Will the Dodgers Use the Asian Connection To Improve Starting Pitching?

Posted By on November 22, 2023

I did a post last year where I talked about the Asian players who the Dodgers have signed over the years. A few of them had a very positive impact on the Dodgers’ fortunes. The two very first were Park from Korea and Nomo, the Dodgers’ first Japanese signing.

This year, there are two very good and very intriguing pitchers from Japan about to be posted. Yamamoto is supposed to be posted today, and Imanaga, sometime before the deadline to post players on the 5th of December.

There is also a Korean outfielder, Lee Jung-hoo, who is also generating a lot of interest. Just how aggressive the Dodgers might be in attempting to sign any of these players remains to be seen. Lee is 24, Yamamoto is 25. and Imanaga is 29.

Of those three, Yamamoto seems to be the catch. He also will probably, because of his age, get a contract longer than five years, and as we all know, AF does not like to give long-term deals to pitchers.

Imanaga might be a more realistic choice since he is A. a lefty, and B. at his age, he won’t get much more than four years, if that.

Lee is interesting because he is a contact hitter and plays excellent defense. The contact part is intriguing since so few MLB players are taught that type of style, although it might be coming back. The Dodgers did draft a contact first, hitting outfielder Kendall George.

It is extremely doubtful the Dodgers could sign both pitchers, but I could see them bringing in Imanaga and Lee.

Anyway, the next couple of weeks are going to be very interesting. I think the Dodgers will definitely be in on all three of these guys.

This article has 64 Comments

    1. Interesting stuff. I still don’t like Adames and I don’t see him as an upgrade except in the power department. The only real plus to me is that he hits from the right side. But if they could land Gurriel, who is a free agent as a corner outfielder, that would help too. I believe Lux will be fine at SS, he will hit for a higher average and OBP than Adames, and he might even be capable of 15-20 HR power over a full year. And he is far faster than Adames. Lux is also a couple of years younger and under team control for a little longer.

      1. Well, you know me – I have never been convinced Lux can play SS, but that is just my opinion. Adames had a bad year last year, but I see him as .800+ OPS guy at SS, which would really be awesome compared to last year.

        1. But he’s a FA after this year and doesn’t solve our long-term SS hole.

          Unless you put Lux at 2B this year with the plan to him over to SS in 2025.

        2. Just looked it up…
          Adames’ career OPS is .759, and he is ranked among the game’s best defenders at SS.
          There are tradeoffs. Adames is more proven, more of a sure thing–and more expensive for now–while Lux a bit more of a risk, but perhaps has a better upside. A lineup that may add Shohei to Mookie, Freddie, Max and Outman really doesn’t need power from SS. Lux’s on-base skills are nice for setting up Mookie and Freddie
          So if it was one or the other, I’d probably roll the dice on Lux….
          But it’s not one or the other, because the primary target would be Burnes.

      2. Unless he is traded for an SP, I’d rather see Busch in LF than Gurriel.
        Maybe Vargas too.
        Just don’t see LF as a priority when Taylor, DeLuca, Busch, Vargas and maybe Pages are all options. For that matter, I’d rather see Yelich than Gurriel, if the Dodgers opted for the blockbuster Mark has suggested.
        I do want the Dodgers to bring back Heyward, who maximizes the value in Mookie’s versatility.
        Teoscar keeps getting buzz, but I don’t like his Ks.

  2. This falls into the category that the truth eventually comes out:

    https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-11-21/adrian-beltre-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot-2024-chase-utley-joe-mauer

    Paul DePodesta, the biggest moron to ever be the Dodgers GM tried to spin the story that his offer was close to what Seattle offered Adrian Beltre. Beltre disputes that in yesterday’s article in the Times:

    “Beltré told The Times in 2018 that he made a tactical mistake during negotiations with the Dodgers after his landmark 2004 season. He said the Dodgers offered him only a three-year contract for about half the $64 million he received from the Mariners over six years.

    “It was a mistake on my part to show it too much, that I wanted to stay [with the Dodgers],” he said. “They wanted to use that against me in the negotiation … I wanted to stay there forever. But it didn’t happen.”

    How much different would Dodgers’ history have been if Beltre had stayed?

    Damn you, Paul DePodesta for depriving the Dodgers of a first ballet Hall-of-Famer!

    1. DePodesta was so overrated and hyped, but to me, he literally ruined the team. Woo suk Go to be posted by his KBO team. LH relief pitcher.

  3. Probably easier to list the top free agents that the Dodgers aren’t in on! And AF loves it that way. Can’t wait to see if he has something totally out of the box this year. Some three team deal that we don’t see coming. If we don’t sign Ohtani, then we need some bats. Hopefully JD waits out Ohtani decision.

    1. I have to believe Cassidy that AF went into this offseason with an agenda and an idea of what he wanted to do. He knows better than we do what kind of talent he needs, and the holes he has to fill. Some he will use homegrown guys for, I think at least two spots in the rotation behind Buehler. Most likely Miller and Pepiot. He will no doubt try to get two established starters. Just who, well that is the conundrum. And most of the free agents will wait to see what kind of bar Ohtani sets with his signing. Angels announced that Mike Trout will stay with the team in 2024.

      1. 2 established starters plus Ohtani and this team is ready to do damage.
        Offense with Ohtani will be top 5 team scoring runs even if AF does not bring in any other guy for the lineup.
        Betts, rf
        Freddie, 1b,
        Smith, c
        Ohtani, DH
        Vargas, lf
        Muncy, 3b
        Outman, cf
        Lux, 2b
        Rojas, ss

        Lineup is a little LH heavy but if need to be AF can bring in someone at the trade deadline.

        Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!

          1. Most likely.
            To land Cease and/or Burnes (and/or Glasnow) the Dodgers will have to deal premium talent. The potential for a true blockbuster is out there.

        2. That could be a very weak bottom five! For me Rojas is a bench piece, Lux at ss, Vargas at 2nd and we need a big rh bat in left. Big year to determine what we have in Lux, Outman and Vargas. Is there a star among them? Busch gets traded in a package for a starter.

          1. Lux is a good hitter and he gets on base, Muncy is an on base machine with power. I do not think Rojas is going to start at SS over Lux. I think they will sign a free agent corner outfielder and Mookie will get significant time at second base.

  4. AF could sign Yamamoto, Imanaga, and Martinez as well as trading for Burnes and Adames (Busch, Rushing & others) and still have less money tied up than with Ohtani. Rojas goes to Milwaukee too.

    Rotation:
    Burnes
    Yamamoto
    Buehler
    Miller
    Imanaga
    Pepiot
    Sheehan

    I would go with a six-man rotation for Yamamoto and Buehler’s sake.

    Lineup:
    1. Betts RF
    2. Freeman 1B
    3. Smith C
    4. Martinez DH
    5. Muncy 3B
    6. Adames SS
    7. Outman CF
    8. Vargas LF
    9. Lux 2B

    I think RVS can help Adames a lot, too! In 2021, he hit 20 HR (striking out 25% of the time) with a .285 BA/.366 OB% and a .886 OPS. I also try to see what a player might become other than what WAS.

    I also look for Vargas to breakout!

    1. I dont like trading for rentals.

      Seems like a mid-season move.

      At least dont include any top ten guys if the return is a short timer.

    3. This lineup and rotation would be fantastic!
      And the bench would have Taylor, DeLuca, Pages and Barnes/Feduccia before any additions.
      A strong World Series contender.

  5. I don’t believe the Dodgers have any interest in signing Ohtani after he had his second surgery. Every article and rumor about a Dodgers-Ohtani deal, to me, is simply the Dodgers doing what they do best — driving up the price up for other teams.

    Ohtani is a high-priced DH whose swing may be slightly compromised in 2024. He doesn’t play the field and we do not need another left handed bat. Ohtani’s upside of being a two-way player is contingent upon his surgery and recovery. The Dodgers already have too many pitchers on the recovery curve — Buehler, May, Gonsolin, not to mention Kershaw.

    1. Well, you are in the minority. And I do not believe it is the Dodgers trying to up the price for their competitors. Ohtani’s swing might be impacted a little, but this guy is not Cody Bellinger. He stays in excellent shape and has a lot of skills other hitters do not possess. I think the fact that he had surgery will only impact his value as a two-way player. Therefore, a tiered type of contact is highly possible. You do not pass on a talent of his stature if you have a real chance at signing the guy, which the Dodgers do.

    1. It’s a possibility on a one-year deal with an option. He’s 35 and had TJ in 2021. He might have another good year in him and he’s LH.

  7. I totally agree with Mark on Adrian Beltre. Really dumb and I believe the moneyball guy spent more money on other players after losing Beltre.

    I tend to believe the rumors on Yamamoto and Ohtani. Part of that is talent and some has to do with the Dodgers new push to move into international marketing, sponsorship and advertising. Millions and millions of dollars in new revenue.

    Maybe as high as a $100 million a year according to a Chicago Tribune story.

    Just not seeing Adames. Why?

    Rumors persist about Cease. I like that move.

  8. You better watch out
    You better not cry
    You better not pout
    I’m telling you why (Why?)
    Shohei Otani is comin’ to town,

  9. Seby Zavala and right-hander Carlos Vargas are headed to the Mariners in exchange for third baseman Eugenio Suarez

  11. 1. Ohtani will cost the Dodgers their first pick.
    2. He will start the season at age 29 and finish it at age 30.
    3. Mike Trout was Superman until his age 29-30 season.
    4. Up until that season, Mike Trout averaged n145 games a season.
    5. Since then, Trout has averaged 79 games a season (not counting the COVID year).
    6. Players start breaking down in their 30s. There is no guarantee Ohtani will pitch again and he missed the last few weeks of last season with an oblique strain… and he left the team. Can you say Primadonna?
    7. If I were AF, I would sign players who did not cost any player or draft collateral. Forget Cease and Burnes. Sign Yamamoto, Imagana, Gray, Montgomery, Hoskins, Hernandez, and players who do not cost prospects or draft picks. Hoard the rookies, keep all the arms.
    8. There is no Ohtani in team!
    9. Spend the money – save the prospects.

    2. Note to Bear:
      Fielding percentage has to be one of the worst old-school stats out there, since it doesn’t factor a fielder’s range. A slow fielder who is perfect on balls he reaches–but allows a lot of hits– is a lot worse than a fielder with great range who botches a few.
      I’ll trust the advanced metrics on fielding.

      1. Your choice. They were measured that way for years and this old dog doesn’t give a rats hind end about metrics. LOL. Lux is younger, more athletic and a lot faster than Adames. You can have his power and his frippen K’s. No thanks. I think Lux is going to flourish as a SS and shove the metrics up the experts ass.

  12. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report expects the two-way star to sign a 10-year deal worth up to $520 million with LA.

    It’s been reported that Yamamoto would like to sign with a team that has other Japanese players.

    2. Bowden said the Dodgers package for Burnes should include Sheehan, Pepiot and two other players. For a one-year rental? AF is not that stupid. And he especially is not trading two guys they are counting on to be part of the rotation.

  13. Looking back on Adrian Beltre, I took a lot of heat because, in his rookie year, I said he would be a Hall-of-Famer. I was mocked unmercifully.

    How do you like me now?

      1. I say no. Pretty pricey considering his recent performance.
        On a happier note, Yamamoto’s agent has been quoted as saying that his client WANTS TO PLAY WITH OTHER JAPANESE PLAYERS, which runs contrary to the common notion of players coming abroad.
        I’ve read that the Dodgers are serious about landing both Ohtani and Yamamoto. I’ve discounted the chance because both are expected to command fat, long-term contracts. It just seemed too rich even for the deep-pocket Dodgers.
        Anyway, if we take the report on face value, this could be a real plus for the Dodgers….
        Assuming they land Ohtani, that is.

          2. What is he… a racist? Being married to an Asian, I can tell you they are very racist… but not against their own countrymen… just other Asians. Just speaking truth!

  16. While waiting for something to happen, I’m feeling pretty good about mlb.com’s new Dodgers Top 30 Prospects.
    The list includes five catchers–Rushing, Cartaya, Yeiner Fernandez, Thayron Liranzo and Feduccia. All seem to have major league potential, either as starters or backups.
    Feduccia is ready now. Rushing and Cartaya are still a year away, and Fernandez and Liranzo are farther out.
    Would the Dodgers be willing to deal Cartaya to get Cease or Burnes?
    If not, why not?

    1. I think they would, but they would be dealing low after his bad 2023. Milwaukee would likely ask for Rushing or Liranzo and I think Fernandez is on a fast track. He is a contact hitter and has less swing-and-miss. I see him as a utility man. He plays SS, 2B and C and I think he will get time in the OF soon.

      By, the way. CT3 has 2 more years at $13 MM per and a $12 MM option in 2026. He was a 1.4 WAR player so that is a little high, but he is more versatile than most utility players, except Kike.

    2. I could see them trading Cartaya. I think Rushing is a keeper because he hits left-handed with power. Not a whole lot of those guys in the majors. Depends on what the other team wants. Bowden says the Dodgers should trade 4 players for Burnes, including Pepiot and Sheehan. Sorry, not for a one-year rental.

      1. The possibility exists that Pepiot and Sheehan could be as good as Brunes. If not in 2024, then in 2025! That’s why I say just go after Free Agents with no QO! No player equity!

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