year. Probably not cause that would cost mlb.
Colorado definitely should deal Arenado. I doubt to the Dodgers but mb Atlanta, Yankees, Mets?
Lots of great comments today. Mark sure stirred up the hornets nest. Look, I am not a financial genius and understanding the finances in baseball is well beyond my feeble attempts to do so. So let us look at a couple things that AF has said since the final out. One, he stated they wanted to be pigs. I take that in a different context when you add it with things he has said in the last few days. Just yesterday there was a report that the Dodgers were more interested in mid level relief pitchers than top of the line. Yesterday also was a report that AF had told all of his free agents, including JT, to explore what was available to them in free agency. To me, that sounds like a guy who is in no hurry to do anything. One thing I have learned since AF took over is that he is not impulsive. And the impulsive thing is to sign JT ASAP. I honestly believe it will be business as usual. He will stock up on good players who a low risk high reward. He will not trade for Lindor or Arenado simply because if he really wants them, they both will likely be free agents next season and he will know more of what Seager’s intentions are. Once he knows what Turner is going to want to do, then he can decide if he is going to do a trade for a one year replacement. And it certainly is not going to be someone who is going to cost them a bundle of his best prospects. The Cubs will weigh all the options for Bryant, and I think fans assume too much because if he is out on the market, the Dodgers are not going to be the only team interested. Someone mentioned keeping up with the Braves. Well, the Braves have a key free agent too. Ozuna, and most projections do not see him going back to Atlanta. If he does sign with the Atl, well good for them. So far they have been working on a weakness which was their starting staff. AF is working on the same weakness for the Dodgers which is the pen. There are plenty of RH bats who could be bench pieces and not cost a mint on the free agent list right now. And come Dec 2nd, there will be more. Another suggested they have Pollock and Taylor to platoon in left which makes zero sense since they both are RH bats. As for Lux, I do not think they have come close to giving up on him. I think he will be given every opportunity to WIN the job this spring. Because right now, it is not his job. Much like when JT first joined the Dodgers, Lux will have to prove he is in the mix. If he does not win the job, then he is in the mix to be traded at the deadline for someone they might need. I do not think AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, that he is a trade chip. We will know more as the next few weeks pass by. Over the next say 20 days there will be a lot of activity since some teams are going to want to strike quickly. Others will look at all the goodies on the table and make their meal selections a lot more carefully. As for Bauer, even as good a talent as he is, I seriously doubt that AF will add a disruptive personality like that to a very cohesive club house.
I know I am in a minority here but I think we could use an innings eater for a starting pitcher. We need one to protect may, urias, Gonsolin, and mb buehler. They are still developing and would need to produce almost 3x the innings if we have 162 games. Kershaw and price could shoulder a lot of innings but are health risks. With gray and white we might have some protection but it could get thin quickly. This is also the reason we are going to have to rely on a well stocked bullpen. Over the course of a long season pitching depth is paramount.
As far as a rh bat Kim might be an answer. He is versatile, young, and probably financially reasonable. A mid-tier type a player who AF seems to like. Or, if the cost is too high he might just sign kike back. Not getting Arenado or lindor this year. Dlm would fit but probably too high. However, if turner does not re-sign LeMahieu if available could be pursued. If the dh comes in and a 26 man is added mlb might raise the salary cap. That might expand the search.
LeMahieu(as much as I would love to have him) has already stated that he would love to stay with the Yankees and if not them, then in the NY area.
If you think we can use an innings eater, why are you suggesting Snell? Are you proposing that we add two starting pitchers?
I’m with you on an innings eater, it would make the bullpen that much better with less usage. Kershaw is an innings eater when he’s in the rotation. Bueller will be an innings eater next year and possibly. I’m not sure what to think about Price after sitting out a year, but he’s a large human, fixed his wrist with surgery and was an innings eater earlier in his career. I want to see Price now that he had the cyst removed from his wrist. His velo picked up quite a bit after the surgery.
I was suggesting snell because he is an ace and has a team friendly contract. I certainly don’t think la will get snell. I just think a an innings eater will protect against the overuse of the staff. Price and kershaw could provide the type of innings we need but both have injury history. Somebody like an Alex Wood except not wood could probably do the job. I would be ok with wood in the pen.
Urias is now 24 years old. He does not need protection of his arm any more. He is a lethal weapon. He quit nibbling and became a better pitcher. Gonsolin is 26, he does not need protection either. May might. And May needs a lot more experience before he can be considered as a full time option in the rotation. He is not going to get that this spring. Kike is not coming back. He can get more somewhere else plus and opportunity to get a starting job. And as much as I like LeMahieu, he does not fill a need. He sure as hell is not playing third and he is going to get at least 3 years where ever he goes. The 26 man is already here. It was added last season and is going to be the way it is from now on. The DH is on the table. If and when both sides can agree, it will either be approved or be a part of the next CBA. The players want it, managers now love it, but the league wants expanded playoffs in trade. Kim would cost nothing but money, but again, is the KBA anything more than the equivalent of AAA baseball? Pitching there is no where near MLB level except for a few players. And how many have made the jump from the KBA to sustained success in MLB? Lot of wishful thinking going on here.
Bear thanks for replying. I don’t care how old Urias is. With his injury history and lack of innings the Dodgers will be careful. Ditto with May. Gonsolin may not need it but to keep our pitchers fresh for the playoffs and the Dodgers quick hook on starters we could use real depth in the starting rotation and bullpen. I believe May is ready for the rotation but we shall c. He can certainly improve but he did well when he has started.
As far as LeMahieu we don’t know what are need is yet but of course he is unlikely. Second base has been a need for several years. Lux will probably be it but he wasn’t this year. I agree on Kim but does AF? I don’t think it is automatic kike gets what he wants. He has had chances to start with la and could not produce to hold the position. I would still view him as a utility player. With finances tight I think he is on the bubble.
Urias’s only injury was to his shoulder. And the surgery was more than two years ago. The other operation he had was on his eye, so no, he does not have an injury problem and as was stated at the beginning of spring last year, the gloves are off. . Of all the Dodgers free agents, I would say the least likeliest to resign are Kike, McGee, Nelson and Joc. Trienen, Wood, Baez and Turner are all of interest to AF. As for Kim, he is an unknown. How much money do you believe it is going to take to sign him? Is LA interested? Most likely. But he will cost the posting fee plus his contract what ever it might be and there are other teams more desperate for a player like that. They have 8 starting pitchers on the roster right now. Kersh, Buehler, Price, Urias, May, Gonsolin, Gray and White. Now it makes more sense for AF to sign a second tier free agent starter with a high upside low risk profile to a contract than to trade for Snell or anyone else. There are a lot of guys like that who will be looking for opportunity’s to better their resumes. . This season was an abomination and what applied in 2020 is not necessarily going to be the case going forward. Right now there is no pitcher on the roster who fills the role Stripling played. They do not have a true long reliever. They have mid level relievers and two who could possibly be back end options, Graterol and Gonzalez, but neither have much experience. Kelly is still there. As for Kike, I think he might not get massive money, but he will for sure get a contract for more than just a year. He is not going to get offered anything more than a year in LA. Doing that blocks some prospects they expect to be ready by 2022. I may be totally wrong, but after watching AF for 5 years now, I think his routine is pretty easy to imagine.
Blue Jay Way 2
With a little help from my friend George.
There’s a fog upon L.A.
Justin Turner’s lost his way
He’ll be signed soon enough, they said
Now they’re talking the “Todd father” instead?
Please don’t be Todd
We don’t want Jedd Gyorko either.
Please don’t be Todd
Gimme Rios and A. Cabrera
Well it only goes to show
Toronto might be the place JT will go
Ask Ross Stripling on the street
Hyun Jin Ryu is there to meet
Please don’t be Todd
We don’t want Jedd Gyorko either
Please don’t be Todd
Gimme Rios and A. Cabrera
Talk of Lindor, yes I know
Nolan or Kris may be the way to go
Soon might be that fateful day
Will JT be sitting on Blue Jay Way?
Please don’t be Todd (don’t be Todd)
Please don’t you let it be Todd
Please don’t be Todd
Don’t be Todd
Don’t be Todd
Don’t be Todd
Tod, wo ist dein stachel?
Phillies evidently will not be resign8 g Realmuto. The owner (John Middleton) is sighting massive financial losses of approximately 2 billion dollars.
Oh yeah, no one has any idea what the cap will be this year because no one knows what kind of a schedule they will be able to play. Right now they do not even know if ST will start on time. Too much uncertainty right now.
Wow, the comments are smoking today…
Dodger Mom, you got any room in that Keep Lux Club??? Put me in Por Favor…
What a great weekend!!! Notre Dame moves up to #2 with a good win over N.C.
Dodgers win after a 32 yr. drought… N.D. Could do the same this year… Heck, I could go to heaven with a smile on my face…
Bear I’m with you on Urias… Run him out every 5 days…
Kim = helluva gamble in my books..
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak…
You can be the honored Pres of the club, peterj. Hope you and family had a good
Thanksgiving and you are doing well.
I do not expect many to agree with me and this is just my opinion here. I do not expect AF to make any of those Oh my gosh, look who we just traded for moves. I do expect him to add pieces that are complimentary to the roster he now has. I have to believe he expects both Kike and Joc to seek full time opportunities. Treinen will get some pump from the team. They obviously like what he did. You can forget the big guns, Lindor and Arenado. He might kick the tires for one year of Bryant if JT jumps ship. But guys like Bauer, not a chance. They Like Baez and Pete is comfortable in LA. I think that comes down to length of contract. The money itself will not be huge. Wood was serviceable. He might garner some interest. And honestly, if JT were a priority I think he would be in the fold already. AF is showing a willingness to wait and see what offers those guys get. He has plenty of Joc clones on the roster as it is, and letting him walk will be pretty easy.
While I tend to agree with Mark that I don’t think a trade for those big ticket players will happen I do disagree with one thing.
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If an Arenado deal were to happen I don’t believe the Dodgers would have to give up a slew of top prospects and take all the money. The not trading within the division is an old way of thinking and frankly the old way of thinking is largely gone from baseball. Sure a Madbum or Posey couldnt be handed to the Dodgers in their prime or let’s say a Kershaw to the Giants. That’s different. The Dodgers and Giants are rivals. The Dodgers and Rockies are not. They just don’t have the history.
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If the Phillies lost 2 billion what did the Rockies lose? The Rockies are at the bottom of the West and looking up at every single team for the immediate future. They need to improve their team and get out from under financial difficulties.
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The Rockies would have to kick in some money or take on a contract to improve their prospect haul just like any other team would have to in this type of a trade. Few teams are financially strong enough to even to even think about such a deal so the Rockies can deal with very few teams.
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I think such a deal would look like this:
LA sends-Ruiz, Rios, Pollack, young pitcher like White
Colorado sends-Arenado and a little cash. If I’m the Dodgers I leak the offer too so Nolan knows it’s out there. It puts the Rockies in a tough spot.
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I don’t think it happens. Most likely JT and some bullpen pieces but the Rockies are in no position to charge an intradivision tax.
Does your Arenado trade make CT3 the every day left fielder? Not sure AF would go that way.
Keep in mind, as others have said, Arenado holds all the cards here. If they don’t trade him, he opts out next year and they get nothing. He can say no to any trade.
I’m not saying AF makes a trade for him, but if he does, I’m pretty sure Hoese is part of it.
I think if Andrew waits long enough he might be able to get away with something like Hoese, White and Beeter or another young pitching prospect. And we’ll make them take Kelly for some (actually relatively little) salary help. If Nolan says I’m not going anywhere but the Dodgers, they might be willing to take that deal.
That’s a very fair trade proposal.
It means that Joc would wind up a Dodger again and share left with Taylor.
That too. I just think Joc will get multi-years elsewhere but I would like to see it.
Yes. I would play CT3 in LF. You can play around with the prospects and money some. The Dodgers only have a few contract with money they would like to dump. Kelly, Kenley, and Pollock. They would never send Kenley to Colorado with his heart condition. I know it’s a business but I don’t think they would do that to him. So I chose AJ.
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Depending on your definition of being a pig they could still give Turner some money to DH if that happens. The Dodgers were under the luxury tax last season.
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Arenado would have to agree to waive his opt out or move it back for the Dodgers to do such a deal.
Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you’re young at heart
For it’s hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you’re young at heart
You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart, or on it’s way
Don’t you know that it’s worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are, it’s much better by far
To be young at heart
And if you should survive to 105
Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive
And here is the best part, you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart
And if you should survive to 105
Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive
And here is the best part, you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart
I would do that deal in a heartbeat.
Betts-RF
Seager-SS
Turner-1B/DH
Muncy1B/DH
Arenado-3B
Belli-RF
Smith-C
CT3/Joc/McKinstry/Beaty
Lux-2B
Not likely but Rios and Ruiz would rake in Colorado. Rios with his power. Ruiz with his bat to ball skills taking advantage of that giant outfield. They would have two cheap players to develop. It would also allow Colorado to retain Story if they so desire.