If the Dodgers do nothing, this is what I would expect come Spring Training.
1B – Bellinger
2B – Forsythe
3B – JT
SS – Seager
LF – Kike’ and Joc/Toles
CF – Taylor
RF – Puig
C – Barnes
Rotation: Kershaw, Hill, Wood, Maeda, Ryu
Bullpen: Jansen, Baez, Fields, Garcia, Koehler, Stripling, Avilan, Cingrani
Bench: Grandal, 2 of Kike’/Joc/Toles, and Locastro
Grandal and JT can relieve Bellinger at 1B. CT3 and Kike can relieve Corey at SS. Logan and Kike’ can relieve JT at 3rd. Barnes/Kike’/Farmer/CT3 can all play 2B for Logan. Kike’/Toles/Joc can all play LF, CF or RF.
That is a 25 man that can compete right now. Win a WS…?
It does not include Matt Kemp or Brock Stewart. There is no reason to include Kemp in their plans, and Brock Stewart is the #6 in rotation. I think he is better suited for the bullpen, but he needs to be convinced of that. I think he goes back down to OKC to work on his changeup. If he cannot get that to become a legit out pitch, then he should move to the bullpen where he has a chance to do extremely well.
Verdugo should go back to OKC and see if he can get more lift on his swing without significantly increasing his strike outs. I also think he should continue to work on his defense. He has that great 1st step, but he needs to continue to make good routes to the ball. He can go back on a ball, and he has a plus plus plus arm. He is closer to becoming a good MLB OF than any minor league OF not named Victor Robles. Liberatore also goes back to OKC to work his way back up again. Farmer is better suited to go to OKC and work with Buehler, Oaks, Sborz, Sopko (and later White, Alvarez, Urias, Santana, and Ferguson).
I do not know what happens with Font. I do not know if the Dodgers try to sign him to a ML contract and hide him in OKC like they did with Culberson, or if Font says he would rather be a FA. Some ML team will want him. He and Trayce Thompson should be moved for lottery picks if nothing else. I like the prospects of Font in the pen, but if Font is added to the 25 man, who does he replace?
Many have called for a legit #2, but I do not believe that FAZ has any intentions to go in that direction. I am listening to Friedman… Friedman specifically downplayed the notion of adding a starting pitcher this offseason, citing high expectations for young-and-upcoming arms that are already in the organization:
“That’s just being more opportunistic. At some point, we really want to create an opportunity to work in some of our really young, talented, high-upside guys and let them kind of have a little bit of a runway to get acclimated so they can start to establish themselves. We’re really mindful of not just doing something to block a spot. So, if we line up on some guy who slots in at the top of our rotation, or near the top of our rotation, obviously it’s something you have to really consider.” There are only two that have been discussed… Gerrit Cole and Chris Archer. I stay high on Cole and very very mildly interested on Archer. But more importantly, I have not heard anything that might indicate that the Dodgers are in on either. There are too many question marks for both. FAZ would certainly take a call on Sale/Kluber/Keuchel/Bumgarner, but realistically the Dodgers will wait on Buehler/Urias/Oaks/White/Santana.
My one concern with the current Dodgers rotation is that it is too Left Handed. With the number of RH power bats in the NL West, they could use another RHSP.
The Dodgers could use a RH power bat for the middle of the lineup. But for now that is going to have to be Puig. I know many believe that Belly needs to be protected in the lineup, but he needs to mature and learn to protect himself. Do only what he can do, nothing more.
The Dodgers need the bridge to Jansen, but have needed it the last two years and have found that guy. I know many are unconvinced with Koehler, but those same people felt the same about Blanton and Morrow before they became that bridge. I do not know if Koehler is legit, but I am convinced that FAZ believes that Koehler/Cingrani/Garcia can be that bridge. And we know that Doc strongly believes in Baez. With the number of reliever options the Dodgers have, I think they are done with ML significant additions to the bullpen.
The one change that I do see potentially is the addition of a LH hitting or SH middle infielder. Both Jace Peterson and Erick Aybar fill that role. I like Locastro but I think he is better served to go back to OKC to continue his evolution into the super utility player. He brings a different skill set to the utility role than Kike’. Kike’ has the power, but Locastro has the speed to offset that.
One other change I would like to see is the emphasis on the bunt to counteract the shift.
I do expect to see a number of minor league contracts for borderline MLB SP, RP, and middle infielders (like LHP Henry Owens who they just picked up). OKC will again be a place to keep ML ready “just in case” players while the prospects continue to percolate at Tulsa. I would like to see Edwin Rios play 3B until he plays himself out of 3B. Matt Beaty will work on becoming an OF at OKC to increase his value. He is another of those #25/#26 players that should move up and down. The same with Rob Segedin who does have options remaining.
Now if FAZ can unload Kemp quickly….
Discussion (40)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Is Puig #8?
Happy Birthday to Billy Russell!
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You are still a young punk!
Here’s the CF Depth Chart:
1. Taylor
2. Toles
3. Hernandez
4. Verdugo
5. Bumsrap
6. Mark Timmons
7. Pederson
A lot depends on how well the Dodgers do in 2018. If they win the WS they probably won’t go after Machado or Harper. If by August the Dodgers are struggling they will want to dump payroll to best position themselves for a free agent.
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If the Dodgers want Harper or Machado regardless of 2018 results, I think Verdugo and Kemp and a pitcher for a prospect will be constantly explored. If the Yankees sign Harper the Dodgers might be willing to trade for Stanton.
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I think, and it is a lonesome thought I admit, that the best thing that could happen for the Dodgers in 2018 is for Joc to excel in CF and Taylor in 2B. I like Toles and believe he would contribute more than Forsythe.
two possible trades to consider:
Toronto get Peterson, Ryu, Libertore, and Locastro and also, Kemp. Dodgers get Tulowitski. This trade would fill the multiple needs of the Jays and would give the Dodgers a former all-star who could benefit from not having to carry the team. Would reduce salary impact on Dodgers significantly and would also provide a trade option if a team needed a RH SS who can also DH and provide leadership.
Chicago White Sox get Kemp, Peterson and Fields and Dodgers get James Shields. Dodgers give CWS a CF, LF/DH and a possible late inning reliever or closer. Dodgers get a seasoned starter who understands the art of pitching and could be a 5th starter, or a late inning reliever. Reduces salary window by $7-8M per year.
…and then there is this from my neighbor:
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https://www.wthr.com/article/battle-of-the-bulbs-winner-announced
Anyone thinking about Britton should forget about him. He recently tore his Achilles, and the recovery time is projected to be about 6 months.
If FAZ is done, I am fine. If they can make moves to get better, I am fine.
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It’s less than 2 months…
I agree with MJ. I would trade Joc before Toles or Verdugo. Joc had his opportunity and screwed it ip. Three years is long enough. He does not listen. What is wrong with having Stripling and Stewart in the pen together? I still believe Baez is going to make it this year. In one game last year they just left him in when he was getting hammered. I believe it was to teach him a lesson. He is like Joc. He does not want to listen. I think he will develop a second pitch and be very good. If Baez does not, then he should be traded. I would trade Fields.
I have a lot of confidence in Brock Stewart.You only have to look at Brock Stewarts splits last year to have an idea what he is: A High Leverage Reliever.
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He could step up as an 8th inning guy as the season progresses. If they pitch him as a reliever from early Spring, he will be a dynamite reliever. He does not have enough pitches to be a starter. You can disagree, but look at his splits:
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In his MLB CAREER:
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Starter – 37.2 IP/44 H/1.69 WHIP/5.97 ERA
Reliever – 24.2 IP/17 H/1.135 WHIP/2.19 ERA
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I mean, it is not even close. The dude is ready for the pen now. His problem is control of his curve. As a reliever, he can forget that thing. Hopefully FAZ sees what they have in him, which may be part of the reason they did not get another 8th inning guy.
On the last thread, Bobby asked if anyone know who this Craig Mish is andf posted this link:
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/report-frontrunner-emerges-in-christian-yelich-sweepstakes/ar-BBHaCBz
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I responded: He is on MTB TV and Radio and Sirius XM. He’s credible… and much as they can be because they are sometimes fed BS.
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I am certain the Dodgers are discussing Yelich. Discussions probably revolve around Verdugo and a pitcher, like Sheffield. Maybe if the Dodgers include Alvarez and $30 million, they would take Kemp.
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Yelich is a guy who hits all over the field and is good against L-R, but I have heard several people say they believe if he works on his launch angle and gets stronger, he can hit 40 HR. He just turned 26. I have always liked him.
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How about Toles, Kemp, Alvarez, Verdugo and $12 Million in 2018 and $21 Million in 2019 for Yelich?
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Here’s another prediction: The Dodgers do not trade Grandal and by June he is the Starting Catcher again.
I think I have more confidence in Stewart than most here. If he is healthy through out spring training and April, he will be pushing for a spot in the rotation IMO. The Dodgers need another righty in the rotation. If Stewart steps up, The odds of Ryu being traded increases.
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Kemp? That sums it up.
Although I have thrown out lots of trade scenarios just for the fun of it, I still stick with my original hope that the Dodgers mostly stay put as is to start the season. The exception I made to that was a hope that Morrow could be re-signed and that later in the year they could trade for Britton which is still a possibility. I also wanted to find a way to eliminate the contracts of McCarthy, Kasmir, and Gonzales.
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I should be happy with the way things are now and I am.
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AC, we are almost entirely in agreement.
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That doesn’t mean that I don’t want Yelich because I do. Would I still do a Grandal and Baez for Britton in July? Yes. By then Smith might be ready for the Dodgers and if not, keep Grandal.
Excellent analysis. I tend to agree with your proposed 25 man roster with the exception of Fields and possibly Baez in the BP. FAZ will continue to add around the margins of the roster and Fields just does not provide me with confidence at all. He throws hard but his FB seems straight and vey hittable.
I can see several more minor league contracts doled out to veteran RP’s with the hope one or two stick and FAZ catches “lighting in a bottle.” Would love to see FAZ work some magic and acquire a stud #2 SP (Cole or Archer) that somehow keeps the payroll cost neutral, but that’s a all task.
Has the FO named a new BP coach yet? I haven’t read it anywhere and would love A.J. Ellis to be that guy.
I like your plan AC. It is time to let some of the farm kids play. This also helps with salary. Fill our needs, if we have any, in July. I do hope the Dodgers will try to extend Kershaw. I want him to be a Dodger for life. He just may not opt out. He wants a WS ring. I think he has enough money to live on.
Spot on AC! I believe you may be right although FAZ is never really done. There are some bargains out there still and with some creativity the team could be upgraded. But there are SO many young players knocking on the door that deserve an opportunity. I forgot about Culberson and his unusual split contract last year that could be used on Font. The logjam in the OF will sort itself out, and a surprise NRI will probably emerge. It’s too early to weigh in on who makes the roster out of ST but it will be an open competition in the bullpen and OF. The 40 man will change some throughout the season, they like to churn the final spot with lottery tickets. They will probably find a taker for Kemp. The 25 man and the 10 day DL expand the major league roster by several spots, that will continue, and why not reward the kids with those chances? It’s a GREAT time to be a Dodger fan!
I’d like to see Buehler crack the opening day roster. I expect either Baez or Fields to be jettisoned and I’d also like a 3rd lefty in the pen. Also rooting for Locastro. We will see multiple moves, even if only minor. AAA could be loaded.