Bear had a good premise. For me there is a difference in what I may prefer vs. what I think AF/BG might do.
I do think the Dodgers will sign Ohtani. But IMO that negates the possibility of signing any other FA with a QO attached. Snell, Nola, Gray, Hader, Bellinger, and Chapman. I cannot see AF/BG losing a 3rd and 6th round pick in addition to the 2nd, 4th, and $1MM international $$$. I could be very wrong, but AF has never given any indication that he would sign two players with a QO in the same year.
There are too many listed rotations that are RHP heavy. All of the Dodgers pitchers are RHP – Buehler, Miller, Pepiot, Sheehan, Stone, Knack, Frasso, Ryan, Williams, Hurt. Then I read that the Dodgers should sign Yamamoto (RHP), Lucas Giolito (RHP), Jack Flaherty (RHP), Luis Severino(RHP). Remember, even if they sign Ohtani and he pitches in 2024, another RHP. May and Gonsolin? RHP. Maddux Bruns and Justin Wrobleski are the only LHSP in the pipeline (way down) and Ronan Kopp is a LHP, but he has been moved permanently to the bullpen. They need LHSP.
LHSP that are FA – Blake Snell, Shōta Imanaga, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Sean Manaea, Hyun-jin Ryu, James Paxton. Only Snell has a QO attached.
The Dodgers need to sign one top of the rotation LHSP in free agency, and possibly trade for another. I prefer Jordan Montgomery and then Imanaga, but I think AF/BG prefers. Eduardo Rodriguez. They wanted him at the deadline, but were not willing to negotiate an additional year and $20MM to his deal in such a limited and tight window. They have more time in the offseason to work something out. Also, AF avoids dealing with Scott Boras (Montgomery).
I also think they will trade for a front line pitcher. Corbin Burnes, Tyler Glasnow, and Dylan Cease are the reported top targets. All RHP, and I would be happy with any of them. Potential LHSP that may be available (not likely, but possible). My preference:
- Max Fried – Atlanta
- Jesus Luzardo – Miami
- Tarik Skubal – Detroit
- Braxton Garrett – Miami
- John Means – Baltimore
Somehow some way, the Dodgers need 2 LHSP; one at the minimum.
I think the Dodgers have the basis for a good bullpen, but do not have a closer. Maybe Blake Treinen has been resurrected. I do not see any FA closer other than Hader, and with a QO attached, AF will not sign him. I would prefer AF/BG re-sign Ryan Brasier and Shelby Miller, but AF/BG has not shown an affinity to re-sign relievers who left LAD as a free agent. There are three other FA relievers that I would like to see AF consider (they won’t):
- Reynaldo Lopez (RHRP)
- Hector Neris (RHRP)
- Yuki Matsui (LHRP)
I am convinced that Max Muncy will be the LAD 3B in 2024. He did not agree to a below market value 2-year deal so he could be traded. I believe he got enough assurances from AF/BG that he would not be traded if he extended.
Although there are a number of teams where be welcomed if traded. I read a Juan Toribio report that said the Dodgers might be looking into a possible Bo Bichette trade. Muncy would be perfect. But as I wrote above, he is not going anywhere.
If the Dodgers do trade for a SS, Gavin Lux would be included in the deal. Witt is not realistic. Adames is a possibility, but not someone I would trade Lux straight up for. But if the Dodgers had to take Adames in order to acquire Corbin Burnes, I am on board. There are very few better defensive SS in all of MLB, even if he does strikeout too much.
I am willing to give either Michael Busch or Miguel Vargas a clear runway in a fulltime role, but not both. AF/BG may disagree and keep both.
What is the fair price for Burnes. Anything I propose will be declared moronic by all, so as a moron, what do I have to lose.
For Burnes (32.0) – Miguel Vargas (17.6) and Gavin Stone (13.1). Trade simulator has it Brewers 32.0 and Dodgers at 30.7, a slight underpay for the Dodgers.
But I would add to the trade. Burnes (32.0) and MiLB 3B/2B Tyler Black (13.3) for Miguel Vargas (17.6), Gavin Stone (13.1), Landon Knack (10.1), and Maddux Bruns (5.7). That is Brewers at 45.3 and LAD at 46.5, a slight overpay for LAD, but IMO very much worth it. Even though with a lower trade simulator value, Black is younger, and a better 2B/3B option than Vargas.
Black – 558 PA – .284/.417/.513/.930 – 18 HR, 25 DBL, 88 BB, 100 K, 55 SB, 12 CS
Vargas – 285 PA – .288/.407/.479/.886 – 10 HR,15 DBL, 46 BB, 57K, 8 SB, 0 CS
I considered replacing Diego Cartaya (21.5) for Landon Knack and Maddux Bruns, but Milwaukee has a younger and more advanced catcher in Jefferson Quero. Milwaukee will want pitching.
I prefer the sure thing (or relatively so) of Corbin Burnes for 1 year than the great unknown of Gavin Stone, Landon Knack, and Maddux Bruns. I am undoubtedly in disagreement with LAD, but I am not all that high on Bruns. With three pitchers, one is probably due to make the rotation. Also with the loss of three pitchers, that would make it more urgent for a Burnes extension. Tyler Black is Rule 5 eligible and will probably be added to the 40 man next week. Risky for sure, but not for next year, and LAD has plenty more pitching to supplant those that are lost. So, this may be a deal I would do, it is not a deal AF will do.
One other pitcher I would look into is RHP Erick Fedde. Might he be the next Merrill Kelly who found himself in the KBO.
My Preferences:
Shohei Ohtani – FA
Add starting pitching:
- Jordan Montgomery as LHSP or (Eduardo Rodriguez) – FA
- Corbin Burnes (Trade)
- Erick Fedde – FA
Add relief pitching:
- Ryan Brazier (Reynaldo Lopez) – FA
- Shelby Miller (Yuki Matsui) – FA
Rotation:
- Corbin Burnes
- Jordan Montgomery
- Walker Buehler
- Bobby Miller
- Erick Fedde/Ryan Pepiot/Emmet Sheehan
Next Up:
- Michael Grove
- Nick Frasso
- River Ryan
We can get into the next up after these in a later post.
The Dodgers will sign or trade for a RH hitting OF. My choice would be Lourdes Gurriel Jr. But it appears that AF/BG prefers Teoscar Hernández.
If too expensive, Garrett Cooper is a RHH OF who hits LHP very well.
I would not say no to a Lane Thomas trade, but it would be less intrusive with a FA.
1B – Freeman
2B – Muncy
SS – Lux
3B – Black
LF – Hernandez (or Gurriel, Cooper, Thomas)
CF – Outman
RF – Betts
C – Smith
DH – Ohtani
Bench – Barnes, Rojas, Taylor, Busch
Rotation:
- Burnes
- Montgomery
- Buehler
- Miller
- Fedde (Pepiot)
Relievers:
- Pepiot (Brasier)
- Sheehan (Shelby Miller)
- Treinen
- Phillips
- Graterol
- Ferguson
- Vesia
- Grove
My team has plenty of pitching options, but I can also see AF/BG going minimalistic. I would not be surprised to see AF/BG acquire:
- Ohtani
- Eduardo Rodriguez (or Imanaga)
- Flaherty, Giolito, Lugo, Wacha or Severino
- Heyward
No trade
1B – Freeman
2B – Vargas
SS – Lux
3B – Muncy
LF – Busch/Taylor
CF – Outman
RF – Betts
C – Smith
DH – Ohtani
Bench – Barnes, Rojas, Heyward, Taylor/Busch
Rotation (5):
- Rodriguez (LHP)
- Buehler (RHP)
- Miller (RHP)
- Giolito/Flaherty/Lugo/Wacha/Severino (RHP)
- Pepiot (RHP)
Relievers (8):
- Treinen (RHP)
- Phillips (RHP)
- Graterol (RHP)
- Ferguson (LHP)
- Vesia (LHP)
- Almonte (RHP)
- Yarbrough (LHP)
- Feyereisen (RHP)
MiLB starters in AAA – Sheehan (RHP), Stone (RHP), Knack (RHP), Frasso (RHP) + two AAAA SP (preferably LHP)
AA – River Ryan (RHP), Kendall Williams (RHP), Maddux Bruns (LHP), Justin Wrobleski (LHP), Ben Casparius (RHP), Hyun-il Choi (RHP)
AAA Relievers – Grove (RHP), Hurt (RHP), V. Gonzalez (LHP), Varland (RHP), B. Hudson (LHP), Alec Gamboa (RHP), Ben Harris (RHP), John Rooney (LHP)
Depending on which FA Freidman/Gomes sign other than Ohtani, it is conceivable that the Dodgers could slide under the CBT threshold. I do not believe that should be a concern, but maybe the owners do.
I am sure I can come up with more than a dozen more scenarios. Too many RHP, too many catchers, too many platoon/utility players, not enough quality infielders (especially middle), not enough quality OF, not enough LHP. FA and trades are needed to balance it all out.
Still so much to follow.
Good read.
Dodgers need a LH starter? I know you don’t believe it as I’ve said it before and you didn’t agree then. The Dodgers need starting pitching that isn’t concerned about matchups. Matchups are for the bullpen.
You want Fedde you can get him. I had to look him up. Yeah, he got KBO hitters out. AA level hitters. But, worth looking into I guess.
I would think Milwaukee might be interested in Lux. I’m sure he would be interested in them. We’ve talked about Adames before. He’s a few million more expensive, but he would fit. Lux and Rojas give a L/R combo but Adames hits RHP just fine. His career stats show he’s better against RHP. I believe it’s possible to work something out. That’s why yesterday I made that trade, mostly for Burnes. Burnes doesn’t care who’s up. The problem might be Burnes is still arb eligible for ‘24.
Burnes, Imagana and Ohtani. It can be done. Re-sign Heyward and Hernandez. Dodgers win the West again.
I like everything except that bench. No on Henandez please. He strikes out way too much. Isn’t Gurriel younger?
I said I wanted Gurriel but I think AF prefers Hernández. I would be okay with Lane Thomas (trade) or Garrett Cooper (inexpensive FA from Torrance).
I am not in agreement, but IMO, the Dodgers look too much into HR and not enough in bat to ball skills. But it is the HR that gets the OPS up there. It is hard to justify a corner OF without a .800+ OPS, and none of the 4 reached .800 in 2023. Cooper was the closest at .783.
Here is one I have been looking at for awhile. Baltimore’s Anthony Santander. 29 year old switch hitting RF with year control. His 2022 OPS was .797. Baltimore has at least 2 OF ready for the show. Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. Both MLB top 25 prospects. When was the last time the Dodgers had an OF in the top 25? Much less 2 at the same time?
Man the O’s are going to be good if they get a front line pitcher.
How about TJ Friedl from Cincinnati. LH Hitter who beats up on LHP. Not a lot of power, but a plus .800 OPS. A very good 16.2% K rate and a MLB average BB rate of 8.5%. He is also a CF who can play RF and LF. He is 28 but has 5 years control. He is pre-arb. It is going to cost A LOT.
One more. Randy Arozarena – RH hitting LF with even splits. 23.9% K rate and 12.2% BB rate. 20-23 HR power. We know he hits in the playoffs. 3 years of control. He is going to cost as well.
Change the mindset. Could be a wrong decision, but the only known wrong decision is to continue the way they have gone.
Just to be a devils advocate I question the need to change the way they have gone. Pepiot, Sheehan, Grove, and Stone will have 2023 under their belts whereas they didn’t last year.
The playoffs got off to a bad start with Kershaw opening game one. The Dodgers didn’t hit in game two and the bullpen didn’t let Miller’s jitters take them out of the game. Lynn was a terrible decision for game 3 since Pepiot was pitching so well at the end of the season.
The Dodgers won 100 games.
Don’t forget, in the game Lynn gave up 4 gopher balls in one inning the team only gave up 4 runs. The Dodgers score more than by accident sometimes. Kershaw’s hairball aside, pitching didn’t lose that series, lack of offense did.
As for our young pitchers, I have confidence in most of them. Sheehan and Pepiot look like starters. One of Stone and Grove will step up. Frasso, Knack, Hurt, Ryan are all good enough to use in trade if they aren’t used on the 26 sometime next year. I firmly believe our pitching will be better and I trust Friedman will make it so.
Without any addition to the rotation:
Buehler (will be on innings restriction)
Miller
Pepiot
Sheehan
Stone
Is that a winning rotation? Somehow I do not believe teams will be intimidated. If the hitting disappears as it has the last two Octobers, then the rotation better be solid, which it wasn’t the last two Octobers, save Tyler Anderson, who was pulled after 5.0 scoreless innings and 86 pitches in win or go home Game 4. 2 hits and 2 walks, with 6 Ks. Once again Roberts shows he does not watch the game in front of him. He does this every October, so maybe the above will work. They just better figure out why Mookie and Freddie could not hit last year, and Mookie the last two years.
“Is that a winning rotation?”
Nope.
That’s why I traded for Burnes (used one of those guys to do it) signed Imanaga and look for the latest reclamation project.
I merely meant to say I believe our young pitchers are good enough to contribute. With the exception of Miller, I don’t see any aces in the group. I did say if we get Ohtani, Adames, Lee (and Arenado) our offense would be good enough we could get by with 5 #3s. I still think that’s true.
Both Mookie and Freddie know they swallowed olives. There is nothing Roberts can do to prevent that from happening again. That’s up to them.
Who said it was a winning rotation?
With piggybacks the Dodgers need more pitchers but they don’t have to be elite. It’s more about who are included in the 13 pitchers on the 26 with or without the use of piggybacks.
You like average piggyback pitchers. I am not a fan. You have piggyback pitchers because you do not have enough top pitchers. I prefer top of the rotation pitchers who can pitch 6-7 innings and have high leverage relievers. I prefer relievers who can pitch in back to back games rather than every 5 days. I prefer pitchers who can pitch 180-200 innings annually. I prefer Gerrit Cole to Emmet Sheehan.
“…I question the need to change the way they have gone. “…Because some of us will stop following the team. I was fed up at the start of the season because of all the garbage that Friedbrain gave us. I was so sick of it I rooted against the Dodgers. Now, if Friedbrain doesn’t do anything this off-season, I will not follow the 2024 season. And if it continues past 2024, I will consider following a different team — even after 61 years.
If you’re strong enough, you don’t need to take the sh!t you’re fed.
Interesting way to define strength.
I’m working off the Operation Ohtani success outline. I’m still not very confident it will happen, but it makes the exercise a little easier. After handing Ohtani 500 million, I think Friedman shrinks back to bargain mode on the free agent front. Great point about signing two QO free agents. It isn’t happening. I think we trade for a short term starter and sign a mid-priced lefty. I’d be happy with Burnes or Cease, but I think the WS might be a little easier to deal with and we get two years with Cease. I don’t see either guy getting extended and Ohtani essentially replaces them in the rotation down the line (in theory). I suspect the Rodriguez and Shota bidding will get too high, so I guess Paxton, Perez, or Manaea. Whichever is the last one standing ready to deal. Grove takes on Shelby Miller’s role in the pen. I think Hurt beats out Treinen coming out of spring.
SP – Cease, Buehler, Miller, Pepiot, Manaea/Sheehan
RP – Phillips, Graterol, Yarborough, Grove, Hurt, Ferguson, Vesia
Mookie permanently moving to 2B seems inevitable and I think his time there only increases. When Outman got the hang of CF and Mookie replaced Vargas improving the middle defense, the team started to surge last year. For that reason, I don’t think Lux lasts at SS too long before Rojas goes back full time and I don’t see him hitting where we can’t take him out of the lineup. I think they’ll prepare for that adding Teoscar, bringing back Heyward or Kike.
OF – Teoscar, Outman, Heyward, Vargas(if he isn’t traded, otherwise DeLuca)
1B – Freddie 2B – Betts SS – Rojas. 3B – Muncy
Catcher – Smith, Barnes
Bench – Taylor, Lux
Ohtani
They’re going to try selling us that Buehler coming back is like adding a star free agent. They’re going to tell us they like Cease better than any FA starter on the market. They’re going to tell us they still expect Kershaw back at some point in the season. They’re going to advertise the youth movement again. I don’t hate it, but it’s definitely the same formula.
I don’t understand. Are you really suggesting that Sheehan, Stone, Knack, Frasso, Hurt, Grove et al ALL belong in the minor leagues?!?!
Madness I tell ya
Grove will be a reliever. He may make the roster. But it depends as to who else is there. Who would he replace, and why? If Yarbrough and/or Almonte are non-tendered as has been rumored, then yes Grove will be on the 26 man come April.
If the Dodgers sign two FA or sign one and trade for one, how do Sheehan or Stone or Knack or Frasso make the rotation. Both Sheehan and Stone have not been able to hold on to a rotation spot. Would I rather have Jordan Montgomery and Corbin Burnes in the rotation over Sheehan and Stone? To say no would be madness. If you do not believe the Dodgers are going to sign or trade for at least SP, you are not listening to AF/BG.
Even considering the AF minimal route, they are still signing someone in the Eduardo Rodriguez level and someone at the Giolito/Flaherty/Lugo/Wacha/Severino level. Neither Sheehan or Stone will beat out Rodriguez, Buehler, Miller, Giolito group, Pepiot. So where do you put them? They need to go to AAA to be ready for the inevitable injury.
Nick Frasso is good. But he has all of 4 starts and 19.0 IP at AAA. He has 152.0 career MiLB IP in 3 years. You really believe he is ready for the MLB rotation?
Stone is more likely to be in the bullpen with the Dodgers. He is more of a Ross Stripling/Mitch White type. Long reliever/#6. I also get the vibe that Sheehan may be headed to the pen as well. But both will start at OKC to keep them stretched out and ready.
Kyle Hurt may break camp with LAD, but again, he is going to have to beat out one of the existing relievers. The Dodgers had the best bullpen after June. Kyle Hurt’s days as a starter are probably behind him. Maybe he should go to OKC and assume the closer role. Be able to pitch in back to back games in a high leverage situation.
These are my opinions and why I have them. I support my opinions. I don’t just blindly say the Dodgers should only bring up their MiLB pitchers. None of those you brought up are top of the rotation types. None of them have the potential that Dustin May had. The one exception may be Nick Frasso. He could be a #2 or #3 if he continues to develop.
Here is what MLB Pipeline says about Nick. They know far more than me, I do not know where you believe your level of scouting acumen falls.
BTW, In 25 starts in 2023, Nick did get in a few 5.0 IP starts, but only registered 93.0 IP. That is about a 3.2 IP per start. I stand with what I said. He is not ready for MLB except perhaps in a reliever role. But he has too much SP potential, that would be a mistake.
Finally, I said that all of them would begin 2024 at AAA. I never said they would not be on the 26 man at some point in 2024. When was the last year the Dodgers did not have an injured pitcher? Why do you think they keep the depth they do?
Good response. I think we have to use the arms that are ready.
I still like using a piggyback in one or more of the rotation spots. If Grove and Stone pitch every fifth day as a piggyback then it might be said they are hybrid starters/relievers. That gets them on the 26 and reduces the bullpen by one or two pitchers.
If Buehler is going to have his innings reduced this year then he is another pitcher that could be piggybacked. The alternative would be a 6 man rotation or pulling him after 5 innings and wearing down the bullpen.
A question might be about the number of innings the Dodgers want their bullpen to pitch versus how many they want their starters to pitch with piggyback pitchers defined as starters.
Would Grove, Stone, Buehler, Sheehan pitching 400 innings as piggybacks be better than Treinen, Phillips, Graterol, Ferguson, Vesia, Almonte pitching a lot of those 400 innings?
Is Buehler/Sheehan combo for 8+ innings better than Burnes for 6+?
Is Grove/Stone combo for 8+ innings better than Montgomery for 6+?
Would money going to Yamamoto be better than money going to Burnes and Montgomery?
“If the Dodgers sign two FA or sign one and trade for one, how do Sheehan or Stone or Knack or Frasso make the rotation.”
6 man rotation, with each of those guys getting time off during the summer. There’s plenty of room for more pitching.
Good ideas Jeff.
So many options for the Dodgers. Ohtani may be inevitable and may be the right business decision, but for 2024 it is only a modest upgrade over JDM to me. Also, Ohtani makes a left handed lineup, even more left handed. And Ohtani is much better against RHP than LHP. The other most likely lineup additions in 2024 are also LHB in Lux and Busch. The base lineup would have 6 everyday LHB with Ohtani, Freeman, Muncy, Lux, Outman and Busch(or Heyward).
The starting pitching needs to be the main focus. I like a trade for Burnes, and sign Imanaga, and Lugo. No lost draft pick and still probably under the luxury tax even with Ohtani.
I had ruled out Eduardo Rodriguez due to the trade fiasco, but if all Friedman had to do was add another option year, then he should have done it. His option would have been at most 4 yr, $69 million, which is well below current market estimates of 4yr for $80-$90 million at Fangraphs and MLBTR. Eduardo simply would have opted out anyway or taken a below market deal for the Dodgers. Seems like a very modest concession for Friedman to walk away from his most important trade deadline deal.
Putting Muncy and Witt in a “won’t be traded” box takes a lot of fun out of the guessing game.
Tyler Black
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
Black, like Busch and Vargas, does not have a position. I’ll pass.
I don’t think we know the details of Muncy’s contract. He might have a clause that requires him to be paid a few million if traded.
I like Bichette’s righty bat if the Dodgers sign Ohtani and would put him at 3rd.
Lefty bats: Freeman, Lux, Outman, Ohtani, Heyward?
Righty bats: Smith, Betts, Bichette, Taylor, DeLuca
It would be nice to have a lefty starter but I’ll take the best pitcher available.
Don’t our hitting prospects have 55 grades?
A lot of well thought out guesses in here this morning. I applaud the group. It’s not a standing ovation, just a respectful applaud.
Yes. Rushing, Busch, and Cartaya.
I’m pretty sure I read Vargas was a 55. He’s still a prospect as far as I’m concerned.
Yes, Vargas was a 55 with a 60 hit skill. Maybe something clicks this year, or maybe it is more of the same at the MLB level. From what I am now reading, Betts is scheduled to have significant time at 2B. It would appear that the Dodgers are not overly sold on Vargas as an everyday player. I hope you are right and he becomes an everyday MLB hitter. I say hitter, because I do not believe he will be good defensively. If he hits enough, the Dodgers will hide him somewhere defensively. Could LF be in his future?
I continue to believe that one of Busch and Vargas will be included in a trade. How much they are valued by opposing teams, I guess we will find out. I still believe it will be whichever player the opposing team wants more in the trade.
I already traded one of them for Burnes. Milwaukee’s choice.
I expect both to be ready. What that means for each I don’t know.
Tyler Black is 3 years younger than Busch and 1 year younger than Vargas. He may not have a solid defensive position, but he is a better defensively than either Busch or Vargas. But he has one skill that neither Busch or Vargas has…speed. Black has 55 run skill, Busch 45, and Vargas 40. Black had 55 steals last year alone. Vargas has 57 in 5 years, and Busch has 10 in his career. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to be able to steal more bases than Freddie Freeman?
The idea of Black was to replace one of Busch or Vargas. At least one will be traded. But as an addition to Burnes. I would not be advocating a trade for Black on his own. But I assume you would take Jake Gelof over Black? Another in a long line of non-position LAD prospects?
My trades may not be as sexy as believing that Bobby Witt is a realistic option, but at least Tyler Black is a plausible top 51 prospect.
BTW, I would prefer Sal Frelick or Jackson Chourio or even Garrett Mitchell from Milwaukee. But they are not going to be traded.
I have been a Bo Bichette advocate forever. And someone in the Toronto organization did mention him as a possible trade chit. But I believe that as much as I believe that Luis Robert Jr. will be traded.
I get why you like Black. But, I also get why the Dodgers may not. Power 40, Arm and Field 45.
Witt and Bichette are players I don’t see being traded.
We won’t need more hitting after Ohtani is signed. If he isn’t signed, then veteran bats will be added, not prospects. If he isn’t signed might as well re-sign JD and Heyward, get Burnes and Adames, sign Lee or Teoscar for left, pick up the next reclamation project (you know there will be one) and go with the young arms that step up in ST. We have a few from which to choose.
I would only want Adames if he comes with Burnes. Lux would have to go to Milwaukee in the return. I am not altogether sure how accurate the Baseball Trade Simulator is, but they have a fair trade as Lux, Stone, and Ferguson going to Milwaukee in the trade. Milwaukee has a trade simulator value of 44.7 for Burnes and Adames, while the trade simulator value for the Dodgers trio is 44.9. Burnes has one year control, while Adames has 2. Lux would be going home, so I think he would eat that up. Maybe Devin Williams can help Stone with his change. The Brewers can use a LHRP at the level of Caleb Ferguson (so can a lot of teams).
If the Dodgers have no intent on trying to extend Burnes, then the trade probably should not happen. They probably should look to extend Adames as well, as they have zero in the pipeline for SS.
Are you sure Adames still has 2 years of control remaining? I think he and Burnes are both done at the end of 2024.
Good idea to have Devin Williams help Stone with his change, but let’s have him do it in LA instead of Milwaukee.
You are right, Adames is FA in 2025. It still is a fair trade per the simulator. The Dodgers are not going to get all three of the Brewers best trade options in one deal. The Brewers will get much more if they are broken up. Burnes and Adames have been linked to the Dodgers it seems like forever. I am not sure Burnes and Adames get traded as a tandem to any other team. I guess it is possible that Williams can go to LAD by himself.
Trade Simulator approves of this trade:
Dodgers get: Burnes, Adames, Devin Williams
Brewers get: Lux, Sheehan, Busch, Ferguson
Only problem is that if we can’t extend Adames, we’re left without a shortstop in 2025. Williams still has 2 years of control.
It sure would be great if the Dodgers could move Cartaya to a team that has pitching and needs catching. Milwaukee has a better, and 13 month younger, catching prospect in Jefferson Quero.
Diego Cartaya – Trade simulator – 21.5
Miguel Vargas – Trade simulator – 17.6
Michael Busch – Trade simulator – 16.0
Maddux Bruns – Trade simulator – 5.7
Caleb Ferguson – Trade simulator – 8.1
Michael Grove – Trade simulator – 6.5
One would think the Dodgers could get some interesting SP in a trade for some combination of the above
I think you’re absolutely correct that they would never package all 3 of those guys in one trade. Would definitely get a better return trading them separately, or at least no more than 2 together.
If the Dodgers really want to shake things up, they trade Cartaya.
Nothing would tell me more than that that they are changing their approach..
You need a team that wants him. His trade value has plummeted.
If that’s true don’t trade him.
This is closer to fair.
Black with his speed and weak arm is best suited for second and that is where Betts is going to play unless he moves to third which is a new and mind stretching idea.
I want to give up more and get more instead of settling for Black. Yes Black is more available than Witt. Plausible? Again, only to one team.
I said no to Black because while offering something Busch or Vargas doesn’t, he doesn;t move the needle.
Okay, my brain has decided to read better. Replacing Black for one of Vargas or Busch has merit especially if it were done in context Jeff proposed the trade–as part of a Burnes trade and not as a standalone.
My bad.
And yet a bunch of average piggyback pitchers move the needle for you. You misread into why Black. I never said I wanted him as a focal part of a trade. He is a throw in to replace Busch or Vargas. I was looking for a throw in with Burnes, who I prefer to Sheehan/Stone piggyback. Imagine me wanting a top 51 prospect, 3 years younger than Busch. Is he a difference maker? No more than Busch or Vargas, but probably more so than Deluca. You prefer a reserve OF, I prefer an infielder who can play as much as Busch or Vargas, and Burnes comes with him.
AF/BG sounds like a weird online sex fetish.