Fire Up That Stove!

Posted By on November 13, 2024

The Arizona Fall League is officially winding down. The Championship games will end on November 16th (two days before my birthday). Zyhir Hope, Sean McLain, Eriq Swan, and Jake Gelof did not make anyone believe they will be superstars, but they did show promise of being useful players as they mature. Of course, Hope has the tools, being a 5-tool player, but at 19, he’s still hard to project.

It’s officially the beginning of the hot stove league… where anything can happen. As usual, Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes will be kicking a lot of tires. Speaking of kicking tires, I put the Dark Horse up for sale. I have been offered $25K over what I paid and with less than a 1,000 miles, I am going to sell it. It’s only a damn car! I enjoyed it while it lasted.

Back to Dodger baseball: Of course, as fans we concoct all kinds of trades. I am sure a lot of Dodger fans are trying to figure out how to get the player who used to be Nolan Arenado. The problem is, he is a shell of himself. He can still play defense, but his power is gone. His HR totals have went from 41 to 34, to 30, to 26, and to 16 last year. Miggy Rojas had a higher OPS than Nolan. That ship has sailed… Nolan is no longer a good player. The Dodgers have Max Muncy for this year and next (if they want him) and he OPS’ed .852. I do not see him slowing down this year. Third base is solid.

First base is also solid and the Dodgers have three more years of Freddie. I can see him retiring after the 2027 season. That leaves 2B and SS. Mookie can play either position, but the Dodgers would rather sign a longer-term solution for SS and let Mookie play the position he loves – 2B! The way I see it, the Dodgers have several options at SS:

  1. Miguel Rojas and maybe Alex Freeland (later in the summer) could man the position;
  2. The Dodgers could keep Gavin Lux and play Mookie at SS for a year (I think this is the most unlikely scenerio);
  3. The Dodgers could trade Lux and sign Willy Adames; or
  4. The Dodgers could trade Lux and sign Ha-seong Kim.

I would guess that #3 is the most likely, but it all depends upon the Benjamins! I throw trade scenerios out there all the time, but in reality, most will not happen. Garrett Crochet si one of the best young, lefty arms in baseball. Some of you look at his record of 6-12 and 3.58 ERA (1.068 WHIP) and yawn. That is unfortuneate. He is a lot more than his record. Garrett has a total of 219 IP at the MLB level and 146 of them were last season! He has started 32 games in his MLB career and ALL OF THEM WERE LAST SEASON!

He pitched 54 innings in 2021 out of the bullpen and then missed all of 2022 with Tommy John and was limited to 12 innings in 2023 due to shoulder inflammation. Is he injury prone or did he just come back too quickly? He has a big, strong worhorse body (6′ 6″/245 lbs) and of course, is LH. He may not be the equal of Skubal… but he is close. Guys like this are rare. Andrew Friedman covets him and he will cost a lot. If any team trades for him, it will be an overpay and the Dodgers would have to include DePaula and/or Rushing in any deal. I would say the odds are against it.

I think the odds are that Teoscar will be back and this will be the lineup next season:

  1. Ohtani DH
  2. Betts 2B
  3. Freeman 1B
  4. Teoscar LF
  5. Muncy 3B
  6. Smith C
  7. Edman CF
  8. Adames SS
  9. Pages RF

Bench, Kike, CT3, Rojas, Barnes, Rushing will be in the mix as the subs are a combines 350 years old! I see Lux flipped for a prospect… but there are a lot of tires to kick! Who will take Clayton McCulloughs’ place as 1B coach? How about Travis Barbary?

Shadrack will be 6 months old on Saturday and he is already over 80 pounds. He’s still a big goofy puppy!

Let the hot stove burn!

I just got this 30 x 24 Canvas and am having it framed. I’ll take of photo of it when it is hanging in my office:

X-Cites

This article has 53 Comments

  1. Teoscar’s estimated contract (based on four major sports outlets) ranges narrowly from 3y/$60m to 3y/$72m.

    We should be able to strike a deal quickly and move on to what’s next.

    1. Seems low for a guy who earned $23.5 million in ’24 and helped win a championship. Teo made it clear he wants to be a Dodger… but what if another team offer him another $20 million more in guaranteed money? Dodgers might offer three year, and the Red Sox or ?? could offer more. (If Soto leaves the Yankees, surely Teo could be a fall-back.)
      Love the lineup Mark suggests. Another valid scenario–one we just saw–has Edman at SS, backed up by Rojas. Whether or not Teo comes back, CF could be manned by a platoon of Outman and Chris Taylor.
      If the idea makes you queasy, remember that Outman is one season removed from a .790 OPS, and that the streaky Taylor came on strong in ’24 after the all-star break. Down the stretch Taylor over .300 with an OPS of .765. If Kike comes back, he could be in OF mix too.
      In the unlikely event that the Dodgers fail to land both Teo and Adames, this could be the lineup:

      Shohei DH
      Mookie 2B
      Freddie 1B
      Smith C
      Max/Rojas 3B
      Pages RF
      Edman SS
      Outman/Taylor CF
      Rushing/Kike (?) LF

      I don’t expect this, but it illustrates the existing depth of the Dodgers.

      If Kike returns, perhaps he could platoon with Max or Rushing. A lineup loaded with righty batters could feature Kike, Taylor and Pages in the OF, and Rojas at 3B. Shohei and Freddie would be the only lefty batters.

  2. good morning from va.! i like your 2025 lineup mark! i don’t particularly like the bench! unless someone can fix Chris Taylor’s swing, AF should try and move him! If kike and rojas both stay there is really no need for Taylor. Kike can play 7 positions. Rojas can play every position in the infield. An outfielder with some pop, and an average over .250 would be just what the doctor (doc) ordered! or as you proposed earlier, a Robert trade would allow Edman to be the super utility player every team would love to have! That bench will hit a collective .210. and strikeout 40% of the time! it’s a below average bench to say the least. …. i still believe the Mets sign Soto . Good! the dodgers don’t need him! … Does Andy Pages become the Dodgers every day right fielder? possibly, but with Mookie moving back into the infield, right field takes a big step backward. Pages can be a good right fielder, but in no way is he close to Mookie! Center? Edman is a gold glove caliber player. Left? Teo is average, but sneaky better than he gets credit for. Kike? excellent outfielder. Evev though Taylor is a liability at the plate, he’s an excellent defender anywhere in the outfield. Outman? good outfielder. i just believe he’s playing somewhere else next season. it’s fun to speculate what the dodgers will do! Sasaki, Fried,Burnes, Snell, Crochet, Skrubal, Buehler? Lots to choose from, who knows? But a healthy Glasnow, Yamamoto at the top? A very good start! Knack, May, Gonsolin,Sheehan? someone probably has to go. i’m going on record and saying Gonsolin will be in the dodgers rotation. May? probably bullpen or traded. Sheehan? minors in the beginning. Knack? this one intrigues me. he’s on the verge of being a very good starter in the league. He could be the next Jack Flaherty. Blake Trienan would be a big loss. But, AF seems to find a way to replace guys without spending a fortune. And he’s 37 years old, so they won’t get in a bidding war for him. Seeing phillies as favorites for Trienan. Speaking of the phillies, Bohm is supposedly on the trade market. AF interested? young , talented, and has power. could be at 3rd for a few years! Just throwing that out there.

    1. AJ Pierzynski on the YouTube show “Foul Territory” talked some trash on Bohm, suggesting some teammates and management think he needs to “grow up.” Ouch. The discussion left me thinking that the Phils would deal for Arenado.
      At any rate, I don’t think 3B is a problem for the Dodgers.
      Look at Max’s ’24 stats. Injuries limited to him to 73 games, but his offense–if projected over a full season–was comparable to Teo’s and Freddie’s. His OPS was close to .850. He had 15 HRs and 48 RBI, which projects to close Max’s usual 35 HR pace and about 110 RBI. Max won’t win a gold glove–but he’s really not that bad a fielder.
      But Max is 34. Maybe he has only a year or two left. Maybe he’ll move to a team where he play 1B or DH. So who should succeed him?
      If Adames is signed to play SS, he could easily slide over to play 3B at some point. As Jeff has pointed out, perhaps OKC SS Alex Freeland can play 3B. And some folks say teenagers Jeondry Vargas and Emil Morales might be better at 3B than SS.
      And I sure hope the Dodgers bring back Kike too.

  3. Speculating is fun. Having a little foresight is way more engaging than spewing hindsight. It’s funny how we all go bonkers trying to figure out the opening day lineup.
    Here is the outfield 3-31-24
    Teoscar
    Outman
    Heyward

    Here is the outfield 10-31-24
    Teoscar
    Kike
    Mookie

    7-9 in the lineup sucked in April, but raked in October. So I guess the reasons we do this is twofold. It’s boring as hell in the offseasons. And it’s fun to guess who’s on your team in April. That being said……I’ll take Fried, Teo, Striker, Kike ,Kim & Robert Jr. And Sasaki.
    Book em

    1. Imagine some dominoes.
      Soto signs with the Mets…
      So the Yankees sign Teo…
      So the Dodgers deal for Robert.
      Luis Robert is a huge talent who is coming off a bad season and has a habit of getting hurt. On the plus side, he’s an excellent center fielder with 40 HR potential and is about six years younger than Teo. Plus, he has a team-friendly contract. If Teo doesn’t return, Robert could be an upgrade.
      So perhaps the Dodges should bow out on Crochet and focus an offer on Robert.
      Lux + Outman + Feduccia + De Paula might get it done.

      2. What has Robert done
        One year.I want Teo
        If the Dodgers want Teo they will get him.We Wil see.

        1. Robert had a rough ’24–a .654 OPS in only 100 games played– but in ’23 he hit to a .854 OPS with 38 HRs and 20 steals.
          Plus, he’s a superior centerfielder–and only 27 years old, I think.
          Plus, he’s got a couple years left on a team-friendly contract.
          But it would be a gamble on his ability to get back to potential.
          I don’t think the Dodgers will pursue him, but when he’s playing well, Robert is a clear upgrade over Teo.
          But Plan A for the outfield is Teo.
          If not Teo, then maybe Santander or Tyler O’Neill. But Robert, potentially the best of all, is an intriguing longshot.

  4. CT3 has a big bounce back year.

    And IM not giving up on Lux. If someone wants to overpay for him, fine, but Id be fine rolling him out next year….

  5. I saw a Dark Thunder last week – it is an impress car and sounds the part, definitely a throwback to the 70-eras.

    On Trienan, I saw the same thing where Sporting News has him going to the Phillies for a 1-yr $10M.
    If the amount/years is correct – what are your thoughts on the Dodgers matching it?
    His stuff is filthy and he missed 2- years so even at 37 it’s not like he has a lot of mileage of the arm. I for one think he is worth an outlier move by AF from his normal approach to relievers.

    Since every publication says that Crochet being moved – I can imagine anyone out-bidding the Dodger’s and they have the assets to do so. Plus, agree with Dodgerdad and others from previous post, that some of the arms noted above will need to be traded.

    1. If you live in a city, I don’t know why you wouldn’t consider an electric car.

      From performance, to reliability and economics.

      Or at the very, very least a hybrid

  6. Treinen is worth $10m AAV. Pay the man.
    As for Lux, I’m not “giving up” on him either. But I am trading him because Mookie will be the second baseman–and Lux lacks the versatility of guys like Edman, Taylor and Kike.
    Lux would have a better path to big success on a team that would play him at 2B daily, and bat him near the top of the lineup. If he figures out how to hit lefties, Lux could be an all-star and make more $$ than he’d ever get as a bit player on the Dodgers

  7. Another scenario could be moving Mookie to short and keeping Lux at 2B in a platoon with Rojas. Lux had a .739 OPS against righties and a .394 OPS against lefties.

  8. The Dodgers’ website has already announced that Mookie is returning to the infield so I assume that will happen. That gives the Dodgers Pages, Outman, Edman, and Taylor who can play OF (and if they elevate Dalton Rushing to the 40 man, he has played a total of 31 games in LF in his minor league career). I can’t see them going into 2025 with this being the universe of OF available, so this becomes a priority.

    I expect that the Dodgers liked what they saw Pages at the end of the season when he was mostly a platooned guy. He isn’t a CF and so should play RF with his good arm. His platoon splits were extreme last year – .213/.277/.371/.647 against RHP vs .357/.396/.520/.917 against LHP. We don’t yet know if he is really a platoon player or not but last year he was. If so, he isn’t an every day guy.

    Is James Outman done with the Dodgers? Last season was painful. And he’s already 27. As Mark has previously observed, he also has pretty extreme platoon splits. He is a CF though and the Dodgers don’t have a bunch of them.

    If the Dodgers have Mookie at 2B and Rojas and/or Edman at SS, who plays OF?

    On the other hand, Edman isn’t really a SS – he doesn’t have a great arm. Rojas is, but he’s 36 and really should be a part-time player.

    And what do they do with Lux? I think that the Dodgers are satisfied that he isn’t an every day SS at this point and is best at 2B, and if Mookie plays there? He is surplus and a trade chip probably.

    Luis Robert Jr has had 2 really good years out of 5 seasons in MLB. He is a free agent after 2025. He has had more than 400 PA exactly once in 5 years. I don’t see why the Dodgers need to trade for a guy who will be a free agent after one season who can’t stay on the field. Yeah, they need a CF, but his history doesn’t inspire confidence.

    So – sign or trade for a corner OF, install Edman in CF, sign or trade for a SS?

    1. Not necessarily quarreling with your analysis of Jr’s past production but there are two team options (2026 and 2027) at 20 mil each so he’s actually got a potential 3 years of control remaining.

      Of his five years, 2 were very good (years 2 and 4), one was decent (year 3) and two were not very good (1 and 5). Consistency and health are not his strongest selling points.

  9. the Max we saw in the world series? not good. just wondering if AF would kick the tires on Bohm? Adames needs to be a dodger! i hate to see Lux go, but Mookie, Adames, and Edman up the middle? that’s a win win situation.

      1. I read that Max was kidnapped after NLCS and replaced by a clone. I’ll update this if I get any new info

        1. The WS lasted five games. Pretty small sample size.
          Again, just look at Max’s offense from ’24.
          Injuries limited him to 73 games–but he slugged 15 HRs and 48 RBIs. So he was on pace for more than 100 RBI. His BA was about .230, but he got his walks and he slugged, producing an OPS higher that Teo’s, and just a bit below Freddie and Mookie.
          We love Mookie, Freddie and Teo.
          But the guy at 3B remains much-maligned Max…

  10. sure. he walked what, 75% of those on base at bats? Never said he doesn’t have value as a 3rd baseman, He walks a lot, but he strikes out a whole lot too! Home run, base on balls, strike out. the 3 results you get from Max. if he’s the 3rd baseman of course i root for him. i’m gonna make a way too early prediction on Max for next year. 208 batting average. 23 home runs . 77 rbi’s . 18 errors. i hope i’m low on offense predictions, and high on defense predictions! Thats my way too early prediction for Max . 1 more. Mookie Betts ain’t the shortstop next year! By the way, in my early morning post i left out one vert important piece. Ohtani pitching!!! stupid me!

    1. I don’t care how much complementary players strike out… if they have a ,859 OPS. I would take Muncy over Luis Arraz every day. OPS is King.

  11. I’ll be blown away if the Dodgers sign Soto.

    Teo would be a good signing. I can see the Dodgers making a trade or two.

    Let the fun begin.

  12. A few comments on Mark’s fine article.

    I don’t see Freddie Freeman retiring after 2027. He will probably be within 200 hits of 3,000 at that time, and leaving that milestone unreached would be a travesty. His grand slam cemented him in Dodger lore forever and I believe his HOF plaque will show the interlocking “LA” on it.

    My heart strings long for re-signing of Teoscar, Treinen and Striker. I think they get all 3 done, but wow, this ball club is starting to get old. Will we regret those moves in 2 seasons?

    Sasaki would be such a valuable get. The possibility seems almost too good to be true. We’ve had a lot to cheer for this year, can things continue to get better?

    1. Getting old is just temporary. So as old guys move on, younger guys are signed. Lets say we sign Sasaki–he is 23 years old. If CK retires then we get younger. There are always guys in the pipeline or trades or free agents. Its not like AF will be surprised as guys get older. Get as much as we can as long as we can

  13. Don’t forget about Bobby Miller.

    This guy could come back and easily be a front of the line rotation guy for us.

  14. Bobby Miller has not been forgotten by the Dodgers. A lot of fans have called him a “head case” and said other things. This is just a young pitcher who got injured, got his mechanics out of whack and was very frustrated. Sometimes, the harder you try, the worse it gets. I look for him to be in the rotation next year.

  15. you guys are right, shouldn’t forget about Miller. I do believe it’s 50-50 whether he stays a dodger. if he stays, it’s as a starting pitcher. I don’t see him in the bullpen. nor do i see him going back to the minors. if he’s not a starter, i see him possibly in a package with Lux and others for a high level starting pitcher, and or an outfielder. i’m hoping he returns to 2023. bobby miller. …. Couple of writers predicting Walker Buehler to the cubs onna 3 year deal. Really hope not! it could be a big time mistake to let him walk! But as we all have said, there won’t be a shortage of starters come spring training if they are all healthy . Emphasis on”healthy “. wish someone in the American league would hurry up and sign Soto! preferably the Blue jays!!!

    1. They would be selling low on Miller if they trade him now, I don’t see that happening!

      I could see Lux being traded for more International Signing Bonus Mony!

  17. I think they go after Corbin Burnes get there ace. If they don’t get him then go after Max Fried’ next go after Willy Addams to be the every day shortstop. Then put Betts at second base and Pages in right field. Now you have centerfield covered with Edman Kiki and Taylor. Left field Teoscar they get him he is there if they don’t they will have to get a free agent outfielder someone like O’Neal or Kepler or Santanderman someone with some pop like Teoscar and pair that guy with Rushing who could play there or first base sometime and even catch oh and there going to need to bring in a reliever to replace Treinen which I would say Jeff Hoffman. So this is the new dodgers Burnes Hoffman O’Neal Adammes Kenny Jansen and they lose Teoscar Treinen Buehler Lux Outman Miller all won’t be back but Kiki will Barnes Taylor Rushing Rojas. Your starters catcher will smith first base Freddie freeman second Betts shortstop Adammes third base Muncy left field Tyler O’Neal centerfield Edman right field Pages and DH Ohtani.

    1. Teoscar and Treinen will be back . No need for O’Neil or Jansen. Who are the Dodgers getting for Lux, Miller and Outman?

  18. Once Juan Soto signs, remaining free agent dominoes should start to fall into place. The Dodgers are suppose to meet with Juan Soto, but I have a hard time seeing anyone beating out the Mets. They have a rich owner and an organization in need of a bonafide superstar. However, if Soto’s priority is a winning environment, as Boras has indicated, no other team can beat the Dodgers in that department.

    My concern is that whichever NY team comes up short in the Soto sweepstakes will likely end up overpaying for Teo. I don’t foresee the Dodgers overpaying for Teo. I believe the Dodgers are very interested in Adames, but an official offer to Adames likely hinges on what takes place with Soto. In the unlikely scenario the Dodgers sign Soto, you have to believe both Teo and Adames are no longer viable options.

    It will be interesting to see how free agency shake out. I have a hunch we’re in for some surprises and it mostly has to do Juan Soto. Once he is off the market teams should have a better idea where they stand with the remaining free agents.

    Go Dodgers!

  19. The Dodgers want Treinen back and I am sure they will pay him $10-12 Mil. The problem is that some other team may do a second year. AF won’t do that… nor should he. Sadly, this is a business and I think there is a good chance Treinen gets 2 years!

    Burnes will get over $200 Mil and his velocity and spin is down. No way, Jose!

    Adames, Teoscar, and Sasaki remain the best possibilities. I see Teo at 3-Years/$75 Mil and Adames at 6 Years$150 Mil.

    1. Id really like Treinen back.

      Just a solid clubhouse guy.

      Maybe he only wants to pitch one more year. He is a guy I dont think is motivated by money.

      Hope he is back.

    2. My concern is that at 32 years old, would it be unreasonable for the 24’ silver slugger recipient and all star to receive from either NYM or NYY, once Soto is off the market, an offer in the 4/$90M or even a 5/$100M range?

      Teoscar took a gamble with the 1-year $23.5M deal he signed with the Dodgers and he’s gonna reap the benefits. More than likely, this is his last shot at a multi-year deal and I wouldn’t blame him if he chooses to capitalize in what could be the largest contract of his career.

      Hoping the Dodgers can bring him back on a 3-year deal, but my guess is those funds are going to be shifted to eventually sign Adames.

    3. You know I’m kinda warming up to this Adames thing. If they slide him over to 3rd in a year or two. 6 years might not age quite as bad as his staying at short. I still don’t think AF does it. Knowing his MO, I think he splits the reps at short this spring with Freeland and Lux. I know he’s not a ss Mark, but it might up his value so AF can get a couple of controllable southpaws. The first 2-3 months of the season, it’s no big deal if you play a rookie ss. Kim will be back in June?? Go get him.
      Book em

  20. yay! Bradley is back!!! Kenley? nope ! O’neil? nope! Burnes at 6 years? nope! Don’t know why, but i’m getting this funny feeling that Blake Snell is going to be a dodger! 3 years at say 90 million? wouldn’t surprise me!

  21. How bout we bring JT back on a 1 year deal. He can DH when Shohei pitches and spell Munc at 3B.

    In 2026 he moves into a coaching role with the Dodgers….who says no?

    1. JT hit .259/.359/.383/.737 with 11 HR in 539 PA and only played 3B 6 times in 139 games. He’s mostly a DH at this point and not a particularly great one. He turns 40 in a week and doesn’t have positional flexibility.

      This is your heart talking and not your head.

      1. Maybe, but he deserved that parade as much as anyone.

        For being the 26 man on the squad Ill take him for his leadership alone!

        1. I like talkin from the heart just like you Matt. As long as JT can catch…..I’m all in.
          Book em

  22. The Dodgers outrighted Connor Brogdon to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
    The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Brogdon who missed much of the 2024 season with a foot injury will remain in the organization as relief depth. The 40 man now stands at 37 with 3 openings for player protection of the Rule 5 Draft on December 11 or free agent signings.

  23. “Brusdar Graterol underwent right shoulder surgery on Thursday, with the procedure performed by Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

    He joins Shohei Ohtani as Dodgers players who have undergone shoulder surgery this offseason. Ohtani’s surgery was necessary due to a subluxation of his left shoulder that included a labrum tear.

    Graterol revealed news of his surgery through a post on X, formerly Twitter. Graterol mentioned dealing with plenty of frustration and pain throughout the 2024 season, but did not share details of the shoulder operation”.

    Graterol is one of five pitchers on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster who are expected to miss all or a significant portion of next season after surgical procedures, along with Emmet Sheehan, Kyle Hurt, River Ryan, and Gavin Stone. That doesn’t include Clayton Kershaw, who will return but hasn’t yet re-signed and had surgeries on his left foot and left knee on November 6.

Comments are closed.