The Dodgers currently have six players with long term deals. Ohtani, Yamamoto, Betts, Freeman, Glasnow and Smith. Ohtani, 10 years, 700 million. Yamamoto, 12 years, 325 million. Betts, 13 years, over 300 million, Smith, 10 years, 160 million, Freeman, 6 years, 165 million, Glasnow, 5 years, around 125 million. The 5th year of his deal has a 30-million-dollar team option and a 21.5-million-dollar player option.
Ohtani will be 39 when his deal is done, Mookie the same. Glasnow, 34, Yamamoto, 37, Freeman, 37 and Smith will be 38. Freddie has three more years on his deal after this year, so the chances are that he will be the first one of these six to leave the team. Will the rest of these players remain Dodgers for the full term of their contract? How good will Ohtani be when he reaches his mid-30’s? Freeman is having his worst season as a Dodger so far. Yep, bad year, .292 avg, 16 homers and 66 driven in over 100 games. Freddie is normally an excellent hitter in the second half, so he has a chance to get back to .300.
I doubt teams expect players on these long-term deals to do well in their later seasons. Neither do they expect them to just totally fall on their face. But skills tend to fade in the mid-30’s and that should be expected of all. There in MLB history have been some good, and some not so good long-term deals. The Angels signing Albert Pujols at the age of 32 for 10 years, might have been just a tad too long. But that is what it took to get the best hitter of his generation to Anaheim.
But if you look at the 12 years he spent in St. Louis and compare them to the 10 years he was an Angel, well, he was nowhere near that player. .326/.417/.614 1.031. BA/OBP/SLG OPS. Pretty impressive. Same stats as an Angel. .256/.311/.417 .758. That is quite a drop-off. But Albert was 41 in that last year, he was released and signed by the Dodgers where he had a re-birth of sorts. Pujols drove in 100 or more runs every year of his Cardinal tenure until his last, when he drove in 99. As an Angel, he did it four times, the last time in 2016. He hit 40 or more 6 times in St. Louis. He did it once in Anaheim.
There are always exceptions to the rule. Ted Williams won an AL batting title when he was 39. He also won it the year before when he was 38 and hit .388. At age 40, Williams hit under .300 for the only time in his entire career when he finished at .254. He played one more season and hit .316 at age 41. Barry Bonds last five full seasons were better than his first five. That never happens.
Looking at what the Dodgers did, for the next 3 seasons after 24, those six guys will be a huge part of the story. Smith may or may not move to another position from catcher sometime in the next three seasons. That all depends on the development of the current catchers in the system. Smith might benefit at some point by moving to third or first. I am really not sure the Dodgers would consider adding a couple of years to Freeman’s contract. That would depend a lot on how he looks in the final year of his deal.
Ohtani becomes a two-way player next season, and the Dodgers have to hope that his arm troubles are a thing of the past. One thing about Ohtani’s contract, with all the deferred money, anything he generates during his time in a Dodger uniform is gravy for the owners. Very few players have enough drawing power to put extra butts in the seats. In 81, it was once calculated that when Fernando pitched, attendance increased by 10,000 fans. That was a lot of money in 81, that number would be huge in this era.
In the international market, the Dodger brand is more popular than it has ever been. You can clearly see that just by how many Dodger fans travel with the team, and the diverse cultures who now love Dodger baseball. While watching Sunday’s ESPN game, the number of Ohtani jerseys in the stands was huge. And when, if ever, have you seen a parade of a couple thousand Dodger fans marching together to Yankee Stadium. That was mind blowing.
The Angels benefited at the box office during Pujols time, especially when he passed a milestone. He hit # 500 and #600 in an Angel uniform. #600 was a grand slam. Dodger Stadium was filled to capacity when the Cardinals came in for their final visit in 2022. Albert got the loudest cheers of any player that series. Then in the Cardinals 11-0 romp, he hit # 699 and then #700. The crowd went nuts. Even though he was no longer a Dodger, they made a ton of money that night.
Where the Angels did not benefit, and the Dodgers hope to, was with a lot of playoff baseball. Only in 2014, when Pujols was 34, did the Trout-Pujols tandem make the playoffs. Albert hit .167 in that series. As a Dodger he was 5-17 in their three-playoff series. Ohtani and Trout never made it to the playoffs. Mookie and Ohtani hope to do much better.
For the players, their money is guaranteed. They are going to be paid if they perform well or not. The ownership of the team is the one that is taking the most risk. Especially when the contracts run into the players late 30’s. Like I said earlier, of guys on long term deals, Barry Bonds is the only one who got better as he aged. The Giants got their money’s worth.
Will Guggenheim make money from these guys? Will they be worth the millions they are making? Only time will tell. I am 76 years old. When Yamamoto’s contract is over, if my health holds and I make it that far, I would be 88. I would love to be around to see just how all of these big deals pan out. Will the Dodgers go large this winter too? Everyone says they want the Japanese pitcher, Sasaki. Many think they should go after Juan Soto, who will only be 26 years old when next season starts. My guess is that the kid is going to get 500 million at least. Should be interesting to see if the owners make the money available.
No affiliate games on Monday. Dodgers win a thriller against the Giants. River Ryan goes 5.1 innings in his debut. Teo drives in all three runs with a homer and two singles. Treinen gets the win, and Hudson the save.
Excellent MLB debut by River Ryan!
Dodgers should sign Teo NOW long term!He is the glue that holds that lineup together with Mookie and MM out.
Over on Marks board norcaldodgerfan put togehter this list of starters who would be options for the 2025 rotation ( I hope he is okay that I post his list over here):
Ohtani
CK
Yamamoto
Glasnow
Ryan
Miller
Wrobleski
Sheehan
May
Gonsolin
Frasso
Knack
Stone
Hurt
Grove
We might even include Sasaki who is rumored to come to the Dodgers next winter. But even without him that is an abundance of starting pitching. IMHO it makes it highly possible and even necessary to make a huge trade at the deadline to bring in a top starter like Crochet or Skubal. We simply can not keep them all or protect all of the kids from the Rule 5 draft.
So a package trade including 2-3 of the kids proabably will and should go down.
Looking at some names and how they already have proven they can get MLB hitters out (Ryan, Wrobleski , Knack) I also believe we can match any offer the Orioles could present. It just depends on how much the Dodgers want to give up in pitching.
Can also sweeten any deal with a Rushing, Cartaya or Freeland, Liranzo. dePaula the one untouchable for me though not a deal breaker for Skubal.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No objection with the posting at LADC. I know some of these pitchers are coming back from surgery and serious arm injuries, but the abundance of SP for 2025 options leads me to believe some may be included in a trade deadline move.
Right now I would like to see AF get at least 1 SP and 1 BP piece and a veteran OF.
I could see that, and he could do it with one trade. Arozarena, Elfin, and Fairbanks from the Rays. AF is not going to make some knee jerk trade where 5-6 prospects go for just one player.
Beat the drum, but Skubal is not coming to Los Angeles and those packages are way to rich for Crochet. He is too much of a question mark.
6 0fers and a W. SF does not look like a very good club. Maybe that’s why they are 12 games behind.
Yes, the Dodgers have plenty of talent at their disposal. I’m sure they will soon dispose much of it. Anticipation. It’s making us wait. A centerfielder, a shortstop and more pitching would be great.
I’m sure some of you have noticed the decline of Evan Phillips and the rise of Daniel Hudson. Since early May, Phillips has gone from 0.66 ERA to 3.77 and 2 blown saves. Hudson, in the same time period, has gone from 3.60 ERA to 1.52. Time for the changing of the guard here? Vesia is also doing quite well.
Every pitcher I have ever seen goes through a patch like he is now. And they are pretty sure it is something mechanical. He will be fine, just give him time. Isaw Koufax get rocked for 4 homers in the coliseum.
Good article Bear. Long term contracts are a risky propositions for most teams. With the deferral aspect and Guggenheim’s business of successfully investing money, the long term contract risk is greatly reduced for the Dodgers. In fact, it could allow ownership to actually make money in the long term. With Ohtani’s huge 10 year deal they could invest the money they would normally be paying Ohtani per year and possibly doubling (or more) it over those ten years. It’s a cleaver way to manage the excessive salary cap penalties.
Another successful debut for a Dodger starting pitcher. Ryan has had a rapid rise since being drafted in the 11th round by San Diego. Thank you Matt Beatty and the Padres. Ryan had made only eight starts this season before last night. I’m sure the nerves were there for Ryan. He seemed to have a nice assortment of pitches. Understandably, his control wasn’t spot on, but you can see the talent is there to be a long term fixture as a #3-4 starter. Or, a possible trade chip for the right deal.
It seems like an avalanche of players are returning from the IL. I was surprised by the Paxton DFA. He was one the few injury free starters so far this year and they release him. I assume the front office is confident with the current staff, youngsters and the returning infirmed. It gets me thinking that maybe many of these injuries were actually R&R stints.
With Paxton’s release it could mean one of two things. AF is close to making a trade for a starter. Or, they are very confident that all the returning pitchers have a good chance to finish out the season healthy. Regardless, the strategy of the front office’s moves or non moves will be controversial. If the Dodgers fail to win a World Series many of posters here and on other blogs will have had the perfect solution to winning a World Series (sarcasm Bluto. Lol. I’m still searching for that sarcasm emoji).
Carry on.
Your welcome Ted. In an article on MLBTR, Gomes said the Dodgers are searching for an IMPACT arm, not an innings eater. There are very few of those out there. Cubs won’t trade Steele, who is a lock down lefty, and despite all the rumors to the contrary, the Tigers most likely will not trade Skubal. Flaherty and Crochet fit the description at this point. But the price for Crochet is through the roof, and the Dodgers have been rebuffed once already by the Sox. Most think the Orioles can offer a better package. One of the absolute worst free agent signings, Kris Bryant is set to be activated by the Rockies. He had a 5-5 night at AAA with a homer. In the three years he has been with the Rockies, he has played in exactly 146 games, hitting .247 with 17 homers and 55 driven in. Not much bang for 182 million dollars.
Rumor: Orioles Holiday for Robert Jr.
I could see that; I could also see them expanding that trade and including Crochet. Oriole can beat any package the Dodgers offer. And Holliday gives the Sox a long-term SS.
I can see Baltimore actually trading Jackson Holliday, but it will not be for Luis Robert Jr. Baltimore currently has Colton Cowser as the heir apparent to Cedric Mullins, and right behind him is Dylan Beavers and Enrique Bradfield Jr. If the O’s do trade Holliday, it is going to be for a pitcher. Holliday could slot into the starting SS position for CWS or Detroit, making Crochet and Skubal both possibilities.
So then, Jackson Holliday for River Ryan plus?????
Good piece, Bear. I like how you define the window with Freddie as lasting three years beyond 2024. Maybe that informs our approach at the deadline too.
Going back to Kevin Brown, I’ve always felt that the three components to giving a long-term deal are health, playing a premium position and character. In Freeman’s case, he is a true 1B so he gets a little bit of a pass. But, you can see the problems in replacing Corey Seager at SS–it just isn’t that easy.
Othani will age well, maybe not his pitching. Pitchers are one pitch away from IL. Othani as a hitter should be really good. Serving as a DH when he wasn’t pitching saves much wear and tear on his body.
To think Smith will catch throughout his contract is silly. They will have to move him. Hoping they start the process in spring training next year and make a third baseman out of him.
Freddie will hit though out his career.
Pitching is impossible to predict. My view is they hang on to all their young arms. There is no such thing as to many starters, some may end up in the pen. If a pitcher is not producing don’t resign them when their contracts are up. Our young pitching is very very good.
I believe the trade deadline will tell a lot in where Mookie is going to play when he’s back. The Dodgers are not in a place that they HAVE to make a trade. When Betts and Muncy come back the lineup will be stretched (the bottom of the order has been producing the last two weeks.) Improving the bullpen and a centerfielder would be good but I’d give one of our catching prospects and a pitcher like Hurt or Grove or someone in their box.Though Grove I believe will make a great career from the pen.
Sometimes (many times) the trade you don’t make is the best trade.
I agree John. In 1962, the Dodgers almost traded Sandy Koufax to the Yankees for Elston Howard. However, the Yankee owner killed the deal. Just think if he had been a Yankee instead of a Dodger.
I never knew that about Koufax. That would compare the Ruth trade to the Yankees.
Good thoughts John. It wouldn’t shock me at all if there isn’t a major trade by the Dodgers. Health is the key to their championship ambitions.
River Ryan looked great. I’m pleased Doc stayed with him until he showed he was done. Very encouraging start. It will be interesting if he sticks with all the returners? The rotation might get crowded. That would be a nice problem.
Ryan River might have gotten through the 6th had Lux turned a double play. Lux is playing great. But he still can’t turn a cross-over double play. A better pivot on Heliot Ramos’ groundball to Kike at 3rd, might have gotten him at first. Maybe
I’ve described about 5 times, Lux’s need to cross-over the base to cut down the distance the ball travels and get more on his throw to 1st. A couple of games ago, CT3 excited that very turn, with ease, displaying much better feet. Just have the left foot on the base, step to the throw with the right foot and step into the throw with the left foot. 2 small quick steps like a crow hop almost, gets something on the throw. I don’t understand why Lux hasn’t mastered that turn. But too many runners are barely safe at first.
Teoscar had a day. Somebody different from the top of the order seems have a big day, since the break. And thank God since only 4 Dodgers had a hit last night.
Kike just has a sense for the dramatic.
I’ve seen the same thing Phil. Lux is still a shortstop playing second base. And I don’t see his arm strong enough to make the throw you’re describing. In fact, I don’t recall ever seeing a strong throw out of Lux.
Holliday for Robert Jr. That would likely do it. Maybe the Orioles don’t see a franchise SS in the kid.
Orioles all ready have one. He’s good.
Yeah, I know. I kinda figured he would end up at third when Holliday was ready. But, I said the same thing about Seager. Got that wrong.
Bear, great article. Your a talented writer. Did you write and compose most of your music?
No John. I have written a couple of tunes, but writing music is much like being a poet. And that does not come easy. I recorded two of my songs with a friend of mine here in Canon City. He is a very talented musician. One is a song called, “Don’t Look Down on Me”, It is about homeless vets. Another I did is called Satisfied. Typical country song about losing one’s true love.
Homeless vets especially the vets that were in a hot zone is an embarrassment to our country and what we stand for. I couldn’t get into the military for health reasons but my deepest gratitude goes to the bets. When I see a homeless vet my heart hurts. Bear thank you for serving.
Thanks John. I was in for almost 9 years. 65-74. The song is on this site, garyandmaureenshoe.com. Go to Arroyo music on the site, and it will show the artists. Click on Bear, and my two songs come up. That is my friends website.
Will do. How many tours in Vietnam?
I was lucky. I was a radar tech in a missile unit. I spent 3 years in Germany, 1 in Korea and 5 years in Texas at Ft. Bliss. I lost a lot of friends there though. Badger was in the Marines, he spent time in Nam.
Thank you Badger
Welcome.
Thank you Badger for your time and sacrifices you put in for all of us.
So I hear the Red Sox are interested in Paxton. Jansen for Paxton perhaps?
NO!!!
Can we get Jarren Duran instead? That dude looks legit!
Why wouldn’t you do a James Paxton for Kenley Jansen deal? Kenley did not pitch well against the Dodgers, but before that, he was pitching very well. Going into the LAD series, KJ threw 33.1 IP (32 games), 19 saves, 1 blown save, 2.16 ERA and 2.13 FIP. He had not allowed a HR all year until he gave up two to LAD batters. I cannot see Boston doing the deal, but if the Dodgers had that offer, I would take it in a NY minute. Add Gus Varland?
Jensen lost me in the World Series when I think Brett Phillips or some other hall of fame guy got a hit and we kicked the ball all over the field. Jensen had one job and that was to back up home plate. Him not backing the plate up is a mental error those happen, but he was quoted the next day saying that he didn’t need to back up. He does his job Phillips is out by 15 feet, I’m a former coach when someone doesn’t fundamentally make the play it stings but saying he didn’t have too!! Him purposely balking a guy to third with two is irrational, he can’t hold runners etc. If he was making 5 million maybe we could overlook those flaws.
Then I read where he said he wanted to come back to LA. Right there with Fundamentals is loyalty. If I was a Red Sox’s fan I’d be really upset.
when I was coaching, the hardest kid to coach was a talented player that would go on his own.
sorry I shouldn’t have gone off that much. Good luck with your surgery
I am not advocating trading prospects for KJ. Everything you have stated is accurate and poignant. But if it is James Paxton straight up for KJ, I am in. Boston is not going to trade KJ for Paxton straight up, so it is rhetorical noise. And I fully expect to be in the minority on this one.
Just for the record. I do not want them to bring Jansen back. I merely saw the Sox interest in Paxton and speculated on what they may trade to get him.
It was Brett Phillips. But to me, my distaste for Kenley started in game 2 of the 2017 series. With a 3-2 lead and no one out in the top of the 9th, he gave up a leadoff homer to Marwin Gonzalez! Marwin Gonzalez?????? And who became the closer in 2020, Urias and Treinen got the saves.
That would be a triple NO on Jansen. I thought we put that to bed with my undying gratitude. To me Kenley is too high maintenance and unreliable. I don’t care about his current numbers. He was a stubborn pain in the ass and for me that ship has happily sailed.
Not a chance.
Think non-40 asset(s)
The Dodgers have officially signed their 1st round pick, Kellon Lindsey. Lindsey passed his physical and signed a $3.3MM underslot deal. The bonus savings are $376K. The bonus savings are now at $736.3 K for the three players. I expect an overslot offer for 3rd round pick Chase Harlan who is very happy with his Clemson commitment and is comfortable there. Maybe Brad Tunink gets an overslot offer.
Based on the few conversations I’ve had with Dodger minor leaguers through the bullpen fence at games, this is the best organization in baseball and these guys should be jumping at the chance to join our team. See the look on Landon Knack’s face when he high fives Ohtani?
Nice! It will be interesting to see how they use those savings.
I really liked the video I saw of Tunink on draft day, but Keith Law wasn’t nearly as impressed. We shall see what Dodger brass has to say on the matter. I can’t believe that KLaw would have the audacity to question my opinion.
Interesting speculation on Chase Harlan, Jeff. Turning down 3rd round slot money of $745,000 or perhaps more, is a big gamble on yourself to bet you will be in the first 2 rounds in 3 years. Clemson will need to find some serious NIL money.
These are the interesting signings that are made more interesting with rich Collectives capable of buying recruits.
There were some virtual eyebrows raised when Buehler went outside the organization after being put on the IL. Arrays goes into it, in this really nice article: ($$$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5652221/2024/07/23/dodgers-walker-buehler-florida/?source=user_shared_article
Some nice quotes:
“Obviously I trust Mark and Connor and the performance guys here,” Buehler said. “I’ve trusted them with my career, and they’ve gone through this for years and years. Sometimes that second set of eyes is not a bad thing.
and
“Rehab is hard. Trying to get out of rehab is hard.”
Nice article, Bear.
still hoping not to see Lux on our team in about a week. I’m glad he got hot….maybe that entices buyers a bit more. (Outman and Vargas too)
and, still hoping to see Mookie become a full time 2B
im not sure how much Teoscar makes, but pay the man…make sure he is a Dodger for 5 more years. I love everything about him…and he is clutch.
cf is what we need more than any position player…I like Rojas and maybe Kike could give him a game off every so often…
get it done, AF…..TM
Lux is going to be a tough call. He along with Smith, are the only two home grown players starting regularly. He has improved his trade value. Not sure where Mookie is going to play when he comes back. If Mookie goes back to second, Lux has nowhere to play.
River Ryan was really good last night. He started a little nervous as would be expected. Then watching Vargas in left field would make you even more nervous. He definitely has the stuff plus he is very athletic. When he gains experience and full command of his arsenal he will turn heads.
i also like Honeywell. I saw him with the Pads and i thought this guy is good. This stuff of the Dodgers taking players and they suddenly teach them to b good. It may b true but Banda and Honeywell joined the team and pitched well the same day. They may not hold up but they have quality stuff.
Gavin Lux I like but he is a part-time player at best. He wins player of the week and the next game strikes out 3 times in a row against lefties. In his good week i saw him b very aggressive hitting the inside pitch and the pitch away. He is an almost automatic out against lefties. We are really hurting when Rojas cant play with lux n biggio against lefties.
Good piece, Bear.
We have at least three more seasons with Freddie, though it would not surprise me if he plays a couple more. He seems to be in great shape and obviously loves to play. It helps that 1B is not as physically taxing as other positions.
One problem with long-term contracts is that it can limit the opportunities for younger players to break through.
Right now, the oldest position player on the team, Miguel Rojas, is the unlikely linchpin of the squad. He’s far exceeded expectations, but SS is a concern now and in the future. We might live with the Mookie-Rojas-Lux keystone mashup for the remainder of this season, but getting a younger high-quality SS should be a priority.
We could make a long list of young, quality shortstops who (a) are not Dodgers and (b) would be difficult to deal for. While I’m optimistic about Alex Freeland and now Kellen Lindsay, one is probably two years away and the other 3-4 years away. on them.
Wild thought: The Dodgers deliver Knack + ??? for Adames, who at 28 is seven years younger than Rojas (and a couple years younger than Mookie). He’d only be a rental, but the Brewers probably figure they can’t sign him long-term. Would the Brewers risk it? Probably not, as Adames is a leader on a team headed for the playoffs. But they got the excellent Joey Ortiz in the Burnes deal to succeed him. The alternative for the Brewers is to simply lose Burnes with no return.
A deal now is a long shot, but I’d wager than AF has Adames on his shopping list over the winter. When Freeland or Lindsey or ???, Adames can slide over to 3B.
If they go after Adames, it won’t be until after he becomes a free agent at the end of this season. Milwaukee is in the race, so I doubt they trade any big pieces.
Today’s Rosenthal: ($$$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5651980/2024/07/23/stay-or-go-trade-candidates-skubal-guerrero/
Skubal stays (not traded)
Guerrero goes (traded)
Also covered:
Mason Miller, Justin Steele, Roberts Jr. and Eovaldi
I heard that Guerrero has been playing more 3b the past few weeks.
Where did you hear that?
Because this kind of stat is readily available.
He’s played 1 game recently at 3B.
Considering he partially played third earlier in the season, I guess you could say it’s true….
He has played 4 games at third this year. He was originally a third baseman. So far he has been perfect over there fielding wise.
Reading that Gomes stating that the Dodgers will go after an impact pitcher. Part of my brain thinks that Gomes might be trying to drive of the cost of a Skubal, the guy from Chicago etc. Just a thought.
I agree
If you’re sick and tired of reading about trades, don’t read this.
If this is your favorite time of year, please continue.
Blake Harris, who writes regularly about the Dodgers has just put out his Master Plan for the deadline, as follows:
Dodgers get: Crochet, Robert Jr., Kopech
White Sox get: Rushing, DePaula, River Ryan, Payton Martin, Jeral Perez, Kendall George
Dodgers get: Flaherty
Tigers get: Cartaya, Jake Gelof
Dodgers get: Rengifo
Angels get: Knack, Outman, Lux, Ronan Kopp
Dodgers get: Tanner Scott
Marlins get: Vargas, Yeiner Fernandez, Austin Gauthier
My thoughts:
I might consider the deal with the Sox if I could sub Vargas for DePaula.
I don’t think that’s nearly enough to get Flaherty. Other teams would offer more.
I think it’s too much for Rengifo although we probably don’t really need any of the guys we’d be giving up.
The Scott deal seems about right since he’s only controllable for the rest of the year, but I’m really not sure how I feel about giving up Vargas for a couple months of a reliever.
Comments anyone?
want some of what Harris is taking. The Tigers trade is the only one that wasn’t drug induced. Tigers trade is the only one you would talk to the President about trades.
And with that, the Dodger farm system becomes the worst in baseball. No way any of that happens. They can get Arozarena cheaper. And sorry, but Arte Moreno is not going to let his GM trade anyone to the Dodgers.
Not thrilled with any of these. I guess the tiger trade would be the one to take. As of today I don’t think we really need the sp. that could change in the next week based on injury or performance. As of today my priority would be Robert the cf. I just don’t think pages is the answer this year. Average cf, ks too much, where has the power gone? We just don’t have any other good option in my opinion.
I love Crochet now and in the future. I would not want to give up Ryan until I c more. Tremendous upside, controllable, cheap, athletic, and low mileage. If Glasnow, Yamamoto are healthy crochet is not a priority. If I had him this year I might use him in the pen. The trouble is after the deadline u don’t get another chance.Get a cf n wait on Betts/muncy.
Pages K rate is lower than Robert Jr. who is striking out almost 33 percent of the time. Pages is about 27. Robert is only hitting .232. He has 11 homers but has driven in only 23. He has only walked 19 times. He is hitting .188 in his first four games since the All-Star break. And probably the worst thing is he is going to cost a king’s ransom in prospects. Arozarena has hit 3 homers in his last 4 games. He has excellent post-season numbers. Yeah, he is not a great defensive outfielder, but his hitting will more than make up for that, and he has excellent speed, something the Dodgers can really use.
Yamamoto’s health/status is clearly the biggest factor in determining what AF does by the deadline.
Rengifo is grand larceny. And we are the ones getting robbed.