Well, here it is the middle of December already. Seems like just yesterday we were watching the Dodgers parade in downtown Los Angeles. There have been some changes already, and more than likely there will be a few more before opening day on March 26th against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
The newest addition to the team is former Met’s closer, Edwin Diaz. He got a 3-year deal with an option year. He should make a pretty strong bullpen better. I fully expect Tanner Scott to rebound and have a very good year.
The holes the team has can be filled pretty easily. The starting rotation is as good as any in the league. They are deep in starting pitching. Diaz addressed their most pressing problem in the bullpen. Now they need to address the outfield.
I am not surprised that Freidman has not just gone out and signed one of the top outfielders yet. Tucker and Bellinger are considered the cream of the crop. Although AF has brought players back into the organization who have left, Kike, Rojas, and some others, Bellinger will carry a hefty price tag. Not so sure AF wants to go there.
Same with Tucker. The Dodgers have already lost 1 million dollars in international signing bonus pool money, and they lose their second and fifth draft picks. If they sign another, they will lose additional draft picks.
It seems much more likely that they would go for a short-term fix like Bader, or trade for someone like Duran. With Christmas just around the corner, and then the New Years holiday, I am of a mind that any additional signings of significance will not come until January, or even just before spring training starts in February.
Japanese third baseman, Munetaka Murakami has a deadline in a few days. He has not been linked to the Dodgers but has been to Toronto and Seattle. His camp has been very quiet during this entire process. LA has also not been linked to any of the players being posted by Japanese teams.
I really am bad at predictions; do not think I have ever gotten one right. Yet I feel the Dodgers really need to add at least one IMPACT bat. Who that might be, I have no clue. Then there is the left field question. Teo needs to be moved out of right field. He seemed better suited in left his first season there. But he still is a subpar defender.
I think the best way to address this issue is a trade for an established MLB outfielder. It is highly unlikely that Buxton, who many of our readers would love to see in LA, or someone like Duran, is traded to the Dodgers. This kind of trade probably would not be made until the top free agent outfielders are off of the market.
As we all know, Freidman does not make knee-jerk moves. My own opinion is that they have plenty of utility type players already on the roster and someone like Donovan, although he brings a lot to the table, does not make their offense that much better. It is also my belief that they have a very weak bench power wise. Rojas, Kim, Rushing just do not scare anyone. That is why I cannot see them bringing Kike back. He is redundant.
It is not for me to decide, but the decisions on the roster need to be made pretty soon. It will be interesting to see what kind of players they bring in on minor league deals with invites to spring training. I do believe if they make another major move, it will be sooner rather than later. I think AF wants to go into spring training with as powerful a roster as he can assemble. Now we play the waiting game.
I like your way of thinking. As much as Tucker solves an immediate need, I’m starting to think two medium-sized moves might be preferable to one large one. For example, signing Bader & trading for Lowe. Or trading for Duran & signing Fairbanks.
I think both free agents and teams holding trade assets are asking for the moon, which is creating a stalemate. Friedman is happy to wait it out. Eventually someone will cave.
Duran changes EVERYTHING!
Teo goes to LF, where he can do less damage, and Pages goes to RF.
What’s not to like?
Oh, Yeah!
The cost is Sheehan!
Yeah, rumor is Boston is holding out for a lot. I think teams openly trying to trade players lose leverage.
AF is NOT trading a controllable pitcher like Sheehan for Duran. AF is in total control right now. He has the financial might to strike when the free agent or trading price is right. Prices are going down,NOT up the longer he waits.
Why not trade a “controllable” pitcher when there’s a surplus of such pitchers?
If we assume the Dodgers use a 6-man rotation, five spots are already taken–Snell, Glasnow and those three guys from Japan.
Sheehan, Stone, Ryan, Wrobeski, Knack, Caparius and Bobby Miller all have major league experience.
The minors include Ferris, Copen, Zach Root and a few others who seem on track.
A Sheehan-Duran deal could be a win-win, especially if Sheehan’s absence enables River Ryan to blossom or Stone to become a comeback player of the year candidate. Down the road, we might see a big package for Skubal.
The let’s-be-pigs Dodgers might want to start thinking about reining in the record payroll and luxury tax.
Or maybe AF will push it more by signing Tucker.
I still like the “Cody solution”. My Bellinger shirt still has a lot of miles left! đ
The word is he wants a long deal after his earlier short one.
Bregman too
I would easily go 4 years, not so sure about five though.
Bader wants 3 years…if he doesn’t budge I don’t see Friedman going there.
Prices are coming down!
“The Padres have an agreement to re-sign Michael King to a three-year contract with opt-outs after the first two seasons. The Excel Sports Management client is reportedly guaranteed $75MM”.
They have to move Teo to left, right? He can have a big offensive season if he doesnât have to worry too much about his defense. If he comes in to camp a little lighter and maybe a bit quicker, heâll be fine. The more I think about it and read about it, I believe Bellinger gets a very good deal. Iâm just not sure itâs with the dodgers. Tucker? Probably not. Iâm getting a crazy feeling that AF makes a deal with Bichette! His bat would really help keep their offense awake! After all, they did go through some stretches where the offense was almost nonexistent. Move Teo to left and either sign a Harrison Bader or trade for Duran. Then everything is good to go! Sheehan would hurt! BUT, Gavin Stone and River Ryan are coming! Letâs make a deal!!
Yesterday, Alanna Rizzo talked in depth about the Dodgers signing Bichette.
Considering the lack of infielder depth in the Dodgers system, pursuing Bichette would make sense.
It was recently reported that he is willing to play 2base.
Really does make sense. He fits in perfectly with the infield. Kim can rest him at second. Kim can also rest mookie at shortstop. Maybe even play Bichette at 3rd some. I really like his bat in that lineup! .280-.300 average. 20 plus homers. 75-90 rbi out of the second base position? Sign me up, or rather sign him up!
OK, here’s a new-rumor lineup….
Shohei DH
Bichette 2B
Freddie 1B
Smith C
Mookie SS
Max 3B
Teo LF
Duran CF
Pages RF
Or something like that…
All this talk about trading for Bader, Tucker, Duran, Belli and others is fun but I am sure AF wants to see what the at the prospects do in spring training.
Rushing is a lefty hitting catcher,a rarity, to spell Smitty, Replacing Teo in LF with a prospect who rises to the top, gives us a little power on the bench but certainly not a defense replacement. Obviously Ward would need to improve his defense and cut his Ks to make Doc replace a veteran but I can’t wait to see what spring brings and see if anything is left on the FA and trade market.
I also think AF and company are looking to trade for international money. I am sure they have their eyes on a few kids they want. Certainly a few catcher and pitchers to fill the minors.
Bellinger and Tucker aren’t trade deals.
I was looking at availability.
I’d love to see Ward get a shot in LA, but I also want Teo moved to LF–assuming he isn’t traded.
And if we want Rushing to get more ABs, he could get into the LF mix. (Getting Rushing on track will ease the concerns about bench power too. )
Ward should appeal to a power-hungry, cost-conscious small market team that could use him LF, DH and 1B. At the minimum, I expect a trade that brings a prospect back. And I’d be rooting for Ward to kick ass.
It’s easy to concoct blockbusters that might include Ward, but a simple deal is more likely.
Right now, the Dodgers could field an OF that reads Teo-Edman-Pages.
Or maybe Call/Ward-Pages-Teo.
We fans may be more concerned about Teo’s defense than the Dodgers management is.
These rumors are mostly just hopes. I don’t believe much of anything until it happens. The Dodgers get connected to almost every big money free agent or trade target. And yet there was almost nothing in the press connecting them To Diaz.
I took Bo âs being willing to play 2B as a direct âcome and get meâ call to AF. He knows the Dodgers value flexibility and 2B has been a black hole offensively for us for some time. He might even be able to slide over to third when Max is finally done.
I think we sign Bo and have a look at Ryan Ward, Pages and Teo until Edman gets his fitness back. We have a lot of outfielders arriving soon. Bo is the impact bat we need.
Dodger Digest breaks this down well.
Bo to 2b, Kim to Edman’s role, Edman to CF] and occasional 2b. Pages to RF & Teo to LF o traded
Nothing wrong with that!
Except no one knows if Edman will ever be healthy enough to play CF again.
The Dodgers offense from 6/1 on was poor by their standards. Mookie had a down year. Freddie had the longest slump of his career and his power numbers were down a bit. Muncy has regularly been hurt. Teo wasnât right after his injury. The same for Tommy Tanks. The Dodgers need to add a stick and look to get younger. If Bichette can handle 3B after one year at 2B it makes too much sense. I believe he would do just fine there and has the slug. If Muncy could improve enough to handle 3Rd, Bo can do it.
I hope they have a plan for 3B after next year. Max put up some really good numbers after he got healthy in 2025, but eventually he is going to slow down and become a defensive liability at third. Bo may be the guy or they need to get someone else.
For the Dodgers, Bo’s value comes with his bat and his relative youth.
Mookie is the superior SS–and probably has two or three more seasons at the position before he shifts to 2B. Bo’s defense might prove decent at 2B, but probably not up to the level of Edman or Kim. The bat gives him the clear advantage.
Could Bo succeed Max at 3B? Probably, though like Max he won’t contend for a gold glove. He might be asked to handle the job for one season, with prospects like Emil Morales, Jeondry Vargas or Chase Harlin in the wings. Kellon Lindsay might be ready for SS.
Could Bo succeed Freddie at 1B? He’s undersized for the position–but so was Steve Garvey. Come to think, Bo’s bat is sort of Garvey-esque.
The Dodgers have so many OF prospects that it makes Tucker less appealing. My problem with Belli is that he was a pretty average player outside of Yankee Stadium. Bo’s bat seems more reliable.
Odd to think what the 2030 Dodgers might look like. By then, Shohei could be in the OF.
Brandon Lowe traded to the Pirates as part of a 3-team deal with Astros and Rays.
Some actual news!
But first, this evergreen Sam Miller tweet:
https://x.com/SamMillerBB/status/425867764876599296?lang=en
Tampa’s trade of Shane Baz to the Orioles is official:
Return includes 4 of Orioles top 30 prospects:
OF Slater de Brun, C Caden Bodine, RHP Michael Forret, OF Austin Overn.
Rays also get Competitive Balance Round A pick from Oâs.
Lowe Trade breakdown:
– Lowe, Mangum, Montgomery to Pirates
– Burrows to Astros
– Melton & Brito to Rays
BREAKING: There is officially a settlement in the Skaggs-Angels wrongful death trial.
This case was filed 4.5 years ago. Tyler Skaggs died 6.5 years ago. This trial lasted 3 months.
Emotion in the courtroom as the plaintiffs sign the deal.
Terms not disclosed.
WTF.
I just posted something and it disappeared!
I blame…..
That guy who said I was actually someone else.
Sorry not me
Yeah, was a total joke!
Bo Bichette does not have a good arm. He also does not have great range. He gets what he gets but, it’s limited.
His range would not be an issue at 3B, but his arm might!
The Dodgers have Emil Morales, Chase Harlan, Joendry Vargas, and Logan Wagner as 3B possibilities – all are at least 2 years… probably 3 years away.
Freeland?
Utilityman.
Fair
You think we’ll give him any reps in LF in the spring?
No
Go Sooners
Dodgers will pay $169.4 million in competitive balance tax, a new MLB record
“The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series for the second year in a row, and did so with the highest-paid team in Major League Baseball history. The Dodgersâ payroll in 2025 for competitive balance tax purposes was $417.3 million, per Ronald Blum at Associated Press, which resulted in a record-setting luxury tax levy of $169.4 million”.
The Dodgers’ luxury tax exceeds the payrolls of several teams.
At some point, the Guggenheim folks might start caring about it and shun the pricey free agents.
It’s called the high price of winning. Every team and ownership has the same opportunity to defer player salaries ,but most choose not to. The Dodger huge advantage is Ohtoni with his salary deferral and what he brings to the Dodgers on and off the field in ungodly on the field statistics and revenue unmatched by any other team.
“The Dodgers have signed Chuckie Robinson to a minor league deal, according to the catcherâs MLB.com profile page. It is a reunion between the two sides, as Robinson spent the bulk of the 2025 season in the Dodgers organization after being claimed off waivers from the Angels in May”.
Print the tickets!
I would say mow the last piece of the puzzle is in place
meant now in place
I have a feeling the Dodgers are going to make a big effort to sign Tucker. He fits perfectly into the lineup. He walks at a high rate and has a low strikeout rate and puts the ball into play on a consistent basis. He goes to RF and Hernandez goes to left. This keeps Edman at 2B where he is gold glove caliber.
Dodgers will not pay a superstar salary for a star player on a long term deal. Tucker only coming if his market dries up and he settles for a short term deal with opt outs.