If the Dodgers do indeed go to a 6-man rotation, that would leave them with 7 in the bullpen, at least initially. Shohei needs to pitch 20 innings before he regains two-way player status.
Effective with the 2020 season, “two-way player” became an official MLB roster classification. A player qualifies for two-way player once he reaches the following statistical milestones in either the current or the immediately previous season:
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At least 20 MLB innings pitched.
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Appearing in at least 20 MLB games as a position player or designated hitter, with at least 3 plate appearances in each of the 20 games.
If the Dodgers stick with their 6-man rotation, the Dodgers bullpen is currently:
- Blake Treinen
- Alex Vesia
- Anthony Banda
- Michael Kopech
- Evan Phillips
- Ryan Brasier
Pick One:
- Dustin May?
- Edgardo Henriquez?
- Michael Grove?
- Jack Dreyer?
- Giovanny Gallegos?
Once Ohtani reaches 20 IP, the Dodgers can move up to 8 relievers.
Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda, Evan Phillips, and Ryan Brasier were all waiver wire pickups, non-tendered, or just released. IMO, AF may have found his next relief proclamation project in Giovanny Gallegos, former closer with St. Louis.
That is the basis for a very good bullpen with multiple late inning high leverage relievers on the roster. If we assume Dustin May is going to be the #7 in the pen, the seven relievers combined salary will be between $31MM and $32MM.
May could also be in the rotation, at least initially. Others not mentioned above who could move into the rotation or into the pen…Justin Wrobleski, Landon Knack, Ben Casparius.
This also assumes that the six-man rotation projects to be Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, Miller, Gonsolin, Knack. Ohtani and Kershaw will be rotated in when they return to pitching. I do not believe AF/BG tabs Emmet Sheehan for the rotation unless it is needed,
The Dodgers are already at $335.4MM Luxury Tax Payroll (per Cots) with a corresponding $79.3MM in projected tax. That is $414.7 projected payroll cost before Teoscar and Clayton Kershaw.
Tanner Scott is projected at 4 years $56MM ($14MM AAV). The Dodgers have agreed to a free agent contract for more than 3 years once…Kenley Jansen. Jansen was a $16MM AAV for 5 years. If the projected 7 relievers have a combined salary between $31MM and $32MM, I do not see AF spending another $14MM just for Scott.
When I say I do not think AF will commit $56MM for one reliever, that does not mean that I do not want Scott. He would be a fantastic addition. It is just not where AF spends his $$. Maybe AF fools me this year.
Tanner Scott is not the only high end reliever the Dodgers could be interested in. Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams, and Emmanuel Clase have all been rumored to be available. The Dodgers could put packages together for one of those. However, Helsley and Williams are one year rentals, and will probably be held on to until the deadline when the prospect price goes up.
Another one year rental who appears to be available is Tampa Bay’s Pete Fairbanks.
Again, AF is not fond of trading top prospects for relievers. I cannot remember the last time he did. Michael Kopech AND Tommy Edman cost the Dodgers Miguel Vargas, plus lower tier prospects (non-top 30) INF Alexander Albertus, and INF Jeral Perez. The Dodgers also got a promising RHP, Oliver Gonzalez. He pitched well as a 17 year old in the DSL.
Another traded for LAD reliever is Alex Vesia. He and RHP Kyle Hurt were traded by Miami to LAD for reliever RHRP Dylan Floro.
Brusdar Graterol was also picked up via trade from Minnesota, but the primary lead in that trade was not a prospect…Kenta Maeda. Catcher Jair Camargo went to Minnesota and OF Luke Raley came to LAD in that deal as well. Camargo was never a prospect.
That is how AF trades for relievers.
IMO, AF is more likely to sign one of the following relievers on a one year deal.
- Paul Sewald
- Kirby Yates
- Spencer Turnbull
- Michael Soroka
- AJ Minter
- Jakob Junis
- Andrew Kittredge
- David Robertson
It is just my opinion, and it is one based on AF’s tendencies. I will not be upset one iota if AF signs Tanner Scott. I just do not expect it.
One final thought on this…the Dodgers need Teoscar Hernández more than Tanner Scott. So if they are going to spend, spend it on Teoscar.
Per Ken Rosenthal, both NYY teams are two of the most aggressive teams looking to trade for Garrett Crochet. NYM has better prospects to offer, including middle infield prospects Luisangel Acuña, Jett Williams (top 100 prospect), and Ronny Mauricio. NYY could offer OF Spencer Jones and SS George Lombard Jr.
Tyler Glasnow, who missed the final seven weeks of the regular season and all of October with an elbow sprain, is throwing, Gomes told reporters in Dallas. From Cary Osborne at Dodgers Insider:
With most starters only going 5-6 innings it seems like they need a long reliever in the bullpen. Who might that be? Knack? May? Casparius? Gonsolin? A new pitcher?
Where’s Bear? Haven’t seen him post in the comments in a few days.
Per Morosi:
Multiple MLB team execs tell me prices for FA pitchers are high, and relatively few clubs are willing to pay them.
This creates incentives for *contenders* to listen to trade offers on their starting pitchers.
Framber Valdez is one. Dylan Cease is another.
Hi guys. I am actually in Harbor General Hospital in Carson. I had emergency surgery on my ankle. I have gout and an infection in there too
Per Ken Rosenthal, the next elite pitcher, Max Fried, is expected to agree to terms by Thursday. He is expected to choose between NYY, Boston, and Toronto. Whichever two teams are out of the Fried sweepstakes, will be the frontrunners for Burnes. The Giants are also in on Burnes. There is also speculation that Baltimore is not saying no to retaining Burnes. But that Chris Davis contract still has a hold on them. New ownership with deeper pockets…go for it.
How about Grichuk if we whiff on Teo??????
NYY and Max Fried have reportedly agreed on an 8 year, $218MM deal. Corbin Burnes has a much less injury risk, is a year younger than Fried, and has $cott Bora$ as his agent. If Fried gets 7 years, what might that portend for Burnes. Blake Snell’s contract is looking better and better.
Per Gomes Muncy is the Dodgers third baseman. Pretty much puts the Arenado trade rumors to bed. With Roberts stating on MLB Network last night that Betts is the SS and Lux is the second baseman that settles the infield for next season. Hope they sign Teo. The outfield is pretty anemic right now.
Fried to NYY; 8 years $218M.
I found this note from Ardaya interesting, especially in light of how the Dodgers showed interest in Edman before trading for him:
A detail from Andrew Friedman today: Dodgers had shown interest in Michael Conforto at last year’s trade deadline before signing him this winter.
Same was the case with Blake Snell. I’m sure a Dodgers-Giants deal would’ve gone over well at the time.
It is getting crazier and crazier with FA. RHSP Nathan Eovaldi just agreed to re-sign with Texas for 3 years and $75MM.
Posted this in the wrong thread:
Major League Baseball conducted its third annual draft lottery this afternoon at the Winter Meetings. The Nationals won the lottery and will pick first overall. They’ll be followed by the Angels and Mariners. Washington had just above a 10% chance of securing the top pick, the fourth-highest odds.
Here’s the top 5:
NationalsAngelsMarinersRockiesCardinalsPer Ardaya:
Andrew Friedman on Teoscar Hernández: “I know that he has talked about wanting to (re-sign), I know that we have talked about wanting him to…But it’s not everything. He and his family get to go through the interest and figure out what makes the most sense for them.”
Per Doug McKain:
Andrew Friedman says that Roki Sasaki is a major priority for the Dodgers:
“He is someone that obviously is a major priority for us and we’re going to do whatever we can, and know that there are a lot of other teams that are going to do the exact same thing.”
Friedman went on to say Sasaki is capable of being the best pitcher in the world.
As I continue to think of dealing with CWS for Crochet or Luis Robert Jr., the less optimistic I am that Gavin Lux is a fit for CWS. Yes, the ChiSox need a 2B (badly), and Lux is a good one. But they are also more than 2 years away from being a serious contender even for a WC. Lux has 2 years of control, thus he is not going to help CWS when they are ready to contend. CWS will do MUCH better for either player. Backup catchers and platoon OF, no matter how many you want to include, are not more coveted than top 10, and multiple top 100 prospects.
Because Sasaki was posted on Dec. 10, he could sign in either the 2024 international signing period or the 2025 international signing period.
If Sasaki signs for the 2024 period, he would have to reach an agreement by Dec. 15, which is when that current signing period ends.