The winter meetings are upon us. Rumors are flying about who’s going to sign where and what trades will be made. There are many predictions(hopes perhaps) of the Dodgers going bold. Many have written about the Dodgers being “in on” virtually every top player. On the other hand, Pedro Moura, of the Athletic, expects them to stay pat. What’s going to happen, who knows? This is being written on Saturday morning before the meetings actually start and may not be posted until Monday. I’m hoping that something happens between now and then to give us lots to talk about.
In the meantime, for kicks and giggles, I thought it might be entertaining to go back review what the Dodgers have done during the off-season for the past decade. Get out your scorecards. The first one that can raise his or her hand and honestly state that you remember all of these transactions will be treated to a nice steak dinner by Mark T. Only requirement is that you have to fly to Indianapolis and the offer is only good until the end of this week (certain restrictions may apply). I was almost there in getting them all right, but have to admit that I totally choked on the Fu‑Te Ni transactions. How could I possibly forget? Truth is, I had forgotten that many of these players were ever actually Dodgers. I have also highlighted in bold and italics those transactions that might be considered going bold. There are very few of those.
2009 – 2010 Off-season
Dodgers basically did nada. The top free-agents signed during the winter meetings were Randy Wolf, Andy Pettite, and Rich Harden. Others like C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and Manny Ramirez would sign later.
The Dodgers activity was as follows:
- November 23, 2009: Signed Ramon Nivar as a free agent.
- December 4, 2009: Signed John Lindsey, Juan Perez, and Prentice Redman as free agents.
- December 8, 2009: Signed Tim Corcoran, Justin Miller, and Josh Towers as free agents.
- December 10, 2009: Jamie Hoffmann drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 2009 rule 5 draft. Purchased Carlos Monasterios from the New York Mets.
- December 15, 2009: Traded Juan Pierre to the Chicago White Sox for players to be named later, which turned out to be John Ely and Jon Link.
- December 21, 2009: Signed Brian Barton as a free agent.
- December 22, 2009: Signed Angel Berroa and Doug Mientkiewicz as free agents.
- Before 2010 Season; Eric Gagne received from ??? in an unknown transaction.
- January 12, 2010: Signed JD Closser, Jay Gibbons, and Argenis Reyes as free agents.
- January 21, 2010: Signed Harvey Garcia and Vicente Padilla as free agents.
- January 22, 2010: Signed Scott Dohmann, Nick Green, John Koronka, Russ Ortiz and Michael Restovich as free agents.
- January 26, 2010: Signed Brad Ausmus, Ronnie Belliard and Timo Perez as free agents.
- January 28, 2010: Signed Justin Knoedler as a free agent.
- February 1, 2010: Signed Reed Johnson as a free agent.
- February 2, 2010: Signed Ramon Ortiz and Jeff Weaver as free agents.
- February 3, 2010: Signed Alfredo Amezaga and Seth Etherton as free agents.
- February 9, 2010: Signed Brian Giles as a free agent.
- March 3, 2010: Signed Garret Anderson as a free agent.
- March 7, 2010: Signed Brandon Mann as a free agent.
- March 22, 2010: The New York Yankees returned Jamie Hoffmann (earlier draft pick), released Angel Berroa and Eric Gagne.
- March 30, 2010: Sold Eric Stults to Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Japan Central).
- March 31, 2010: Released Brian Barton, Jason Repko, and Argenis Reyes.
2010 – 2011 Off-season
Little more activity on the Dodgers part. The Angels made the biggest news committing over $330MM to Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.
Here’s a recap of the Dodgers’ off-season activity
- November 15, 2010: Signed Hiroki Kuroda as a free agent. They also traded Octavio Dotel to the Colorado Rockies for Anthony Jackson.
- November 20, 2010: Signed Jon Huber as a free agent.
- November 22, 2010: Signed Dana Eveland as a free agent.
- November 23, 2010: Signed Oscar Villarreal as a free agent.
- November 26, 2010: Signed Jon Garland as a free agent.
- November 30, 2010: Signed Juan Uribe as a free agent and traded Ryan Theriot to the St. Louis Cardinals for Blake Hawksworth.
- December 3, 2010: Signed Rod Barajas as a free agent.
- December 6, 2010: Signed Trent Oeltjen and Stu Pomeranz as a free agent.
- December 9, 2010: Signed Vicente Padilla as a free agent.
- December 11, 2010: Signed Tony Gwynn as a free agent.
- December 13, 2010: Signed Eugenio Velez as a free agent.
- December 14, 2010: Signed Juan Castro and Dioner Navarro as free agents.
- December 16, 2010: Signed Matt Guerrier as a free agent.
- December 22, 2010: Released Brent Leach.
- December 27, 2010: Traded Chin‑lung Hu to the New York Mets for Mike Antonini (minors).
- January 3, 2011: Signed Tim Redding as a free agent.
- January 12, 2011: Signed Roman Colon as a free agent.
- January 18, 2011: Signed Gabe Kapler and Marcus Thames as free agents.
- January 28, 2011: Signed Mike MacDougal and Merkin Valdez as free agents.
- February 3, 2011: Signed Ivan Ochoa as a free agent.
- February 4, 2011: Signed Ron Mahay as a free agent.
- February 9, 2011: Signed Aaron Miles as a free agent.
- February 11, 2011: Signed Juan Rincon as a free agent.
- February 16, 2011: Signed Lance Cormier as a free agent.
- March 3, 2011: Signed Randy Keisler as a free agent.
- March 5, 2011: Signed Steven Jackson as a free agent.
- March 26, 2011: Released Ron Mahay.
- March 31, 2011: Released Gabe Kapler and Juan Rincon.
2011 – 2012 Off-season
Here’s a recap of the Dodgers’ off-season activity:
- November 15, 2011: Signed Mark Ellis and Matt Treanor as free agents.
- November 20, 2011: Signed Luis Cruz as a free agent.
- November 30, 2011: Signed Adam Kennedy as a free agent.
- December 2, 2011: Signed Chris Capuano and Wil Ledezma as free agents.
- December 5, 2011: Signed Jerry Hairston as a free agent. Jamie Hoffmann selected by the Colorado Rockies off waivers.
- December 8, 2011: Signed Aaron Harang as a free agent. Traded Dana Eveland to the Baltimore Orioles for Tyler Henson (minors) and Jarret Martin (minors).
- December 13, 2011: Signed Jose Ascanio Jeff Baisley Josh Bard Alberto Castillo Matt Chico Angel Guzman Shane Lindsay Fernando Nieve Cory Sullivan Ryan Tucker as free agents.
- December 19, 2011: Signed John Grabow as a free agent.
- January 4, 2012: Signed Josh Fields as a free agent.
- January 5, 2012: Signed Mike MacDougal as a free agent.
- January 20, 2012: Signed Tim Corcoran as a free agent.
- January 31, 2012: Signed Chris Pettit as a free agent.
- February 3, 2012: Signed Todd Coffey and Andy Sisco as free agents.
- February 7, 2012: Signed Jamey Wright as a free agent.
- February 19, 2012: Signed Brent Leach as a free agent.
- February 23, 2012: Selected Matt Angle off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
- February 25, 2012: Signed Rick Bauer as a free agent.
- February 26, 2012: Signed Brian Anderson as a free agent.
- March 29, 2012: Released Josh Bard, Chris Pettit and Cory Sullivan.
- March 30, 2012: Released Matt Chico.
- March 31, 2012: Released Brian Anderson.
2012 – 2013 Off-season
Top free agents on the market were Zack Grienke, whom the Dodgers signed, Josh Hamilton and Anibal Sanchez. Dodgers also signed Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Here’s a recap of the Dodgers’ off-season activity:
- November 13, 2012: Signed Juan Abreu and Miguel Rojas as free agents.
- November 16, 2012: Signed Wilkin Castillo and Gregory Infante as free agents.
- November 19, 2012: Signed Nick Evans as a free agent.
- December 7, 2012: Signed Angel Castro as a free agent.
- December 9, 2012: Purchased Hyun‑Jin Ryu from Hanwha Eagles (Korean).
- December 10, 2012: Signed Zack Greinke as a free agent.
- December 12, 2012: Traded Jake Lemmerman to the St. Louis Cardinals for Skip Schumaker.
- December 17, 2012: Signed Dallas McPherson as a free agent.
- December 19, 2012: Signed Fabio Castro as a free agent. Traded John Ely to the Houston Astros for Rob Rasmussen.
- December 20, 2012: Signed Rusty Ryal as a free agent.
- December 27, 2012: Signed Jeremy Moore as a free agent.
- January 5, 2013: Signed Alfredo Amezaga, Brian Barden and Ramon Castro as free agents.
- January 7, 2013: Signed J.P. Howell as a free agent.
- January 8, 2013: Signed Eliezer Alfonzo as a free agent.
- January 9, 2013: Signed Matt Palmer as a free agent.
- January 15, 2013: Signed Jesus Flores as a free agent.
- January 16, 2013: Signed Victor Garate and Peter Moylan as free agents.
- February 6, 2013: Signed Sean White as a free agent.
- February 8, 2013: Signed Mark Lowe as a free agent.
- February 10, 2013: Signed Kevin Gregg as a free agent.
- March 12, 2013: Signed Dennis Santana as an amateur free agent and released Victor Garate.
- March 18, 2013: Released Ramon Castro and Nick Evans.
- March 19, 2013: Released Dallas McPherson.
- March 24, 2013: Released Mark Lowe.
- March 30, 2013: Released Wilkin Castillo.
2013 – 2014 Off-season
Basically nada:
- November 18, 2013: Signed Brendan Harris, Daniel Moskos, Clint Robinson, and Alberto Rosario as free agents.
- November 19, 2013: Signed Jamie Romak as a free agent.
- November 20, 2013: Shawn Tolleson selected by the Texas Rangers off waivers.
- November 25, 2013: Signed Dan Haren as a free agent.
- December 2, 2013: Ronald Belisario granted Free Agency.
- December 7, 2013: Signed Brian Wilson as a free agent.
- December 12, 2013: Signed Sam Demel as a free agent. Purchased Seth Rosin from the New York Mets.
- December 13, 2013: Signed Juan Abreu, Josh Bell, Drew Carpenter, Josh Judy, Fu‑Te Ni, Josh Ravin, Romulo Sanchez, and Henry Sosa as free agents.
- December 20, 2013: Signed J.P. Howell as a free agent.
- December 24, 2013: Signed Chris Perez Juan Uribe and Jamey Wright as free agents.
- January 9, 2014: Released Josh Bell.
- January 17, 2014: Signed Miguel Olivo as a free agent.
- January 18, 2014: Signed Ryan Adams as a free agent.
- January 22, 2014: Signed Trayvon Robinson as a free agent.
- January 24, 2014: Signed Chone Figgins as a free agent.
- January 29, 2014: Signed Aaron Bates as a free agent.
- February 6, 2014: Signed Justin Turner as a free agent.(one of the best things Colletti did!)
- February 8, 2014: Signed Paul Maholm as a free agent.
- February 20, 2014: Signed Tyson Brummett as a free agent.
- February 22, 2014: Signed Erisbel Arruebarrena as an amateur free agent.
- February 27, 2014: Signed Steve Edlefsen as a free agent.
- March 2, 2014: Sold Justin Sellers to the Cleveland Indians.
- March 3, 2014: Signed Ryan Sadowski as a free agent.
- March 26, 2014: Javy Guerra selected by the Chicago White Sox off waivers and Seth Rosin selected by the Texas Rangers off waivers.
- March 29, 2014: Released Fu‑Te Ni.
2014 – 2015 Off-season
Probably the Dodger’s most active offseason and Winter Meetings as FAZ went on a trading blitzkrieg to rework the composition of the team.
- November 17, 2014: Traded Craig Stem to the Miami Marlins for Kyle Jensen..
- November 20, 2014: Traded Greg Harris and Jose Dominguez to the Tampa Bay Rays for Adam Liberatore and Joel Peralta. Onelki Garcia selected by the Chicago White Sox off waivers.
- November 22, 2014: Purchased Mike Bolsinger from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- November 24, 2014: Traded Noel Cuevas to the Colorado Rockies for Juan Nicasio.
- November 26, 2014: Sold Ryan Jackson to the Kansas City Royals.
- December 2, 2014: Traded Matt Magill to the Cincinnati Reds for Chris Heisey.
- December 5, 2014: Selected Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
- December 9, 2014: Traded Drew Butera to the Los Angeles Angels for Matt Long.
- December 11, 2014: Traded Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas and cash to the Miami Marlins for Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney and Enrique Hernandez. Traded Andrew Heaney to the Los Angeles Angels for Howie Kendrick.
- December 16, 2014: Signed Brandon McCarthy as a free agent.
- December 18, 2014: Traded Tim Federowicz, Matt Kemp and cash to the San Diego Padres for Zach Eflin, Yasmani Grandal and Joe Wieland.
- December 19, 2014: Released Brian Wilson. Traded Tom Windle and Zach Eflin to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jimmy Rollins and cash. Ryan Lavarnway selected by the Chicago Cubs off waivers.
- December 22, 2014: Signed Ryan Buchter as a free agent.
- December 24, 2014: Signed Lars Anderson as a free agent.
- December 27, 2014: Signed Matt Carson as a free agent.
- December 31, 2014: Signed Brett Anderson as a free agent.
- January 3, 2015: Signed Ali Solis and Chin‑hui Tsao as free agents.
- January 8, 2015: Signed Sergio Santos as a free agent.
- January 9, 2015: Signed David Huff as a free agent.
- January 18, 2015: Signed Erik Bedard as a free agent.
- January 20, 2015: Signed Ben Rowen as a free agent.
- January 28, 2015: Signed Jeremy Horst as a free agent.
- January 30, 2015: Signed B.J. Rosenberg as a free agent.
- February 5, 2015: Signed Ramon Troncoso as a free agent.
- February 12, 2015: Signed Dustin Richardson as a free agent.
- February 19, 2015: Signed David Aardsma as a free agent.
- February 21, 2015: Signed Brandon Beachy as a free agent and released Ali Solis.
- February 23, 2015: Signed Dustin McGowan as a free agent.
- February 25, 2015: Signed Chad Gaudin as a free agent.
- March 1, 2015: Signed Mike Adams as a free agent.
- March 5, 2015: Signed Ali Solis as a free agent.
- March 30, 2015: Signed Freddy Garcia as a free agent.
- March 31, 2015: Signed Deck McGuire as a free agent. Purchased Elliot Johnson from the Texas Rangers. Released Dustin McGowan.
2015 – 2016 Off-season
Not as active as the prior year, the Dodgers continued to add pieces of the puzzle in their quest to get younger and better:
- November 13, 2015: Signed Brett Anderson as a free agent.
- November 19, 2015: Signed Charlie Culberson, Dustin Richardson, and Matt West as free agents.
- December 7, 2015: Selected Daniel Fields off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.
- December 9, 2015: Signed Chase Utley as a free agent.
- December 11, 2015: Signed Lisalverto Bonilla as a free agent.
- December 16, 2015: As part of a 3‑team trade, traded Brandon Dixon, Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler to the Cincinnati Reds for Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson from the Chicago White Sox. In addition, the Cincinnati Reds sent Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox.
- December 17, 2015: Signed Daniel Corcino Alex Hassan Elian Herrera and Rico Noel as free agents.
- December 18, 2015: Traded player to be named or cash to the Seattle Mariners for Tyler Olson.
- December 30, 2015: Signed Scott Kazmir as a free agent.
- January 6, 2016: Signed Brandon Beachy as a free agent.
- January 7, 2016: Signed Kenta Maeda as a free agent. Lost Daniel Fields off waivers.
- January 12, 2016: Traded Tyler Olson and Ronald Torreyes to the New York Yankees. For Rob Segedin and player to be named or cash. Traded Joe Wieland to the Seattle Mariners for Erick Mejia.
- January 13, 2016: Signed Corey Brown and Jordan Schafer as free agents.
- January 19, 2016: Signed Joe Blanton as a free agent.
- February 1, 2016: Signed Brandon Hicks as a free agent.
- February 3, 2016: Signed Chin‑hui Tsao as a free agent.
- February 4, 2016: Signed Howie Kendrick as a free agent.
- February 19, 2016: Signed Louis Coleman as a free agent.
- February 22, 2016; Signed Jamey Wright as a free agent.
- February 27, 2016: Released Brooks Brown.
2016 – 2017 Off-season
A little less active, but the Dodgers made efforts to preserve the core by resigning Turner and Jensen.
- November 11, 2016: Traded Howie Kendrick to the Philadelphia Phillies for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney.
- November 17, 2016: Signed Madison Younginer as a free agent.
- December 5, 2016: Signed Rich Hill as a free agent.
- December 6, 2016: Signed Tyler Holt as a free agent.
- December 8, 2016: Drafted Edward Paredes from the Detroit Tigers in the 2016 rule 5 draft.
- December 21, 2016: Signed Wilmer Font as a free agent.
- December 23, 2016: Signed Justin Turner as a free agent.
- December 29, 2016: Signed Fabio Castillo as a free agent.
- December 30, 2016: Signed Steve Geltz as a free agent.
- January 3, 2017: Signed Bobby Wilson as a free agent.
- January 10, 2017: Signed Kenley Jansen as a free agent.
- January 11, 2017: Signed Jose Miguel Fernandez as an amateur free agent.
- January 13, 2017: Traded Micah Johnson to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named or cash.
- January 23, 2017: Traded Jose De Leon to the Tampa Bay Rays for Logan Forsythe.
- January 25, 2017: Traded Jordan Tarsovich to the Oakland Athletics for Brett Eibner.
- January 26, 2017: Signed Ike Davis and Brandon Morrow as free agents.
- January 30, 2017: Traded Carlos Frias to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash.
- February 14, 2017: Signed Colt Hynes as a free agent.
- February 15, 2017: Signed Sergio Romo as a free agent.
- February 18, 2017: Signed Chase Utley as a free agent. Released Darin Ruf.
- February 19, 2017: Traded Vidal Nuno III to the Baltimore Orioles for Ryan Moseley.
- February 20, 2017: Signed Franklin Gutierrez as a free agent.
- March 1, 2017: Traded Chase De Jong to the Seattle Mariners for Aneurys Zabala and Drew Jackson.
- March 27, 2017: Signed Justin Masterson as a free agent.
- March 30, 2017: Signed Jair Jurrjens as a free agent.
2017 – 2018 Off-season
Relatively quiet off-season:
- November 14, 2017: Signed Manny Banuelos as a free agent and released Jose Miguel Fernandez.
- November 20, 2017: Signed Travis Taijeron as a free agent. Sold Josh Ravin to the Atlanta Braves and Grant Dayton selected by the Atlanta Braves off waivers.
- November 24, 2017: Signed Jesen Therrien as a free agent. (For the benefit of AC!)
- November 26, 2017: Signed Pat Venditte as a free agent.
- December 16, 2017: Traded Charlie Culberson, Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and cash to the Atlanta Braves for Matt Kemp. (Certainly one of the more creative trades)
- December 20, 2017: Signed Tom Koehler as a free agent.
- December 22, 2017: Selected Henry Owens off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- January 1, 2018: Signed C.C. Lee as a free agent.
- January 4, 2018: Traded Luis Avilan and cash to the Chicago White Sox and Erick Mejia and Trevor Oaks to the Kansas City Royals for Jake Peter from the Chicago White Sox and Scott Alexander from the Kansas City Royals. In addition, the Kansas City Royals sent Joakim Soria and cash to the Chicago White Sox.
- January 18, 2018: Signed Zach Neal and Donovan Solano as free agents.
- January 28, 2018: Signed Guillermo Moscoso as a free agent.
- January 29, 2018: Signed Mark Lowe as a free agent.
- February 13, 2018: Released Colt Hynes.
- February 15, 2018: Signed Brian Schlitter as a free agent.
- February 17, 2018: Signed Chase Utley as a free agent.
- February 18, 2018: Signed Tyler Colvin Justin De Fratus and Cesar Ramos as free agents.
- February 23, 2018: Selected JT Chargois off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.
- February 25, 2018: Signed Rocky Gale as a free agent.
- March 12, 2018: Released Mark Lowe.
- March 25, 2018: Released Jordan Jankowski.
- March 27, 2018: Signed Logan Ondrusek as a free agent. Selected Cory Mazzoni off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.
- March 29, 2018: Cory Mazzoni selected by the Chicago Cubs off waivers.
2018 – 2019 Off-season
Another quiet off-season:
- November 11, 2018: Signed Kevin Quackenbush as a free agent.
- November 14, 2018: Signed Hyun‑Jin Ryu as a free agent.
- November 20, 2018: Signed Daniel Castro as a free agent. Released Tom Koehler.
- November 21, 2018: Released Erik Goeddel and Zac Rosscup. Traded Tim Locastro to the New York Yankees for Drew Finley and cash.
- November 28, 2018: Purchased Adam McCreery from the Atlanta Braves.
- December 13, 2018: Connor Joe drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2018 rule 5 draft. Drew Jackson drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2018 rule 5 draft.
- December 21, 2018: Signed Joe Kelly as a free agent. Traded Kyle Farmer, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and cash to the Cincinnati Reds for Jeter Downs, Josiah Gray and Homer Bailey (I came close to classifying this trade as going bold, however, I decided just to label it among the more creative of trades).
- December 22, 2018: Released Homer Bailey.
- December 31, 2018: Signed Shane Peterson as a free agent.
- January 3, 2019: Signed Paulo Orlando as a free agent.
- January 4, 2019: Signed Cameron Perkins as a free agent.
- January 8, 2019: Traded Caleb Sampen to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jaime Schultz.
- January 11, 2019: Traded Ronny Brito and Andrew Sopko to the Toronto Blue Jays for Russell Martin and cash.
- January 17, 2019: Signed Josh Thole as a free agent.
- January 25, 2019: Signed Justin De Fratus as a free agent.
- January 26, 2019: Signed A.J. Pollock as a free agent.
- January 29, 2019: Signed Ezequiel Carrera as a free agent.
- February 5, 2019: Signed Cody Asche as a free agent.
- February 7, 2019: Signed J.D. Martin as a free agent.
- February 14, 2019: Signed Andrew Faulkner as a free agent.
- February 27, 2019: Signed Brad Miller as a free agent.
- March 3, 2019: Signed Michael Bowden as a free agent.
- March 7, 2019: Selected Donnie Hart off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
- March 10, 2019: Released Josh Fields.
- March 21, 2019: Released Brad Miller.
- March 24, 2019: Signed Justin Grimm as a free agent.
- March 26, 2019: Signed Rob Zastryzny as a free agent and released Cody Asche.
2019 – 2020 Off-season
To be determined.
Now that you have come, this far, please continue with your regularly scheduled program and speculate on the proposed trades and free-agent signings! But, as you can see, the winter meetings have not always been as active as we hoped. Let’s check-in next week and see what happened. GO BOLD!
Discussion (94)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Well darn, I wanted Cole in my Christmas stocking, now I may get coal in my Christmas stocking. We still have options.
Cole is most likely out of Friedman’s price range. Friedman is not going to trade Lux (I agree with that). Does anyone believe Friedman would trade any of Muncy, Turner, Seager (if I HAD TO trade 1 it would be Seager but I wouldn’t do it) to make room for Rendon or Donaldson (I don’t want either)?
So who is left on the free agent market that is a difference maker?
Ryu? I don’t know if he will be as good as May or Gonsolin (by the way Urias has way better stats as a reliever). Maybe the first year of Ryu’s contract, possibly 2nd year but I doubt it. But Ryu is going to sign for more than 2 years. Do you sign Ryu?
I know I keep talking about the bullpen, but that is why we lost game 5 in the playoffs. That and starting Hill in game 4 was a huge mistake that I saw coming from a mile away. Also sticking with Pollock and Seager against their weak sided pitching counterparts and not using Freese enough.
But I don’t want to re-hash the playoffs. How about shoring up the 7th, 8th, 9th innings of our bullpen? It would bump everyone else down a notch and make the bullpen way better.
Will Harris is still out there on the free agent market (7th inning). Why not take a chance on Giles 1 year contract, it won’t take much to get him (8th inning). The last piece will cost a lot in players in a trade, a closer (9th inning), My preference Hader, maybe Lugo from the Mets, maybe Bummer from the Chi-Sox but that would move Giles to the closer spot (I don’t have a problem with that).
I predicted Rendon and Ryu back in September. I will stick with that prediction. I think it will come down to the Dodgers and Rangers for Rendon. Count me as someone who would be disappointed if they signed Donaldson to a multi-year deal.
Dodgers still allegedly after “elite” talent, per MLB Trade Rumors:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/west-news-rumors-pham-padres-dodgers-giants.html
Does anyone think the Dodgers are really in on Cole, or just being used to drive the bidding up?
Not sure myself.
2022 lineup
C Smith and Ruiz
1B Bellinger
2B Downs
3B Hoese
SS Lux
LF Beatty
CF Kimdall
RF Verdugo
Buehler, Urias, May, Gonsolin, Fergusson
Sell the Dodgers to someone who has the money to compete with the franchises which do.
The long-term contracts can be burdensome at the tail end, but if you can give a great pitcher or hitter nine years, and he is really good for six of them, it has paid off. I wonder how much it was to sign Kazmir, Pollock, Kelly, and a few others, to the shorter contracts, and then have them not achieve anything, at least so far? Maybe all the other owners are stupid, and the Dodgers and Tampa Bay are the only smart ones? I’d rather put a whole lot of money into a great player, then get three middling players . That’s what Cashman thinks. Let’s see who does better in the next five years.
Maybe Strasburg has made incremental adjustments that have brought his game to a new level. But personally, I have never considered him to be an elite pitcher. Very good, yes, superstar, no. IMO, he is a very good pitcher who got hot at just the right time, and is not worth anything near what he got today. If I’m right (and I’ve been wrong a lot), then today’s contract is the very definition of a “dope fiend” move),
I’m pretty sure at least one of May, Gonsolin, and Gray will be better than Wheeler. May could better than Wheeler in 2020!
These salaries are increasing much faster than the luxury tax threshold. Sooner or later the S…. gonna hit the fan!
Maybe the Nats don’t have any money left for Rendon?
Draft and develop your own studs. Overpriced FA on the wrong side of 30 are for chumps!
I think Friedman anticipated this when he said the Dodgers don’t have to do anything.
Patience Grasshoppers. Let the game come to you.
Friedman has them right where he wants them.
I don’t think this insane money stops at free agents. I think trades are going to become more pricey in terms of players.
I could actually see AF giving Rendon 7/250 if that would get it done. We don’t have a third baseman ready to take over for JT and I don’t see Seager as a long term solution at third. I’m not even sure we’ll sign him when his contract is up in two years. It’s all a matter of how badly the Rangers or Phillies want him because I’m not at all sure that 7/250 will get the deal done.
Thor in July
I recognize that there were some frivolous comments with respect to the unconscionable enormity of Stephen Strasburg’s contract. But this craziness started with Middleton and the Phillies spending “stupid money” on a good but not elite (except one year) Bryce Harper last year. That triggered “stupid money” for Manny Machado.
This year Middleton doubled down on stupid money with the Zach Wheeler contract. Zach Wheeler may have promise (and possibly not), but he has never demonstrated an ability to exact a $118MM over 5 year contract. That much to a pitcher who could very well become the next Jordan Zimmerman? Of course this was subsequent to the 4 year $64MM contract for Mike Moustakas, which was subsequent to the inane 4 year $34MM contract for Drew Pomeranz. Kyle Gibson should fire his agent for a lousy 3 year $30MM contract.
Where does Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon end up. It is reported that Cole’s market is developing very quickly and will be signing before the end of the week. It has to be in excess of $300MM, a contract that I could not fathom last week. Jon Heyman is reporting a nine or ten year deal is expected at an amount greater than $300MM. It seems probable that he will sign quickly as it appears that only NYY and LAA will be bidding on Cole. I would not be surprised at all to see Cole sign with NYY for 9 years $320MM.
It is now reported that Boras is asking for a 7 year deal for Rendon. What happened to the less years higher AAV contract that he wanted? If Arenado got $260MM for 8 years, I can imagine Boras looking at 7 years for $250MM. Texas still figures to be the favorite for Rendon.
Both Cole’s and Rendon’s contracts seem out of synch with what we have experienced with AF’s appetite for FA contracts. Maybe this is the new normal and AF is going to have to pony up to play. But not this year. Next year’s FA starting pitchers will be headlined by Trevor Bauer, Marcus Stroman, and Robbie Ray. If this year is any indication, Mike Minor might be in for a 9 figure contract. Jake Odorizzi has to be kicking himself for accepting the QO. The owners are going to have to come to their senses next year, and that group of FA pitchers is going to take the hit. At least one would hope.
With these insane contracts for starting pitching, Boras has already stated that he is looking for 4 years for Ryu. Does anyone really believe that someone is not going to offer 4 years $80MM? Teams that lost out on Cole, Strasburg, and Wheeler might be inclined to go after a MadBum/Ryu package. LAA would be better off signing MadBum and Ryu for significantly less money than Cole. LAA needs more than Cole to contend. Cole by himself makes sense for NYY and LAD, but I cannot see AF playing in this arena. He is going to sign with NYY and the Angels will go after 2 of MadBum, Ryu, and Keuchel. The same for Twins.
What is even more problematic for LAD is that Corey Seager (2022 FA), Cody Bellinger (2024 FA), and Julio Urias (2024 FA) are all Boras clients. Unless the new CBA completely overhauls the CBT thresholds, there is no way LAD can sign all three without getting into the extreme penalty realm.
These dope fiend contracts is why I admittedly stopped watching baseball in 2015 and 2016 and only watched the playoffs in 2017 before returning to watch and follow the Dodgers consistently since 2018. I couldn’t stay away permanently from the team (the Dodgers) that I have followed since 1977/1978.
Time to focus on the trade market, or make sure that May, Gonsolin and Gray develop into the next Cole or Strasburg.
Even though it isn’t my money, it would pain me to pay that much for either Cole or Strasburg. Heck, I would choke on paying Ryu $54,000,000.00. I’m not confidant that bringing him back, gets us over the hump to a WS championship. The $$$ is getting crazy this winter!!!
With the Strasburg contract and the rumor that Cole is seeking a 9 year deal, maybe the Dodgers would be wise to keep out of the feeding frenzy. It looks like Donaldson is seeking a 4 year contract now. I wonder what Rendon is looking for? I want the Dodgers to get Cole and Rendon, but with the numbers being quoted in the rumor mill, I just don’t see it. Maybe the team turns to the trade market. Are there any pitchers available for trade?
Man, oh man!
Cole 10 years/$320 Million?
This is beyond a dope-fiend move!
I guarantee that between Strasburg and Cole, one of their arms will fall off.
I also would not give Ryu any more than $54/3 years.
Donaldson 4 years/$100,000,000? Freaky!
I ain’t drinking that Kool-Ade.
MLB Trade Rumors reporting BorASS is seeking 9 or 10 years for Cole.
Gotta think this could put Cole in the 8/300 range. Insane! No way Dodgers going there. Looks like we’re back to Ryu. And is supposed AF interest in Rendon smoke or fire? Time will tell but so think best we could hope for is Ryu and right handed bat not named Rendon
With the rumors surrounding Betts and the Dodgers, what would the Dodgers have to give up to get Betts along with Price. I am not a Price fan but it seems this front office tends to use its surplus cash to make deals where they take on salary. Also, could Price be a reliever option?
7 years, $245 million for Strasburg. Wow!
Hopefully it is not too silly, but Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Strasburg is close to finalizing a new deal with the Nationals. Rosenthal reports that the Nats are confident it will get done. Fans cannot get upset with AF if Stras re-signs with the Nats. I guess they can, but Washington was always the favorite.
UPDATE – Jon Heyman says that it is a done deal. No terms disclosed yet.
I have no idea what your point is.
We are all the uninformed here. My point in calling that fan blog thing silly is because we are giving it undo respect and import. As we’ve discussed, he’s barely (if that) more credible than i am. Again, we are all the uninformed. I don’t take your posts as anything but ideas and day-dreams AND THEY are much more informed than mine, but they are yours and we take them at face value. Bringing in some other fan and treating him as any type of valued voice is silly. It’s silly.
As for what i think are your other points:
1. Obviously my trade ideas are barely worth the pixels they are rendered with. I work in marketing for a music start-up and create trade scenarios using a web-app made by fans with too much time on their hands. If that’s not an absurd scenario, i don’t know what is. If you want to call them silly when posted, you can.
2. I agree. History has shown Bowden (and Nightengale for that matter) to be barely (if that) more credible than the aspiring Mr. Williams. I would dismiss then all in the same nano-second i dismiss my own and all the others here. They are either click-bait or loosely formed ideas and dreams. But at least Bowden has a resume that import some value. Sadly his history as a columnist has impacted that.
Let’s have fun and how the dodgers win?
After listening to Stan Kasten, I can only conclude that the Dodgers are in on everybody who is a starting pitcher, relief pitcher or a hitter.
Now we have Scott Boras comparing the winter meetings to movies. Last year, it was Slo Burn, this year Fast and Furious.
Then you have Jim Duquette saying the two teams at the winter meetings who have to do something are the Dodgers and the Yankees. Are the Angels actually going to spend one billion dollars (Mike Trout contract, purchase of the stadium and land) in a few months because that is what it would be if they sign Gerrit Cole.
Are the Dodgers really in on Cole? Maybe the target is Stephen Strasburg or Anthony Rendon, not Cole. Just how does Rendon fit? What happens with Max Muncy and Gavin Lux. Maybe Lux plays outfield for a year. Can Muncy play outfield?
Maybe they just go for Ryu and improve the bullpen. That makes Pedro Moura right.
Does anybody speak Kasten? He used a lot of words to say absolutely nothing, other than he doesn’t like being called cheap.
Lux is not available. That’s pretty clear.
The Dodgers are working the trade market hard. No question about it. But which Dodgers are available. As Duquette pointed out, they’ve got a lot of really good players.
What’s smoke and what’s real? Did the Dodgers actually meet with Cole? Pretty certain they met with Strasburg and Rendon.
Will Cole actually reach $280 million or maybe even $300 million. Nobody is that crazy. Or maybe they are. For a guy who plays every five days? It’s all about the playoffs for teams like the Yankees and Dodgers.
Okay, I’m not certain of much, but enough of the Cory Seager trade talk. That’s not going to happen.
.
What a list of players you compiled 2D2. Some I recognized and knew, some that brought back a lot of trade memories, good and bad, and lots I did not remember, sorry to say. Thank you. It made my morning coffee taste better.
Trade Pollock, Pederson, Hernandez, and Maeda. That should get a couple of relievers and a couple of prospects.
Sign Cole for 7 years/$265 Million.
Sign Castellanos… Yes, Casty!
1. Verdugo RF
2. Castellanos LF
3. Bellinger CF
4. Muncy 1B
5. Turner 3B
6. Seager SS
7. Lux 2B
8. Smith /Ruiz C
Rotation:
1. Cole
2. Buehler
3. Urias
4. Kershaw
5. May
Pen:
Bummer
Jansen
Gonsolin
Baez
Stripling
Alexander
Ferguson
Harris
Bench:
Taylor
Beaty
Rios
Garlick
No Mark this question was not directed to you,I personally am tired of Seager being mentioned in trade talk. HE a DODGER.
This nonsense of trading Seager needs to stop. We only have Turner for one more year if a trade is being made for a 3rd baseman move Muncie to First seater to short lux at 2nd Turner a pinch hitter.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports on Twitter that the club is open to discussing trade scenarios involving A.J. Pollock and Enrique Hernandez, along with the previously rumored Joc Pederson. From MLBtradeRumors.com
I think that getting Cole is an unprobable dream. With teams like NY and the Angels opening up their bank accounts and declaring their intentions they are liable to do something stupid. I hope we don’t, even tho I would love to have him.
Dodgers in on Ryu.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/dodgers-interested-in-re-signing-hyun-jin-ryu.html
The article thinks 3 years 54 million.
I think with the Yankees bid on Cole the Dodgers should take care of business elsewhere before it’s too late.
Just sign Ryu for 3 years, sign Will Harris, trade for Giles and Hader, that should cost about 40 million this season and under the luxury tax cap. Make a 5 year 175 million offer to Strasburg, if the Dodgers get Strasburg great, they will be over the luxury tax cap but Strasburg is worth it.
You get a good starting pitcher, you fix the bullpen and then you wait for the prize Strasburg.
Just put Muncy at 3B and leave him there and put Turner at 1B to hopefully extend his career.
If the Dodgers stand pat, or close to it, I will not follow the regular season. That will not bother the Dodgers ownership, of course, but when they see a great dropoff in general interest, given that there will at least four or five teams out there which will have a better chance to win the title, and thus the fans in general will not want to slog through a long season which will very likely end early in the playoffs, this might. So let us hope that the rumors of the Dodgers doing next to nothing, are wrong. If the Yankees get Cole, they are the clear favorite to win it all. If the Dodgers get him, they are. So which is it to be, Mr. Walter and M r. Kasten and all the rest of the people who make up the large amount of Dodgers owners?
With a long list like that 2D2, it’s clear the Dodgers have been active. Can’t confuse action with results though.
Great info D2D. Love looking at all of the names, most recognized, some not so much. Looking forward to tomorrow for whatever the meetings may bring.
7 years $245M = Yankees offer to Cole.
Bluto, you may think equating money and championships is silly but having Garret Cole in Dodger Blue next year greatly increases our chances of winning a WS. There’s no question about that! Watch what happens in Vegas if we sign Cole