I have given up trying to figure out what the Dodgers do for roster construction. Shortly after Arizona pulled Ketel Marte as a trade option, the Dodgers signed Andy Ibáñez to a MLB contract and picked up Tyler Fitzgerald off waivers from Minnesota. Ibáñez, who was non-tendered by Detroit, and Fitzgerald are non-descript marginal utility infielders, of which the Dodgers have an overabundance of.
Fitzgerald is taking up a 40 man spot, but I am betting if he is still with the Dodgers after ST, they have told him to check out apartments in OKC. Fitzgerald has two options remaining.
Strangely enough Ibáñez could be more short term as he has no remaining options, and either has to make the 26-man or be DFA. That would necessarily mean that Alex Freeland and his two options could also be headed back to OKC. The LAD argument for that? He will get more AB at OKC than on the LAD bench.
Miggy Ro was reportedly going to be semi-platooned with Max at 3B. What has changed to make Ibáñez necessary?
Fitzgerald made his MLB debut at the age of 31. He will join yet another utility infielder at OKC, Austin Gauthier. The OKC SS figures to be Noah Miller who is arguably a much better option than either Fitzgerald or Gauthier.
Because I do not understand the end game, I cannot be critical of these two transactions. But I hope this is not what we were supposed to be patient for. I am comfortably sure it isn’t. But I have no idea who else will be donning LAD Blue in a few short weeks at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.
Once again, the difference makers most often discussed on the rumors pages are, in no order: Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, and Cody Bellinger.
Bregman has never been linked to LAD, and IMO, Belli has not been linked to LAD except by Scott Boras to drive the $$$. I think we fans are more enamored with Bichette than AF/BG. I have never read a report indicating the Dodgers were aggressively pursuing him. Checking in on him periodically? Often? Sure, why not.
Not one of the teams reportedly pursuing him consider him a SS, and right now only the Cubs are looking at him as a 3B. From the reports I have perused, Bichette seems to be a fall back option for most MLB pursuers. Bichette has always been clear that he wants to end his career as a Blue Jay. Then why is Toronto so cold on him? Is there a red flag we are not seeing?
One of the reasons could be a recent report from Jon Heyman indicating that Bichette is looking for a $300MM deal. I am sure Heyman didn’t just pull this out of his behind, but this is way more than anyone has speculated as his asking price.
Philadelphia has recently jumped into the Bichette market. And they would love to slide Bichette into 2B, move Bryson Stott to 3B, and trading Alec Bohm. Apparently the negotiations with JT Realmuto have not gone well.
The negotiations between NYY and Cody Bellinger have seemingly hit a snag, and now NYY seems to be shifting to Bichette. These are all negotiating tactics. I am still going with Bellinger to NYY. Why would he go anywhere else?
Then there is Kyle Tucker. It has been reported that the bidding is coming down to Toronto, LAD, and NYM. Of the three, only Toronto has a longer term consideration. Both LAD and NYM are short term high AAV options. The Dodgers figure to be at an advantage if it comes down to LAD and NYM. Toronto is still the heavy favorite to sign Tucker.
Bregman is a strong lean to re-sign with Boston, but he may be insistent on a 6 year deal, and that is something that Boston may not be willing to do. Detroit offered 6 years and $171.5MM last year, but there is no indication they are offering it again this year. Toronto has 0seemingly fallen out of the Bregman pursuit after signing Kazuma Okamoto to play 3B. The Cubs want Bregman to play 3B, moving Matt Shaw to 2B, and trading Nico Hoerner. That could perhaps open up trade possibility for LAD if they are comfortable with trading significant prospects for one year of Hoerner.
Now that Anthony Rendon’s contract has been cleared with the deferrals, it has been reported that the Angels are now in hot pursuit of Bregman. They are now in a position to offer Bregman the years and $$$ he wants. Scott Boras does not care about whether the team is a legit contender, only what the $$$ are. So if the Angels want to pay more, they might have a chance.
One of the four needs to sign to break the logjam. Which one will it be?
Interesting thoughts as always Jeff.
I had the same musings about Bichette and Toronto. They seem to have moved on from him rather easily considering how well he’s played for them, and that he made it clear he’d like to remain with them. Is there more to his wounded knee than we know?
Im not so sure that AF would make too much noise if he was interested in signing him. We didn’t see the Blake Snell signing coming.
The commitment to Ohtani and his huge deferred wages are meant to allow these kinda signings and as I said before, AF will know like us that the Dodgers got very fortunate to win it all last year.
He knows that Mookie, Freddie, Max and Teo’s best years are behind them, and he knows he needs to address the resultant drop off in numbers.
Tucker or Bichette.
As I see it Tucker puts Pages in center and Kim at second. Bichette puts Edman in center and Kim on the bench. Edman in center won’t likely happen until later. He’s just out of a boot.
I prefer the Tucker scenario. Either way I don’t think it will be the only move. You know who I want.
According to a couple of articles I have read, the Tucker sweepstakes are down to 3 teams, Cub, Jays and Dodgers. Do not know how much truth there is in that, but it seems a 4-year deal from LA is what the Dodgers would like. High AAV, short term with opt outs. Nice win by Indiana. Glad to see the Ducks get smoked.
My guess is Tucker to the Jays, Bichette to the Phils, Bregman back to the Sox, and Bellinger back to the Yankees. That leaves AF either making a trade for an outfielder or standing pat. For Toronto, trading Bichette for Tucker would be a wash while adding overrated Cease does nothing for them.
The signings of Ibanez & Fitzgerald by AF seem strange to me.
Pulling for Indiana in the championship game. Too bad Mendoza is going to the Raiders. Too nice a guy; they’ll ruin him.
Good take Brooklyn. As much as I’d like to think you’re wrong about that, I don’t. The Dodgers play in all of this may be just to drive the prices up. I believe there will be a trade or trades.
I’d like to see the Rams trade up to get Mendoza. Their losing to Atlanta may have prevented that possibility.
I’ll say Bellinger to NYY happens first.
At an impasse right now. I believe the length of contract is the biggest issue.
Ok. I say he won’t. One of us will be right. 5 push-ups?
X10
ok. Might take a while.
Rockies just traded for CF Jake McCarthy of the Diamondbacks. Pretty good outfielder.
Interesting trade between intra-division rivals, Colorado and Arizona. Arizona needed to move one of their OF, and preferred it to be Jake McCarthy. Arizona traded McCarthy to Colorado for the Rockies RHP prospect Josh Grosz. Grosz was unranked in Baseball America’s recently published top 30 prospects for Colorado.
Arizona moved one of their OF for organizational pitching depth, and Colorado got another great glove no hit OF. Does that open the door for the Rockies to trade Brenton Doyle? The Rockies do not need both McCarthy and Doyle.
The Rockies got Grosz and LHP prospect, Griffin Herring, from NYY in the Ryan McMahon deadline trade last year. Remember, Dick Montfort did not want to trade McMahon as he was a favorite of Montfort’s. Thus, in essence, the Rockies traded McMahon for LHP prospect Griffin Herring (#12 BA top 30), and Jake McCarthy. Not a great return. If the Rockies had traded McMahon after 2021, when most thought he was at his peak trade value, the return would have been better. Keep owners personal feelings out of player personnel decisions.
I’m going on record now and predicting Brenton Doyle will be a Dodger within 2 weeks, probably sooner.
Freeland and/or Kim will be part of the package going back.
Doyle is a glove first outfielder. His career BA is just .230. He hits 40 points higher at Coors. His career OPS is under .700. His OBP is under .300. He does have some power; he had 15 homers last year. He also has some speed; he stole 18 bases. But his WAR was 0.1. I don’t believe he is much of an upgrade.
I actually don’t know who that is. And yes, Dear Bruto, I know how to google.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50 age 27
Doyle Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50 | Age 27
PCA Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 80 | Overall: 60 | Age 23
Sirota Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55 | Age 22
Hope Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60 | Age 20
Rafaela Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 70 | Overall: 55 } Age 25
Duran Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55 | Age 29
Pages Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55 | Age 25
Duran runs better than PCA?
I don’t think so.
Why?
Thanks for this comparison.
The Cubs and Red Sox are both indicating they don’t plan to trade those players. And if they change their minds, the cost would be much much higher.
Pages would be of more benefit in right than in center.
Hope and Sirota have barely any experience above high A ball.
O’Malley never worried about such things, heck, he ordered the trade of Maury Wills. McCarthy is a .260 career hitter, so it is not like he can’t hit. He doesn’t have much power but will probably get a few at Coors. His BA at Coors is .374 in 14 games there.
I read the other day in MLBTR that MLB had discussions about an in-season tournament like the NBA has. No thanks. Outside of screwing up the schedule, it adds to an already long year. The Dodgers played 201 games in 25. 22 in spring, 162 regular season games and 17 in their playoff run. Too much chance of a season altering injury to a key player also.
We played 130 games a year on our softball team for about 7 years in a row and we were working full time jobs.Now we played about on the weekends while the weather was decent and we would play some of the year during the week.We had one of the better teams in Ms.We were sponsored by Dudley Sporting Goods which is a world wide company. I loved the atmosphere and competition but most of all,I loved my team and playing with my friends.
Do we know for a fact that this tournament would be in addition to the regular schedule?
Maybe they just create some sort of tournament inside the already scheduled 162 games. Isn’t that the way the NBA tournament works?
That said, I have no interest in it.
Probably in season with no additional games, but it would be a bear to schedule. That being said, MLB is a much stronger league than the NBA, and I doubt the players union would like it much unless it meant more money.
Could give a few fan bases something to cheer about. Meaningless otherwise.
Celebrate with a parade, a banner, a trophy, and be included in the draft lottery.
Parade? Sure. In whatever city wins it, who cares?
Draft lottery? Uh, no.
Rams are often hard to watch.
Phew
Packers pasting the Bears. I hope they win because then they play the Seahawks.
Well, the Pack choked. Rams will play Seahawks.
Yeah. That was too close.
49ers get the Hawks, and the Rams have to go to Chicago.
Buster Olney is reporting that Belli and the Yanks are at an impasse in negotiations.
If the previously reported numbers are correct (approximately 5 years at about 30MM per year) I think Mr. B. (Bellinger or Boras, take your pick) is making a big mistake here.
I don’t see anyone giving him a better deal than that, and if he doesn’t change his mind and sign that deal quickly, he may wind up with something substantially less than that. Who is going to do better for him? I know Boras likes to have his players play chicken in these scenarios but I think they may regret it.
Anyone here think he can do better than 5/150, which by the way is just about exactly what Schwarber and Alonso got? His home/road splits are dramatically better at Yankee Stadium.
I like saying no to Boras
What was his offer?
5/150
Fred got offered 150? And he said no?
I wanted 7 years
Freddie had a much better, more consistent resume between the two, he deserved the extra year, although I was always a Belli fan. The report on Bellinger sounded like it was a little over $30mil, at least that was the impression I got.
If he turns down 5/150, then I agree with you he won’t get more than that, unless it’s with some crap franchise like Anaheim
A little to the party but the Dodgers signing Ibanez and Fitzgerald. Put them on the 40 man? Neither can hit but fit the mode for versatility mb? I thought there must be something else or another reason. But once it was made official and the salary I guess they plan on using Ibanez. How many of these utility types do we need whose best trait is mediocrity?
I love kike playoff time but he can’t hit. Rojas I like but he can’t stay healthy or play regular. World Series hero and solid player so he deserves respect. Edman had a great playoff his first year but his contract is probably gonna look like Chris Taylor the 2nd. Kim Punch and Judy so here we go with a couple more. I can’t question the chess players who have made this the greatest time to ever be a Dodger fan. Of course they did play what’s his name a full year so nobody’s perfect.
i was just hoping we could get a hitter. I love the Diaz signing but our offense was the weak link in the playoffs. As constructive today we have nobody off the bench that scares anyone. Our strength is starting pitching and mb our bullpen if healthy. We will score a bunch of runs n mb lead the regular season in runs scored or close but playoff pitching is a different animal.
i know AF is the best so we watch and learn. Just interesting to c a guy who can’t make the Tigers team be on our 40 man with no milb options. The other guy is even more interesting. An area where we have high numbers n he couldn’t make the Twins. I can’t wait to c how these 2 improve the team.
They sign two inept utility players. I would offer that Kike is not coming back. Of course, they need to make a roster move before both of those over 30’s players can be added to the roster.
Alex Bregman signs a 5/175 deal with the Cubs
Timely!
The Cubs have made up the loss of Tucker with the addition of Bregman. This makes them the favorite in the NL Central, if they weren’t already. That could open up a deal for Nico Hoerner. The Cubs will probably want to keep Matt Shaw for his long term control over 1 year of Hoerner.
This would seem to push Bichette more into Boston’s direction.
I do not see the Mets or Dodgers paying Bellinger more than 5/$150.
Toronto is not going to let the Dodgers come in and scoop them on Tucker, IMO, they will give Tucker the years he wants.
Good for Chicago.
I would guess this would put the Bosox into the Bichette market, or that’s what his agent will leak. Between Bellinger turning down the 5 year, $30+mil offer from the Yanks, and the Bregman to the Cubs deal, I believe the Bichette market is about to heat up.
I think Bregman at 5/175 is a bit of an over pay.
The Cubs are legit. That is going to be one terrific offense. It already was top notch. If healthy their starters should be much better. Fantastic defense. Bullpen was very good last year but we know how fickle bullpens can be. They traded (not literally)Tucker for bregman and finally got the 3b they wanted. They apparently wanted bregman more than Tucker or Tucker just didn’t want to be a Cub.
Not scared
The Cubs could still use another SP, Steele isn’t expected back for a little way into the season.
I can’t believe the Red Sox didn’t pony up for him, what the heck are they doing in Boston
Go Bears!
We now know that Bregman is going to the Cubs at $175 mill for 5 years.
Will this motivate the Cubs to put Hoerner on the market? Would the Dodgers want to deal for him?
Beats me.
I think Tucker is a possibility on a three-year, high AAV contract.
But it’s more likely that the Dodgers not win any of the “big four” and work the trade market instead.
70 million of Bregman’s contract is deferred.
The present value of his contract will be between $150MM and $155MM. That is basically what Bellinger has turned down.
What is interesting is that comments on MLBTR are upset and calling it an overpay and are fearful that Hoyer will now trade Nico Hoerner. Most Cubs fans seem to prefer Hoerner to Bregman. Most of the Cubs fans also seemed to beleive that Bellinger would have been the preferable signing.
Hoyer has said that the Cubs want to stay south of the CBT. With the present value AAV of Bregman’s contract around $31MM, the Cubs will be around $3MM to $4MM south of the CBT. Trading Hoerner gives then another $11.7MM additional cushion and will allow the Cubs to bolster their bullpen.
The trade market is about to heat up.
What interest rate is used to compute present value?
I have not seen the current rate.
Or sign Bader
I read he’s signing with the Mets. Besides, we need more than that. He’s a decent defender, but he’s 32 this year and doesn’t project all that offensively. We need a middle of the order bat. One that will push Teoscar down a spot.
Oh yeah, Bregman signed first. Drop and give me 50.
Boston will be going after Bichette now. Toronto was beaten by an older utility infielder so you can bet they will do what they need to do to see that doesn’t happen again. Tucker replaces Bichette?
Yeah. Trade market.
So, lay it out for me Badger.
If I read you correctly, we aren’t getting any of the remaining big 3 free agent bats. So, yeah, trade market.
Who should we go after, keeping in mind that Boston has indicated they aren’t going to trade any of their outfielders.
Give me a 1,2,3 on your wish list. And what you’d give up to get them.
And is it true that Conforto’s agent has contacted Andrew and explained the shrinking market while advising that Conforto would take a little less than 17 million to come back for 2026?
Edman is a Gold Glove second baseman but can also play CF. Therefore I want Hoerner.
Edman and Call in CF until Sirota arrives.
Your challenge is 100% legit. Boston says they are not trading any of their OF. Some believe that is simply posturing and of course Jarren Duran is available in a trade. From what I am reading, Boston seems to be happy with their rotation, and wants even more offense. That would make Emmet Sheehan less desireable to Boston, and the Dodgers have zero MLB or MLB ready offense to offer for Duran.
If the BoSox are unsuccessful in siging Bichette, I would look for Boston to battle Seattle for Brendan Donovan in a trade. Chaim Bloom is VERY familiar with the Boston organization. From what I have read, Boston is also looking to Houston for Isaac Paredes.
No, it’s more likely that Dodger fans will want Jarren Duran or Byron Buxton, or Luis Robert Jr., or Steven Kwan, and if they do not get him it will be AF’s fault.
But I do disagree with you that Brenton Doyle will be a Dodger. He may get traded, but it will not be to the Dodgers.
How dare you disagree with me!
I’ll be right until I’m wrong, but I must admit the odds are fairly heavily in your favor.
Who I want hasn’t changed. Duran. Buxton. Wilyer. Robert Jr.
Tucker is still there. Obviously at this point he’s the bat everybody wants. But if it’s trade, I don’t know how to get it done. I choose to leave that up to Friedman.
The GM’s who control Duran, Wilyer and Buxton have said they aren’t available (yes, they could always change their minds), so that leaves Robert Jr.
The Simulator says he has negative trade value, so what say we offer to overpay and let them have Knack.
I guess that shows that the internet world and the real world operate on different values since there is absolutely no way they would trade Robert even up for Knack.
Are you sure you want to leave it to Friedman. Bums is going to get the Dodgers PCA. 😍
Good point.
And Hoerner
When Freddie tweaked his ankle in 2024, and had ankle surgery in December 2024, he has not been the same. He reportedly reinjured the ankle last season after a slip in the shower.
We learned in December that Freddie may have had a setback. Canada national baseball team director Greg Hamilton revealed that Freddie’s injury setback could keep him out of the WBC in March and might have some implications for next season as well. He continued, “Freeman (is) dealing with ‘a little bit of a health issue’ after the wear and tear of a long season. Team Canada manager, Ernie Whitt, reported that Freddie was having ‘some procedure done’.
However, AF “didn’t believe Freddie Freeman would require any sort of procedure.”
What we do know now is that Freddie will not play in the WBC. Team Canada’s 1st WBC will be March 6 against Panama in Puerto Rico. The Dodgers will be playing their 14th ST game on that date. Will Freddie be immersed in ST or will he be on the sidelines?
Maybe this is why Dalton Rushing is still a Dodger?
Are we witnessing the beginning of a decline with Freddie, similar to what Cincinnati experienced with Joey Votto? Could this push the Dodgers to aggressively pursue Cody Bellinger over Kyle Tucker? Could the Dodgers look for a trade with Houston that would involve 3B/1B/2B Isaac Paredes and CF Jake Meyers? Both have two years of team control.
Wouldn’t news about Freddie push the Dodgers to pursue that big bat even more? Or is this all smoke just to keep Freddie under LAD control throughout ST?
Sign Tucker just to be safe
I’m of the belief Freddie needs the time off and will have a slow- paced spring training to be fully healthy on opening day. I think he just doesn’t want to let Canada down so they came up with a personal issue ala he doesn’t personally want to play in the WBC and instead will focus on the 26 season.
I also don’t think Edman will be ready on opening day (didn’t take the walking boot off until Thanksgiving) and that is why they acquired Ibanaez. Although I thought AF would either trade or sign an outfielder (Tucker or Duran) I now think he is prepared to go with a Call/Ward LF platoon. Can they do worse than Conforto?
What do you think the Dodgers would have to send to Houston to get Paredes or Meyers, or both?
Freddie came out of the gate with excellent results. Then, he was awful for a long time. Age surely has a bearing combined with injury. For me watching him closely he was swinging out of the zone at some very bad pitches. At his worst he couldn’t or wouldn’t lay off of bad pitches. Also, the relievers all throwing 98 plus with specialty pitches do not provide any “easy” at bats. In the playoffs he just never really had a hot streak like most LA hitters. I imagine Freddie could use time off before the regular season. Unless he falls off a cliff he probably will sign an extension in La.
At 36 Freddie is obviously going downhill. How far? I believe he’s still a 3 WAR player even if he only plays 130 games. He and Teo appear to have reached the DH rung on the career ladder so what to do? Give them both a light duty chit during Spring Training and then 7 inning games as often as possible until September. This lineup needs to be handled with care. To do so I think they might need to consider better bench.
Not sure he wants to play after his contract ends. He just sold his LA home.
Signing Ibanez signals what we already knew that Edman would not be ready when the season starts. Roberts usually says they will be ready but this time comments from Gomez leading us to believe he would be ready for the opener. But the latest comments I have seen is Gomez saying he won’t miss a big portion of the season. The next comment will probably be he is out until the all star game.
Does Bichette have a qualifying offer? Probably with first time free agency. Therefor, probably not in Dodgers plans. His injury may also factor. If healthy he would be my choice. Play him at second then move to third when needed. It’s looking more and more likely the Dodgers start the season as is but u can’t count AF out. A bench of Ibanez, call, Rojas, and Rushing or will Call be a starter with a platoon partner?
Bichette does have a qualifying offer. LA has signed one player, Diaz, with a QO. They will lose 2 draft picks if they sign another.
Signing Ibanez, a 32 year old non tendered utility guy is a nothing burger. If that’s it, and I don’t believe it is, it will be a pretty boring winter.
With Freddie and Mookie wearing out this could be the last big year for this group. Ohtani will be pitching more. What might that mean for his offense? Smith won’t likely OPS .900 again, Muncy talking about how long the seasons are, Teo looking like a huge question mark, shouldn’t more thunder be a priority? It is said they owe Ohtani. Are they doing it with pitching?
Doesn’t spring training start in February? I guess there is plenty of time. I agree Ibanez is a nothing burger that’s why I wondered why did they sign him to a mlb contract? How does this make us better? It just seems like a waste.
i would think the priority would be some offense. Are we going with Teo in rf again? If he stays in right we are back to a weak defensive outfield again and potentially a dead spot in left again. They could start Call in left which would seem to be an improvement over last year but he is really unproven.
Yes, with Edman out Call is in the outfield. He’s an adequate ML outfielder, bottom of the order hitter. Also yes, there’s time to get something done. Deals have been during Spring Training, so, patience I guess. I’m still looking for a splash deal. This is not the lineup with which the Dodgers want to start the year.
That house has been on the market for quite a while, but I think in the meanwhile he’s moved to Pasadena (closer to DS). He may not want to play after his contract ends, but I don’t think we can take the sale of his Studio City home as evidence of that.
Freddie does still own a home in both Pasadena and Corona del Mar so it’s not like he is bailing.
Well, that may be, but the skills dipped some with the bum ankle. He had a lot of swing and miss in June and July striking out 56 times in those two down months. He turns 37 in September.
Bichette is meeting with the Phillies today. Boston might go after Arenado.
Former Pirates pitcher, Dave Guisti passed away at the age of 86. RIP. Michael A. Taylor hired by the Twins as an outfield instructor. He retired after the 25 season.
Good hire by the Twins. I honestly do not know who works with the LAD outfielders. They have about 75 people in the dugout, why not one more? There was a rumor floated that rosters groiwng up to the 40 man in September was ended to keep room in the dugout for all these coaching specialsists.
I remember Dave Giusti fondly. RIP!
The top player available in this year’s free-agent crop has met with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays, a source told Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio.