Now that Clayton Kershaw has opted out of his player option, and become a free agent, currently the Dodgers have 38 on the 40 man roster. What is going to make the 40 man construction more difficult this year is the number of injured players that will have to be retained on the 40 man roster until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training.
Injured players need to be added back to the 40 man by today. The four injured pitchers the Dodgers need to retain on the 40 man until pitchers and catchers report date are:
- River Ryan
- Emmet Sheehan
- Gavin Stone
- Kyle Hurt
We just do not know yet about Nick Frasso.
The 40 man is officially set on November 14, including protected MiLB players from Rule 5 draft.
As I am writing this, the 40 man is currently this:
- 24 pitchers
- 1 DH
- 4 Catchers
- 5 Infielders
- 4 outfielders
There are two potential DFA (non-tender) candidates: RHRP Zach Logue, and RHRP Connor Brogdon. MLBTR included Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin as potential non-tender, which is ridiculous IMO. At the very least, both could be high leverage relievers at a more than reasonable cost. Estimated arbitration $$$ for both: Gonsolin ($5.4MM) and May ($2.135MM). The Dodgers are not going to DFA either pitcher.
The Dodgers have multiple free agents many hope they re-sign. Teoscar Hernández, Blake Treinen, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Kiké Hernández. Joe Kelly has indicated he would like to return to LAD, but methinks that ship has sailed. If the Dodgers do non-tender Logue and Brogdon, the Dodgers will have 4 open spots for free agents. I fully expect trades from the 40 man.
For those looking for Michael Grove and Chris Taylor to be DFA’d, I think you will be disappointed. I have stopped believing in absolutes, so I will not say that it won’t happen; just extremely unlikely.
CT3 has $17MM guaranteed. If the Dodgers pay $10MM of that guarantee, they could move him for a lottery ticket. But it is far more likely (IMO) that the Dodgers love his versatility and will retain him. Chris Taylor since July:
- From July 2 thru end of season – 120 PA, .243/.342/.350/.691
- From August 24 thru end of season – 57 PA, .314/.368/.412/.780
- From September 1 thru end of season – 46 PA, .333/.370/.452/.822
His numbers began to rise once he returned from an injury (August 24) and went back to his old swing. CT3 can play 6 positions well (2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF). He is fast enough to be a late inning PR and can steal a base. Yes, he strikes out a lot, but so do a lot of Dodgers, plus players many out there that fans clamor for. Not bad for a speedy defensive minded utility bench player.
Compare that to a player many were disappointed when he was DFA’d, Jason Heyward, who hit .208/.289/.393/.682 as a Dodger, and not a whole lot better as an Astro. Yes, he is LH.
The team does not need 13 position player all-stars on their roster. Is CT3 expensive? Yes. Does that matter to the Dodgers? No. So in my mock roster he stays.
Now for 2025:
Rule 5 – I think there is a very good chance that the Dodgers will not protect anyone. There are 37 (by my count) rule 5 eligible this year. 15 position players, 4 starting pitchers, and 18 relief pitchers. Under consideration (IMO):
- Ryan Ward – LHH OF (27 next year) – AAA
- Jack Dreyer – LHRP (26 next year) – AAA
- Austin Gauthier – RHH utility (26 next year) – AAA
- Carlos Duran – RHP (23 next year) – AA
- Ryan Sublette – RHRP (26 next year) – AAA
None of those players raise a flag that says they need to be protected. And with limited space, I can see the Dodgers pass. If I were to choose one, it would be Jack Dreyer, although I do love the potential of Carlos Duran.
What do I see as the current roster makeup:
- 1B – Freddie Freeman
- 2B – Mookie Betts
- SS – Tommy Edman
- 3B – Max Muncy
- LF –
- CF – James Outman
- RF – Andy Pages
- C – Will Smith
- DH – Shohei Ohtani
- Bench: Austin Barnes, Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas.
I have Mookie at 2B. He is comfortable there. He wants to be there. It saves his legs. Since Gavin Lux can only play 2B, he is relegated to the bench in my mock roster. I do think he gets traded to a team that needs a middle infielder.
The three biggest questions for the position players are LF, CF and SS.
I suspect the Dodgers could acquire a CF or SS with Tommy Edman assuming the other. There are a lot of good defensive poor offensive CF. The Dodgers have one of their own in James Outman.
Harrison Bader is the only notable free agent CF. I doubt that he piques the LAD interest. There are 4 other free agent OF in total: Juan Soto, Teoscar Hernández, Anthony Santander, and Michael Conforto. Potential CF trade candidates have been limited to Chas McCormick, Leody Taveras, Cedric Mullins, and Luis Robert Jr. I assume they would not mind getting Robert Jr. without breaking the prospect capital bank. Taveras just turned 26, and has 3 more years of control. He is a mediocre offensive threat, and not a good defensive player…pass. Cedric Mullins is a possibility.
There are three other OF that have been reported as potentially available.
- Wilyer Abreu – Boston
- Lane Thomas – Cleveland
- Brent Rooker – Oakland
I do not see the A’s trading Rooker until the deadline at the earliest. Abreu is a RF and might be an upgrade over Pages, but not enough of one. Thomas is a potential, but I would prefer the Dodgers re-sign Teoscar. How much of a hometown discount will he accept to remain with LAD. Teo is closer to becoming a DH than he is to an accomplished defensive OF. Will he accept 3 years of $23MM – $24MM AAV ($69MM – $72 MM). Some are projecting 3 years at $60MM. I think the Dodgers would do that in a heartbeat. Would Teoscar?
I have already stated that I am not on the Juan Soto train. The current starting point for Soto has risen to $700MM by many in the know. I recognize that does not mean he will sign for that. He is a Scott Boras client, and AF has never signed a Boras client for more than one year. Juan Soto will not be his first.
Maybe I am a glutton for punishment, or that I just want a happy wife, but I think the lowest risk and highest reward for CF is James Outman. Outman would also be an ideal platoon OF with Andy Pages.
My ideal trade for a CF is Boston’s Jarren Duran (4 years control). Boston is not going to trade him, but if I were AF/BG I would give it my best shot.
My ideal trade for a corner OF would be Kyle Tucker, even though he would be an expensive rental. But if Houston is not going to extend Bregman, they would use the $$ to extend Tucker. Can Houston afford both? Houston has arguably the worst farm system, so maybe they choose to improve the farm system by trading Tucker. The Dodgers would have to start with Dalton Rushing and some pitching.
For SS, the Dodgers have two candidates on their current roster: Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman. I think the Dodgers prefer Miggy Ro to be a true utility infielder. Edman is also a logical CF candidate. Thus, LAD can certainly choose to go outside the organization.
The Dodgers have Alex Freeland in AAA as the highest rated MiLB LAD SS. Do the Dodgers believe he is a legit SS at the MLB level? If they do believe that, all they will need is a one year bridge.
The most discussed possible SS target is Milwaukee’s Willy Adames. Some believe he is a favorite of AF. As the Tampa Bay GM, he did consummate a July 31, 2014, 3-team trade that brought Adames from Detroit with Drew Smyly with David Price headed to Detroit. There were other players involved, but those were the primaries. 2 ½ months later, AF was signed by the Dodgers to be POBO. Adames was 18 at the time of the trade, and was not considered a top prospect until the following year. I doubt that there is any deep-seated loyalty towards Adames from AF.
Toronto is probably not going to trade Bo Bichette until the deadline at the earliest. Toronto believes that with the addition of players and the hope that Bichette returns to form they can contend in 2025.
I do not believe the Dodgers are interested in Ha-Seong Kim.
I do not believe he is available, but if I was AF/BG I would contact Washington and ask for CJ Abrams.
The chatter is getting louder that San Francisco will be overly aggressive on Adames.
Now the pitchers:
SP on the 40 man and available at ST:
- Tyler Glasnow
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Shohei Ohtani
- Bobby Miller
- Landon Knack
- Ben Casparius
- Justin Wrobleski
- Tony Gonsolin
- Dustin May
Clayton Kershaw has decided to pass on his $10MM player option. I am not a mind reader and have no idea what that poses for the future of Kershaw and LAD. Clayton is making a business decision, and so will the Dodgers. Who blinks? I doubt the Rangers are serious contenders for next year. So he is looking to make the best deal for he and his family. Nobody knows when he will be available after his planar plate surgery.
Nick Frasso will be probably not be ready by ST. I would like to be wrong, but even if I am, who was the last SP who had major labrum surgery and made it all the way back after one year. Hyun-jin Ryu and Julio Urías took more than a year to fully recover. Clayton Kershaw was out ½ a year after a lesser surgery, and he certainly was not close to the Kershaw of old. Thus, I do not believe Nick Frasso will be on the LAD 26 man at the start of 2025.
Tyler Glasnow does say that he is fully healthy and will be changing his offseason training to keep the elbow strong. I am a huge Glasnow advocate, but I am not convinced that he can stay healthy. One of his big assets is his 99th percentile extension. He seems to think he is going to need to back off of that level of extension to protect his elbow. We will have to wait and see how he makes it through. Maybe he is a third necessity for the six-man rotation.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a rotator cuff injury. Is that a potential re-injury situation?
Shohei Ohtani – Two TJ surgeries. Who has fully recovered from 2 TJ surgeries in his first year back?
Bobby Miller – I hope the Dodgers prescribe a sports psychologist for Miller. It is not his pitching ability, but his head.
Knack, Casparius, Wrobleski, Gonsolin, and May have all been starters, but many are making noise that each of them is probably better suited for the bullpen.
Corbin Burnes is on many LAD fans wish list. Unfortunately he is a Scott Boras client, and therefore seriously unlikely to sign with LAD. I also do not see him accepting into a 6-man rotation.
Blake Snell is also a Scott Boras client, but if he were willing to sign for three years (doubtful), he might be a potential LAD target. But he also is not likely keen on a 6-man rotation.
Other than Burnes and Snell, Max Fried, Sean Manaea, Nick Martinez, Nick Pivetta, and Luis Severino all come with QO. The Dodgers first round pick will drop 10 spots in next year’s draft, and the likelihood of the Dodgers then giving away their 2nd and 5th draft selection to sign a player with a QO are remote. Burnes and Snell might be worth the cost, but neither are considered realistic LAD targets.
So what starting pitchers might the Dodgers look into?
- Walker Buehler
- Jack Flaherty
- Nathan Eovaldi
- Jose Quintana
All pitchers with Scott Boras for their agent:
- Corbin Burnes
- Blake Snell
- Sean Manaea
- Frankie Montas
- Max Scherzer
- Yusei Kikuchi
There are trade candidates that the Dodgers could consider.
What I do not know is what possible reclamation projects might the Dodgers consider. One that I can think of is Shane Bieber, but probably not until the pitchers and catchers report and he can be added to the 60 man IL.
So as of right now, I believe the Dodgers will try to stay primarily in house for the position players. I believe they will re-sign Teo Hernández on a LAD friendly deal. They will probably look into improving the bench. Will that include Kiké Hernández? Maybe. He is a clutch playoff player. But it is not as clear cut as many want it to be.
The position players:
- 1B – Freddie
- 2B – Mookie
- SS – Edman
- 3B – Muncy
- LF – Teoscar
- CF – Outman
- RF – Pages
- C – Smith
- DH – Ohtani
- Bench – Barnes, Miggy Ro, CT3, Lux
If the Dodgers trade Lux for top prospects, that would clear a path for Kiké.
Pitchers are wide open and really depend on medical reports. But I would not be surprised to see the Dodgers re-sign Buehler and Flaherty and perhpas sign Quintana. Maybe trade for a left handed SP. Maybe Garrett Crochet? Tarik Skubal is now on the untouchable list. Unfortunately a few of the LHSP that the Dodgers might have been interested in are Scott Boros clients with QO; a dealy combo for AF.
This is an initial review, and I plan on reviewing multiple times. Once we see some FA sign, the picture will become more clear and perhaps better guesses.
Very informative article. Thanx Jeff!
Surprised CK declined the option. Is he trying to squeeze out more than the 10 million the option would have guaranteed him ? With his injury history ?
If not giving WB the QO because of strictly business decisions I would not payCK more than the 10 millions.
With all the injury concerns around many of our starting pitchers the Dodgers need 1-2 guys who can eat innings. I doubt CK can be one of them.
I am against trading Lux. He is one of our few younger players plus in 2025 he willl be removed two full years from his devastating knee injury. Usually a player with that kind of injury finds his full strength in the second year back. Acuna was a good example for that.
How many versatile players do the Dodgers need on their roster ? CT3, Rojas, Kike, Edman ? IMHO 1 or 2 of those players should be plenty enough or you lose better options at better hitters.
Other than Jeff I am all for Soto. Young , generatinoal hitter who already is a likely future HOF. Those kind of player does not become avalialle usually.
Tough decisions ahead for sure.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kershaw declined the option because he will work with LA on a deal that is best for him and the team. I have no doubt come next February he will still be a Dodger. He has done this almost every year since he became a free agent and every year he resigns with LA.
IMO, Kershaw may be looking for another option year, with vesting options and bonus incentives. Kershaw has always taken less than what his market value was. He most certainly could have made Verlander and Scherzer $$$ the last few years, but instead chose a one year deal at well below HIS market value.
I am not trying to be confrontational on Lux, but the written word does not always translate into the tone intended. But it appears that you prefer Lux to be a Dodger more than allowing Mookie to play where he is most comfortable. Mookie has consistently said that his legs hurt and wear out as the season progresses in RF, and he is most comfortable at 2B. When Mookie was drafted as a SS, he was moved to 2B by Boston. Boston had a 2B already, and one many believed was on his way to the HOF…Dustin Pedroia. Boston moved Betts to RF because of his athleticism and bat. He took to RF like a duck to water. He became so good that he won 4 GG while in Boston, and 2 more while in LA.
Now he says he prefers to go back to 2B. This team has been built around Mookie, not Lux. I know that might also be said about Ohtani and Freddie, but they came AFTER Mookie, so it appears they are building around Mookie.
Maybe Lux should have worked harder to play the OF like Mookie did. The problem is that Lux is not the athlete that Mookie is. His only position is 2B. Tommy Edman is a GG 2B, and I would not suggest he play 2B over Mookie.
Mookie would do anything to make the team better, and if the Dodgers asked, Mookie to play RF, he would. Then again Andy Pages is three years younger than Lux, and is a better fit in RF than CF. Will the Dodgers prefer Betts at 2B and Pages in RF, or Lux at 2B and Betts in RF and diminished legs? Those are the choices as they currently exist.
I also believe that fans are more concerned about the ages of players than are the Dodgers. The Dodgers will probably lose elderly position players Max Muncy, Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes, and Miguel Rojas after 2025. Maybe next year they look to get younger. The pitching for the Dodgers is overwhelmingly on the younger side. As of right now, of the 13 pitchers only 3 will be over 30, and two of those will be 31.
AF has always preferred veteran players and the more versatile the better. As an example, I think the Dodgers would prefer Brendon Donovan over Lux, but it would take more than Lux for St. Louis to trade Donovan.
Maybe Roco will sign with Dodgers.
Maybe package Glasnow and Miller for Tarik Skubal
Who is Roco?
I like the Skubal trade you suggested. Would even throw in Fiduccia or Cartaya (would openup another much needed 40 men roster spot too).
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If Detroit made that trade they would be nuts.
I just suggested a trade to express my thoughts on Glasnow. I’m not a believer.
I totally get that, but the fact is, no way Detroit takes on that contract.
I didn’t think it was necessary to say the Dodgers would have to keep part of his payroll cost.
I get it, but Dodgers are not going to trade for the guy, extend him and then trade him after one season. And you can bet Detroit is not trading Skubal.
Roki Sasaki?
Sasaki will definitely be a target IF he is posted.
A lot of the Dodgers off season direction will depend on where Mookie will play in 2025.
Exactly, and I believe he will play where he feels the most comfortable. He was not really comfortable at SS. But he was when he played second. Lux is a tradeable commodity.
Ken Rosenthal reports the Dodgers to be the overwhelming favorits to sign Sasaki IF he gets posted. Sasaki rejected the offer given to him by his Japanese team.
Would be a huge signing. Sasaki will be cheap for the first 2-3 years of his contract , he is young, he is a stud and the Dodgers could use the money saved on other players.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Been reading and listening to some blogs about the offseason and there are some interesting ideas out there what the Dodgers could/should do.
One of the more interesting ideas IMHO: Trade for Robert jun. . Young, when healhy a superstar CF, controllable contract for 2 more years.
Would fill a big hole in CF for the Dodgers too. Would enable the Dodgers to put Edman at ss.
Wonder what would it take to swing that trade ?
One out of Wroblesik/Knack/Casparius plus Cartaya plus Outman ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Sox need a lot. I don’t think they want second tier players for their only superstar. four players at least and it would take at least one of dePaula-Rushing. Cartaya not a top tier prospect anymore. He has dropped to #16 on the Dodgers top 30. Dodgers short of LHP in the system, not sure they would trade Wrobleski. I keep Casparius, looks like a great BP piece.
Rushing and dePaula come as close to untouchable as they get.
If it has to be one of those two I would include dePaula since he is tougher to project being only in A ball now.
On Mookies podcast he talked with Doc. And Doc he wanted a high leverage reliever . Tanner Scott ? Would make our bullpen absolutely lethal with him, phillpps, Kopech, Treinen, Graterol, Henriquez, Vesia, Banda.
now I know AF and the Dodgers do not want to shell out huge contracts for relievers but Scott is that good.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No guarantee Treinen comes back. He is a free agent. And he is now 36 and turns 37 next June. Scott is that good, but he might get a four-year deal, at least that is the projection by MLBTR. 4/56. The only reliever I can remember LA signing for more than 2 years is Jansen. He signed a 5/80 deal in 2017.
If Treinen is not back Scott becomes that much more intriguing.
We all saw how important a lockdown pen is during the playoffs.
Scott IMHO would be worth 4/56 easily.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But will AF think so? That is the main question. Doubt much movement takes place until the winter meetings.
I am usually in the what would AF do column like you. But in this case, I am in dodgerram column. 4/$56MM is not too much for a high leverage reliever like Tanner Scott. If there is must sign free agent out there for LAD, Scott would be it. We also know (and AF must as well), that Scott is lethal for Ohtani. Why take a chance of Philadelphia, NYM, NYY, SD, SF, or Baltimore signing him?
Scott is 1 year older than KJ was when KJ signed his 5 year deal with LAD. The contract did not turn out well for the Dodgers. KJ’s value over those 5 years was $59.3MM, well below the $80MM he received. And I agree that is why AF is reluctant to go beyond 2 years for a reliever. However, IMO, Scott is worth the risk.
Is Tanner Scott the for sure closer around here if he comes (meaning hes THAT good?)
Just wondering
I do not believe the Dodgers are looking for a “for sure closer”. They have seemingly moved to the closer by committee faction. They just need to load up on high leverage relievers. I do think he is good and young enough to take the risk on him. That being said, I agree with Bear that is probably not what AF will do. I think he would prefer to bring Treinen back on a two year deal, sign another reclamation project, and fill the gaps with the plethora of pitchers not going to make the rotation. A name out of nowhere, James Karinchak could be another one of those reclamation projects. He was just granted free agency by Cleveland.
My official offseason wishlist:
Sign Tanner Scott.
Sign Snell or Burnes.
Bring back Teo.
Bring back Treinen.
Bring back Striker.
Trade for Robert jun.
Sign Sasaki (if he gets posted).
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t see the Dodgers handing out the years that Boras will demand for Snell and Burnes
From this list I can see Beuhler and Sasaki.
question: can Play signed after being posted be signed to a minor-league contract?
You talking about Japanese players or Koreans? Have not seen that happen, will ask Jeff, I think he knows the rule better. Latin players are usually taken in the international draft. But Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese are posted by their teams because those countries have their own leagues.
I’m curious Jeff, why would a 6 man be a problem for some of those older veterans? I would think they would welcome it. 1. It’s the money 2. It’s the Dodgers 3. Algorithms suggest you can extend your career and your earning power with an extra days rest. And, in a 6 man you can still get 27 starts and 150+ innings.
I’ve been pushing a 6 man for quite a while now. They’ve done it in Japan for a very long time.
Interesting read on the topic:
Jeff –
Thanks for your detailed analysis; it is extremely helpful to fans like me who love the Dodgers but don’t have the roster development knowledge to assess the alternatives. I do have faith in AF but it is nice to know all the aspects (i.e., the Scott Boras factor). Thanks to you and Old Bear for increasing my knowledge every day of my favorite team in my favorite sport!
They already are on a pseudo 6 man by using off days and callups to spot start. During this season there were only about 4 times a starter pitched on 4 days rest and many times they had 6-7 days between starts. Doing it this way opens a roster spot for another reliever or position player.Unfortunately it didn’t keep them from having arm problems.
Yes, I realize that. The question I had is why would being in a 6 man rotation give pause to any high profile starter about signing with the Dodgers. I would think anyone with the talent to do it would love the opportunity to pitch every October.
Yeah, the Dodgers are going to need starters with options to keep the game day roster manageable.
knack is one. Does Gonsolin have options left?
Gonsolin has one option remaining.
Pitchers with options:
Gonsolin – 1
Vesia – 1
Graterol – 2
Grove – 1
Wrobleski – 2
Frasso – 2
Casparius – 3
Miller – 2
Knack – 2
Henriquez – 3
Hurt – 2
Ryan – 3
Sheehan – 2
Stone – 2
Badger, I just think there is a reluctance for the Aces to want a 6-man rotation. They want to pitch. Burnes will be making his $$$ this year, so that will not be an issue. I have nothing to base that on. But Scherzer and Verlander would probably prefer a 6-man at this point in their career.
A couple of the analysts at MLBTR seem to think LA will sign either Max Scherzer, I think that boat sailed, or Justin Verlander for 1 season. I doubt they would do that. They also have LA listed as a possible 1-year destination for Shane Bieber.
Again, I think options are really important to keep the roster fluidity. But I could see a short term deal for Max Fried, being appealing to both sides.
Methinks Fried will be looking for a long-term deal.
The Braves probably tried to extend him, but he wants to test the market. It’s his moment. If coming to SoCal is a priority, the Angels could be the fit. If region doesn’t matter, the Mets or Red Sox or ??? could make the offer
Better that he sign with Angels than the Pads… who definitely need SPs with Musgrove hurt.
Badger, great information. Thanks so much the link and article within. After my vacation and R&R from this season, I plan to kick around some ideas about current pitching practices and the problem of increased injuries that I think is wrecking the game. You and I seem to share some thoughts and I plan to elaborate down the road.
I have some ideas and want to digest more information like this.
By the way to answer your question about my location in Az. from a few days ago, I’m a couple of miles from both Camelback Ranch and All-State Stadium on Indian School Rd, a mile west of the 101.
I’m going to the Fall Ball game at Camelback tomorrow. I’m hoping to see Zyhir Hope and Jac Caglianone from the Royals. He was a mini-Ohtani at Florida.
They definitely need a lh SP even with Kershaw but they don’t need an ace,just a solid #4 or 5 .And re Kershaw, if you look back on the last bunch of off seasons he has remained unsigned until the rest of the roster is stabilized. Him waiting as a free.agent gives them another roster spot to play with every off season.
I believe this is by design and agreement between him and the front office. Some people are focused on things like maybe he’s waiting on Texas or trying to decide if he wants to retire but I believe a simple conversation and handshake agreement is all that’s needed between Clayton and Andrew. He’s helping them become a better team.
This current situation is a perfect example. He already said he wants to play next season so he can take his opt out, get his surgeries, leave an open roster spot for Friedman to play with and re sign when the time is right, maybe after ST begins and players get moved to the 60 day IL.
I think you are right about CK and I overreacted to him turning down the option.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The team probably doesn’t need Teo for 4 years so a QO is perfect and he only needs a simple guaranteed contract. Buehler on the other hand needs a structured contract because of his injury history and low floor but high ceiling.
Seems like a lot of unnecessary dickering around. We basically need Teo or an equivalent RH bat & probably a couple SPs for depth. Free agency will provide.
I think that sometimes but that’s how Friedman operates. He’s playing Chess while most are playing checkers.
I heard that AF hates both chess and checkers and prefers Jenga
They are all playing chess. Some are just better at it than others.
I think none of them can play the real CHESS.😀
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Wayne was actually an excellent chess player. Was one of his main forms of relaxation on set.
John Wayne wasn’t any good but people let him win cuz they knew if they didn’t he would throw them off the set.
Dissing the Duke? Wow,
Yep. Never liked him.
That is ok, I still like you! But da Duke was my all-time favorite actor. His movies if nothing else were always entertaining.
An outfield of Hernandez, Outman, & Pages would be one of the worst in MLB. If they don’t sign Teo then Rushing in LF is even worse. When Mookie moved back to RF for the stretch run the Dodgers as a defense and as a team jelled and kicked it into another gear. He belongs in RF not 2B no matter how “comfortable” he thinks he is. It is better for the team that he is in RF. Lux will be just fine at 2B.
Disagree. Mookie has stated many times that his legs get tired out there. Lux is okay as a defender, but Mookie is better. No one knows how good or bad Rushing will pan out as a defender. Hasn’t played there enough to make a judgement. Outman is excellent defensively, far superior to Pages. But Pages is more than adequate as a RF.
I agree, Bear. Plus, the Dodgers see Lux as a platoon guy, not a full-timer. Mookie would be full-time at 2B. Lux could be full-time on another team.
So Lux is very likely to be dealt.
As for the OF, we also don’t know how Rushing will pan out on offense. An OF that reads Rushing-Outman-Pages might be pretty good if all live up to their potential. But Rushing obviously has to prove himself. Outman is seeking redemption from his awful ’24. Pages has had his moments–but his ’24 season wasn’t as good as Outman’s ’23.
I see where Cole opted out of his opt out. Yankees called his bluff.
They are negotiating an extension.
Yankees should have let him walk.
From ESPN. Rankings and contract projections of notable FAs.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/42189340/mlb-2024-2025-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections
Soto at 13 years and 611 million over the whole length of the contract will end up to be a bargain when sometime in 2037 looking back.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, he won’t be a Dodger.
I don’t think we need major acquisitions. Starting pitching was our weakness and we should be getting guys back to upgrade that. My line up would be as follows.
DH Ohtani
RF Mookie
1B Freddie
LF Teoscar
3B Max
C Will
2B Lux
CF Pages
SS Rojas
UT Edman-Kike-Taylor
C Barnes or Cartaya
Edman can play both SS and CF in a rotation with Rojas and Pages.
Kike can play 3rd versus lefties and also play CF.
Taylor can play 2nd versus lefties and be a defensive replacement late in games.
SP
Glasnow
Yamamoto
Ohtani
Kershaw
Buehler
Flaherty
Long Man
Gonsolin
Knack
Grove
Casparius
Relief
Treinen
Kopech
Brasier
Phillips
Graterol
Banda
Veisia
May
I know the numbers don’t add up. Some IL stints will be used to manage the roster when it comes to pitching. I believe the FA I have in bold will be brought back.
Tommy Edman is a starter and has to be in the lineup every day. Doesn’t matter where he plays. So don’t count him as a utility player. He belongs in your starting lineup with either Pages or Rojas on the bench.
Agree totally. Dude is a gamer.
I think Mookie plays 2B.
If not, then Edman replaces Lux. Edman won a GG at 2B a couple seasons back.
I think Lux might look good in a White Sox uniform….
If Mookie moves back to 2B, Lux is traded. Edman is more valuable playing CF or SS.
Grove is non-tender fodder. Buehler might be back, but I am betting he is let go. Flaherty will be moving on also. They need at least 1 more left-handed starter.
Grove has some trade value so I don’t think it would ever get to the point of a non-tender. I do agree, though, that his time with the Dodgers is probably coming to an end, sooner than later.
We will know pretty soon, non tender date is in the middle of this month.
This somewhat fluid roster, due to numerous injuries, was able to claim the best record in the regular season, able to win every round of the playoffs and then win the WS, I think we all agree on that. IF that is agreed upon (since that is actually what did happen) why does this roster need much shake-up at all. Sure I understand that some players will leave due to FA (however that is of AF’s choosing) so why make a bunch of changes.
I am one of those that thinks Mookie is the best RF in the game and he is in the top 20 of 2Bs, I think it is a massive mistake to take him out of RF. We love you Mookie but if you are really all about winning, you should insist on staying in RF, the whole argument about the infield is easier on your legs/knees than playing outfield is non-sensical. I have played both positions and middle infield is much more stressful, much more twisting and sudden starts and stops, etc. So I don’t buy that BS one bit, it all is about Mookie asking to move to be involved in the infield action, so just stop on that flawed reasoning.
For me, it’s hard to know what is best until we know who the team would receive for a package that included Lux.
To Mookie it is not non-sensical.
Come on Jeff, don’t act butt hurt on behalf of Mookie. I didn’t say Mookie was non-sensical, I said the the argument was non-sensical. My personal experience tells me about the merits of this argument regarding demands on the body. Seriously grow up and stop with the ridiculous replies to posters. Really, you are the author on this blog, don’t make such stupid and silly assertions. Damn, you are better than that, I hope.
“Butt hurt. Grow up. Ridiculous replies. Stupid and silly assertions.”
“Damn, you are better than that, I hope.”
Clearly someone isn’t “better than that”
I think Mookie can put up more WAR playing second base. I say that because I believe Mookie is considerably better there than Lux. Time for Lux to go.
I agree Badger and please don’t miss the comment I made to you earlier from a post you made 10 hrs ago.
Just saw it.
Shoulda knowed you’d be the one who would appreciate it.
Jeff, I think you can make clicks on a link to open in a new tab which would allow readers to easily return to the comment containing the link. By opening the link in the same tab, we have to search where we were last reading.
Shohei underwent arthroscopic surgery today to repair his labrum tear. Expected to be ready for ST.
Same surgery as Cody?
or no?
Here’s my vote, sign Adames, resign Teoscar put him in one corner OF position, put Mookie at second, Trade Lux. Let Pages Outman, and Rushing battle it out for the other corner OF position, the other two go to OKC for depth. Edman is in CF.
OK
And pitchers?
I think the pitching is a lot fuzzier, I don’t have a clue of what may happen, one SP, or Two, trade for Crotchet? Sign a front line SP, sign a backend guy?
But if I could have what I wanted I’d say Fried and Tanner Scott would do the trick, and if they decide on two starters I’d take Buehler
No.
Ohtani had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. Should be ok for start of spring training.
Excellent, comprehensive analysis.
I think the Dodgers will make an offer to Teos’ liking–but if not, a trade for Luis Robert could make sense, and make the Dodgers younger.
Teo and Robert are very similar players on offense–a lot of power and a lot of Ks. But Robert, at 27, is 5 years younger than Teo–and only two years older than Soto. Plus, he’s an excellent center fielder.
Roberts would come with a team-friendly contract thru ’27 that would make him cheaper than Teo–but of course that means the Dodgers would have to pay extra in prospect capital to get him.
The knock on Robert is that he is injury-prone. But if the Dodgers could help him stay healthy as he enters his prime.. wow.
As for SS, CJ Abrams is intriguing–and I prefer Edman to Bichette. I’ve also argued that the Dodgers could try to pry new gold glover Ezequiel Tovar from the Rockies. He’s just 23. The Rockies signed him to a team-friendly extension, so getting him wouldn’t be easy.
Of course, Adames has the track record. Yes, there’s buzz about the Giants getting him–but perhaps Posey would prefer Ha-Seong Kim to save $$ for another FA. At 29, Adames isn’t exactly young–but he’s six years younger than Rojas, so that would help a bit.
Hmm….
What if the Dodgers wind up signing Adams and dealing for Robert?
Shohei
Betts
Freeman
Robert
Muncy
Adames
Smith
Pages/Outman
Edman (playing LF)
Yeah, that would be scary.
Hey guys, Jeff will be gone for a few days. I will have a new post ready later this afternoon. Angels signed Kyle Hendricks to a one-year deal.
One reason I love Joe Kelly, he really knows how to stir the pot, so does Kike. His Fat Joe comments really got things buzzing. Now Kelly blasting the Yankees.