It is next to impossible to predict what the Dodgers will do. All we can do is speculate, and for me it is fun to speculate.
Admittedly, I am not very prescient when it comes to predictions for FA or trades. Two years ago, I steadfastly disagreed with those who said the Dodgers would sign Shohei Ohtani. I was wrong, but I did not take the marketing aspect into consideration, something the Dodgers obviously did. Every team in MLB could have signed Ohtani and made $$$$. Most lower tiered teams do not look how they can make money, just how much does it cost. There are two primary components to any Income Statement: revenue and cost. The Dodgers look how to increase revenue more than how to minimize costs. More on that in a later post.
While I did not believe the Dodgers would sign Ohtani, I was reeeeaaaaaly hoping that the Dodgers would sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He was the one pitcher I thought would be a difference maker, but never expected the contract to reach $325MM, with no deferrals.
The Dodgers committed over $1BB for two players, winning two WS championships, with escalating revenues, enough to cover these costs. The game is global, and the Dodgers pounced on arguably the two most readily recognizable players ever coming out of Japan.
The Dodgers also signed Teoscar Hernández for 1 year $23.5MM. Turned out to be a good investment.
LAD signed 7 other free agents with middling success:
- James Paxton – 1 year, $11MM
- Ryan Brasier – 2 years, $9MM
- Jason Heyward – 1 year $9MM
- Joe Kelly – 1 year, $8MM
- Kiké Hernández- 1 year, $4MM
- Ricky Vanasco – 1 year, $900K
- Clayton Kershaw – 2 years, $10MM, 2nd year converted to player option at $10MM, which he ultimately declined
For 2025, the Dodgers missed on most (but not all) of their free agents:
- Blake Snell – 5 years, $182MM
- Tanner Scott – 4 years, $72MM
- Teoscar Hernández – 3 years $62MM
- Blake Treinen – 2 years, $22MM
- Clayton Kershaw – 1 year, $7.5MM + $8.5MM more in incentives
- Michael Conforto – 1 year, $17MM
- Kirby Yates – 1 year, $13MM
- Kiké Hernández – 1 year, $6.5MM
- Roki Sasaki – 1 year MiLB contract + $6MM+ signing bonus
The first four will return for 2026, and I expect better years for all four. All four could be a bust next year as well. It really is unimportant as to what I think. It is what AF/BG think. These players will impact what they plan to do in 2026.
The Dodgers do have a lot of $$$ to play with coming off 2025 payroll. The final AAV for 2025 was $415.2MM, while the current 2026 payroll sits at $320.7MM, for a current decrease of $94.5MM. Do the Dodgers want to go over $400MM again? IMO, they do not need to. I guess we will find out.
What do the Dodgers need?
- Defensive minded CF
- Corner OF with pop
- 3B
- Relief pitching
What we might be able to discern from the previous 2 years, the Dodgers are willing to go for the elite player, even if costly. They will also look for depth. Most of the depth positions are not significant from a cost standpoint. I can see AF/BG continuing looking at this level of player as a bridge gap until the MiLB players are ready to join LAD in MLB.
As I have said on numerous occasions, the only FA CF that I would like to see with the Dodgers is Harrison Bader. He is a significant upgrade defensively (very important for me), and will be a significant upgrade offensively compared to Conforto. Bader will necessarily move Pages to a corner OF (preferably RF) where he is a superior defender. If he improves his offense in 2026 as much as he did in 2025, he will be an All-Star next year.
There are multiple CF trade options that I am working on.
Corner OF –
From the elite RF group, Kyle Tucker would be the one that will potentially improve LAD the most. For the last two years, he has had injury concerns, but still produced. In 2024, with 339 PA, Tucker had a .993 OPS. In 2025, on June, Tucker jammed his hand on a SB attempt. X-rays did not show a break. The injury did not appear to harm him in June, as that was his best month. However, beginning in July through mid-August, Tucker was in a severe slump, including just 1 HR in that time. It was later reported in late August that Tucker had actually suffered a small fracture between the ring finger and pinky on that stolen base attempt. He still ended the year with an .841 OPS.
For the last five years, Tucker’s cumulative fWAR is 23.4, for a value of $187.3MM or $37.46MM/year. If you take the average of the three AAV’s speculated by MLBTR, BA, and Jim Bowden, it is 37.87. So do you think that Tucker’s is going to average $37.87MM value per year, when during his last 5 prime years, he averaged $37.46MM. With his last two injury years, and with his declining defense, I do not believe he will justify a $400MM year.
I still do not believe AF/BG will pony up the $$$ needed to sign him. Tucker does not have the marketability to increase his perceived value. I think he goes to a team that needs to win in 2026. Think Philly and NYY.
Cody Bellinger (30, bats left) – I know some believe he is still a CF, but just like Pages, his CF defense is not nearly as good as his LF defense. MLBTR projects him to sign a 5 year $140MM contract, or $28MM per year AAV. I still do not believe he leaves NYY where he would play CF. NYY could also sign Bader and keep Belli in LF. Bader would love to stay in NY.
Ryan O’Hearn (32, bats left) would be the Michael Conforto signing. He is projected to sign a 2 year $26MM. He needs to average 1.625 fWAR to justify this. Her will be playing as a 32 year old next year, and had a 3.0 fWAR last year. He had a 1.5 and 1.6 fWAR the previous 2 years. He had fairly even splits last year.
Austin Hays (30, bats R) – Projected 1 year, $5.1MM – Would be the Jason Heyward tier signing.
The Dodgers will need a corner OF. IMO, the Dodgers will not sign any of the available FA corner OF. I think they can get what they need via a trade.
3B
Max Muncy had his $10MM club option exercised. A no-brainer for a player who has been a vital and loyal player with LAD since 2018. At the very least, he could be an invaluable role player who can play 3B, 2B, and 1B.
I would not be surprised to see the Dodgers platoon Muncy and Alex Freeland. The problem with this platoon is that Alex has negative splits with poor production against LHP. The ultimate question do the Dodgers see Freeland as an everyday 3B after Max’s contract is up. IMO, that is not a risk that I believe that AF/BG would agree to.
Munetaka Murakami (26, bats left) – He is more of a 1B than 3B. He is not a good defensive 3B. He has massive power, but with a tendency to strike out a lot. He struck out 25+% in 2025, but nearly 30% of the time in his last full season 2024…in Japan. He is more of a 1B/DH type.
Kazuma Okamoto (30, bats right) – He plays a better defensive 3B than Murakami. He has been projected as a serviceable, capable third baseman in MLB. He can also play 1B. He makes better contact than Murakami with an 18% career K rate. 2025 – 11.4%, 2024 – 15.9%. Okamoto also has special power who led NPB in HR. Scouts consider him to be more of a part-time bat on a deeper, contending roster. There will be plenty of teams who will call on Okamoto.
Eugenio Suárez (34, bats right) – Another huge power, questionable defensive 3B, with a lot of swing and miss.
Alex Bregman (32, bats right) – If there is a FA who fills a need more than any other player, it is Bregman. An .846 career OPS with a career OPS+ of 133. He is a plus defensive 3B with a career +27 DRS and +27 OAA. The elephant in the room is will LAD fans accept a member of the 2017 Houston Astros WS team. Apparently AF/BG were considering Carlos Correa, which would never have been accepted.
In a 2020 ESPN interview, Bregman offered this statement on the cheating scandal.
“I am really sorry about the choices that were made by my team, by the organization and by me. I have learned from this and I hope to regain the trust of baseball fans.”
The last LAD player on the 2017 team was Clayton Kershaw, and he was not against trading for or signing a member of the 2017 Houston Astros WS team. If any player might hold a grudge it would have been Kershaw. He was all about helping the Dodgers. I know there are many here who will not accept Bregman, but there are others who would. I think that is emblematic of the Dodgers fan base. Some will accept him, some will not. Another question would be, will Bregman want to play with LAD and deal with all the negativity he would surely receive? Me? I was an Alex Bregman fan when he was at LSU. I would never accept Correa, Altuve, or Gurriel. I am more forgiving of Bregman and Springer.
MLBTR Projections:
- Munetaka Murakami – 8 years, $180MM
- Kazuma Okamoto – 4 years, $64MM
- Eugenio Suárez – 3 years, $63MM
- Alex Bregman – 6 years, $160MM
There are other trade possibilities that could bring a 3B to LAD. I do not believe that Suárez is a viable consideration. Murakami seems to have the most helium, at least with the publications. Murakami fits the existing LAD hitting philosophy of slug over contact.
Relief Pitchers:
I do believe that Robert Suarez (35, RHRP) (MLBTR – 3 years, $48MM) – Of all the FA out there, Robert Suarez makes the most sense for LAD. The Dodgers are still trying to find that Game Over Eric Gagne/Kenley Jansen reliever. Suarez
Completed 40 saves out of 45 save opportunities. The Padres record in games he pitched was 57-13. He had a 75 to 16, K to BB ratio.
Other than Suarez, there are a large number of lesser high leverage possibilities that AF/BG will consider.
- Chris Bassitt (37, RHRP) – 2 years, $38MM
- Brad Keller (30, RHRP) – 3 years, $36MM
- Tyler Rogers (35, RHRP) – 2 years, $18MM
- Pete Fairbanks (31, RHSP) – 2 years, $18MM
There are also countless relievers from the Evan Phillips, Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier, and Will Klein reclamation groups.
The Dodgers strength is currently starting pitching. Thus it does not seem plausible that the Dodgers would look for a starting pitcher in free agency. However, IMO it might just make sense. The Dodgers have the $$$ to “buy” a SP. The cost would be more than many teams would consider. It would have to be a back of the rotation type, that would potentially free up a LAD SP with years of control who can help a rotation. Think Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski, Gavin Stone, and even River Ryan. I like all four of these pitchers, and would not want to see them traded. But other teams may like and if the Dodgers do sign a back of the rotation starter.
Who they might consider:
- Tatsuya Imai (28, RHRP), 6 years, $150MM
- Lucas Giolito (31, RHSP), 2 years, $32MM
- Zack Littell (31, RHRP), 2 years, $24MM
- Cody Ponce (32, RHRP), 2 years, $22MM
I like all the LAD pitchers better, but maybe Emmet Sheehan and Dalton Rushing can bring back a plus CF or 3B. It gets down to the comparison…are the Dodgers better with Byron Buxton and Lucas Giolito or Emmet Sheehan and Dalton Rushing? I am not advocating such a scenario, but it is possible that something like that will be considered. The Dodgers look for higher ceilings and make transactions devoid of emotion. Something we fans have trouble avoiding.
The “experts” say that the Dodgers will be very involved in free agency. I think they will be more strategic than overly involved, WIth their prospect capital that needs to be moved before it wilts on the vine, I think trades will produce any elite level player.
I would be fine if the Dodgers signed Harrison Bader, Robert Suarez, and Kazuma Okamoto. Throw in some ancillary relievers. Not splashy, but the core is intact, and the team will be better.
Next up from me – trades.
BTW, I did not include Bo Bichette who could be a viable 3B candidate, because I see him re-signing with Toronto. That will free up other Toronto players potentially available in trades.
I like Bo for 3B. I like Bregman there too but his age would have too many Dodgers down the road limping on to the field.
Pretty sure Sasaki will be back Jeff. He was one of the 8 on your list and was not included in those who will be back. He could start or close. Kyle Hendricks announced his retirement.
Yes, Sasaki will be back. Right or wrong, I did not include him because he is more of a prospect with options than a high priced multi-year FA, which the first 4 are.
I do not think they will sign Tucker, just not a good value for that much cash. I agree with Jeff that they should target Suarez.
OK, consider this lineup…
Shohei DH
Mookie SS
Freddie 1B
Smith C
Max/Murakami 3B
Teo LF (not RF)
Edman/Kim 2B
Pages RF
Bader CF
But the Dodgers could do a blockbuster for Buxton, he bats cleanup and Bader is out of luck.
Hmm. How would that happen…
“Byron? It’s me–Mookie… Are you sure you don’t want to play on the greatest team ever created?”
Murakami is not considered a defensive upgrade over Max, and they both hit left-handed.
Murakami is ten years younger than Max. We want the Dodgers to get younger, right? Signing him wouldn’t be about the ’26 season, but the next decade.
Murikami might be Max’s successor–and then after a year or two, he might become Freddie’s successor. Hell, if his glove really stinks, he might succeed Shohei at DH after Shohei becomes a full-time outfielder.
If the Dodgers are high on Murakami, the time to strike would be this winter.
Twin fans love Buxton and owners have already gotten fans near mutiny.
I hope the Dodgers get Bader for CF. Move Pages to RF and Teo to LF or traded.
For the bullpen…. Don’t count out Kenley Jansen!!!
Who better to be that “Game Over Eric Gagne/Kenley Jansen reliever” than Kenley Jansen himself
He just had a terrific year for the lousy Angels, converting 29 out of 30 saves, with WHIP of 0.95. Those are the kind of glorious numbers we expected from Tanner Scott, right? Kenley is not a youngster, of course… but I’m pretty sure he’s younger than Kirby Stinkin’ Yates.
Actually, I’m not sure if Kenley is a free agent. If he’s still under contract with the Angels, surely a trade could be worked out.
If there’s some bad blood between Kenley and Dodgers management, they should both get over it. Otherwise, Kenley could wind up in San Diego, closing out games that were started by Mason Miller, who should be a Dodger, but I digress…
Bowden, I think, makes a strong case that the Dodgers will sign Murakami, who at 25 is ten years younger than Max. If so, his transition can be nurtured in ’26, with some time at OKC, much as Kim’s was this past season. The Dodgers could sign Murakami now in expectation of him succeeding Max in ’27, and perhaps later shifting over to succeed Freddie. No doubt the Dodgers have studied Murakami very closely.
But would Okamoto be a better option? As a right-handed batter, he could complement Max in a platoon. He’d be a lot cheaper… but how important is that rto the fat-cat Dodgers?
I would love to see a blockbuster for Byron Buxton. That would be so much more exciting than a fat check for Kyle Tucker. Just imagine Buxton patrolling CF in Dodger blue, and batting cleanup behind Freddie.
Yes, Buxton has a no-trade clause, and maybe he just hates sunshine and warm weather…. but that could be negotiable for a chance to join the champs.
I am with you on KJ. He should retire as a Dodger, and then on to Cooperstown.
KJ is a FA, and he is about 6 months younger than Yates.
Hooray! A bandwagon for Kenley!!!
Can you name a prediction Bowden made that came true?
I assume Bowden’s batting average on predictions is low.
But I also assume that Murikami wouldn’t mind a reunion with his WBC teammates. (But who knows? Maybe he wouldn’t want to be in Shohei’s shadow.)
The more I think about it, the more I like how Murikami would bring youth to the Dodgers. He’s ten years younger than Max and 11 years younger that Freddie–and the Dodgers don’t have stud corner infielders in their pipeline. (Emil Morales is 3-4 years away.)
Kyle Tucker, obviously, is the more proven talent–but the Dodgers’ top prospects include several outfielders.
Two winters back I thought the Dodgers were piggish in signing Shohei and Yamamoto for a combined $1 billion.
Maybe they’ll be able to get Tucker and Murikami for a mere half-billion.
Tou Che’
I bet Ohtani could play a good LF. Then Teo could DH. 
In a way, I wouldnt mind not seeing Ohtani pitch again and let him play OF. That way we could get a real DH who needs to DH. Honestly, I’m not sure Teo deserves that label. Don’t forget that play he made quickly relaying it to Edman to Smith for the big out. Without that…maybe no WS.
Teo’s defense comes and goes. He should be in LF. Sign Bader to play CF and move Pages to RF.
In perusing The Athletic’s Top 50 Free Agents and where they believe the “best fit” for these players is, those fitting with LAD:
#1 Kyle Tucker – 12 and $460M
#11 Edwin Diaz – 4 and $84M
#25 Trent Grisham 3 and $54M
#32 Harrison Bader 2 and $32M
I’m good with any of those guys.
Others I like:
#2 Bichette Detroit, 8 and $212M
#3 Bregman Boston 6 and $171M
#23 R. Suarez Az or SF 3 and $54M
Down the list but on it: Jansen Cubs 1 and $10M
12 and $460 sounds insane but so did Ohtani’s $700M and $325M for a pitcher that had never pitched an inning in MLB and so far those two contracts look ok.
Id offer 10M on a one year for Jansen.
Dodgers should be all in on Bader.
I would like the team to get younger and better defensively. It felt like the Dodgers were on the edge of injuries and poor defense ruining the season at times.
I’m guessing the front office prefers to get younger through the Farm (Pages, Freeland, Busch, Outman) and instead use free agency to sign vets to short term, high AAV deals (Conforto,Teo).
Sounds like we have some promising OFs coming up, but do we really? You don’t really know.
I can see mgt breaking script to trade for the CF or 3B of the future.
Smashing the easy button would be to sign Tucker, hand him RF, and slot Teo/Pages in LF/CF. Call, Ward?, and a new defense-first bench piece round it out.
Not so worried with the IF, as Freeland/Kim/Rojas? could support tge existing–and aging core.
Rotation is solid and deep and bullpen probably just needs one veteran closer. Suarez fits well.
I think Tucker will be very expensive for a good but not superstar player, so I’ll pass but I would make a strong offer to Bo B who would fit nicely in the Dodgers lineup, batting 3rd behind Shohei and Mookie.
He can man 2nd until Max finally runs out of gas, and then slide across to 3rd, and of course he can play SS if needed. I love his bat to ball skills, and he’s just what we need. We have money coming off the books and would make our lineup even longer whilst making us younger too.
I would also look at bringing the leftie Imanaga in now Clayton has retired. Playing with his countrymen is sure to make him feel better and I think one more Starter would enable the Club to manage the innings pitched as they did to such great effect this season.
I like Rushing and I think his bat will play. I only trade him for a very good return.
Taylor Ward interests me if the right deal could be made.
No to Kike, yes to Miguel.
An improved Scott would help. (The pitcher not the Poster).
Always improve from a position of strength….
I would stand pat with the pitchers Dodgers already have.
Roberts and Friedman could have played Outman in CF if they cared enough about up-the-middle defense. They even stayed with Conforto and his lack of offense and defense. Yuck.
I’m not opposed to picking up the option on Muncy but I can’t get out of my mind that it’s better to cut loose a player one year to early than one year to late.with Jensen I can’t let go of a game the Dodgers loss when a player for the Rays hit a little league home run that was awful to watch but sometimes happens. Jensen was quoted that it wasn’t his job to backup home. Not backing up was bad enough but not taking responsibility is totally unacceptable.
I don’t want Jensen back. I didn’t want Muncy back. I want to watch younger players play. Here is one way to get younger that is outside the box. Put Smith at third base. Betts fooled many with his ability to convert to SS. Smith is catching 100MPH one hoppers and making quick and strong throws to second. His small sample size at third does not have to restrict this move.
Here is the “fun” part. Trade Rushing for Adley Rutschman. Add players as needed to see what such a trade would look like.
SS Betts
DH Ohtani
3B Smith
1B Freeman
C Rutschman
LF Edman
RF Pages
2B Freeland
CF Kim
Sorry, Smith has not played enough at 3rd to even consider moving him there. He has played 60 games at the position and made 15 errors. I doubt he could improve over there by just playing the position in spring training. Doubtful also that the Orioles would trade Rutschman unless they thought that 20-year-old Basallo was ready to take over. Adley turns 28 in February and is entering his 5th year in the majors. He is also arbitration eligible and under team control until 28.
When did Smith play 3B? Was that in the minors or in college?
If we’re thinking outside the box, why not try Rushing at 3B? That makes more sense than Smith.
The reality, however, is that Max is under contract for ’26 and, alas, Rushing didn’t show much as a rookie.
If we want a younger team, we should warm to the idea of the 25-year-old slugger from Japan…
Smith played about 58 games at third in the minors. He played 2 in college. 43 of those games were at AA and AAA in 2018. He has not played there since.
I think Smith will stay at C for another 2 years and then move to 1B when Freddie retires..
Good post Bum, I agree on Will having the ability to transition to 3rd if he is interesting in possible prolonging his career by getting out from behind the dish, if he wants to try it.. Catchers certainly possess the ability to pick short hops and Will may have the feet to go laterally and charge grounders, which works at 3rd and especially first.
I always scratch my head when fans want to recycle players we let go. Bellinger, Joc and Jansen are examples. I have Zero desire to see Jansen back under any circumstances. He as a pain in the ass prima-donna his last couple of years with the Dodgers.
He was often ineffective and searched for all kinds of excuses; was his cutter working that day or not? Could be pitch on back to back days? Could he pitch more than one inning? Could he come into a game or needed a fresh inning.
Way to high maintenance for me.
Year I know his career numbers but I have to desire to Go Back to the Future.
I think we have an abundance of pitching in the organization and don’t need him.
I do wonder whether Kenley burned this bridge…
Thanks for the support Phil. While we’re probably not going to place a bet on Smith playing 3rd next year, it’s not that much more unlikely than what Betts did moving to SS.
Or, can he pitch with a runner on second?
It’s a no-brainer
Conforto made $17m last year
Muncy makes $10m
In the Dodgers’ first official move of the offseason, they signed 26 year old MiLB catcher from Venezuela, Eliézer Alfonzo. Alfonzo has spent all 9 years of his professional career in the Tigers organization. He is a defense first catcher. He is a contact over slug hitter, but is not all that proficient in either hit category. He does not strike out much at all. He will be AAA depth, joining Griffin Lockwood-Powell. I can see the Dodgers going out and getting a catcher with MLB experience for AAA. Think Chuckie Robinson or Chris Okey type.
I can also see a scenario where GLP moves permanently to 1B and the Dodgers promote 23 year old catcher/2B, Yeiner Fernandez, still getting that catcher with MLB experience. Yeiner is also from Venezuela, and spent all of 2023 and 2024 at AA.
The Dodgers are now devoid of any true potential starting C in their organization. They have 0 catchers in their top 30 of any of the top publications. For Fangraphs Top 51 LAD prospects (published last summer), only Dalton Rushing was included. Dalton is no longer a prospect for these lists.
Two catcher prospects I hope the Dodgers will look at:
· Alfredo Duno (20) – Reds – Highest Level A
· Blake Mitchell (21) – KC – Highest Level A+
I like most of us have no clue as to the direction that Freidman will go this winter in retooling a Champion. I did read on Yahoo sports an interview where Freidman said in regard to Ohtani saying he wanted Miggy Ro back, that he would have to wait and see how the team stacked up. Makes me wonder if they will offer Miggy a deal since they have Kim and Edman, younger and almost as versatile as holdover utility guys. Add Miggy and there is very little if any power on the bench as the four guys would be Miggy, Kim, Rortvedt or Rushing, and Edman, depending on if they sign a free agent infielder. Dodgers signed C Eliezer Alonzo to a minor league contract. 26-year-old who was in the Tigers system last year.
I’m all for sentimental but letting Keekay & Miggy go instantly lowers the age of the team.
I’d like the Dodgers to try and trade for Jarren Duran, and put him in center.I know Boston just resigned him for 1 year. I wouldn’t want to part with Sheehan, but perhaps Rushing & Stone or Ryan.
Is Kyle Hurt healthy? Is Mookie remaining at short?
Mookie is definitely remaining at SS.
He proved to be one of the best defenders at SS in ’25.
I like all four Boston oufielders, and I suspect that only Roman Anthony is untouchable.
Would it make sense to deal Teo for any of them? Teo, as a DH, could be dangerous in Fenway–and the Dodgers would have a much-improved OF defense.
Kwan might be another good target. Great glove, good bat, rarely strikes out….Teo for Kwan? A lot less power, but much better defense and fewer Ks.
I like him. We need aome youthful energy.
I like Duran too, but isn’t he 29? He’s not “young”
His energy is young but noted
I will be happy with two guys- CF and RP. Don’t really need anyone else.
Tommy Edman is going to have surgery on his ankle next week. He is expected to be ready for spring training.
I’m looking forward to seeing a healthy Edman next season, see what he can do over a full season
Those two defensive plays (both throws) he made in one game will forever be etched in my brain. Without those, probably no WS rings.
The first one was unbelievable as to how he knew to shift his body around to field the ball to get into a perfect throwing position quickly. And the throw was so perfect…as was the second one.
Just about every Dodger who played made a crucial play in the World Series. And the Dodgers needed them all.
Defense had been a weakness for this team. But they came throught when it mattered most.
I understand the concept of getting younger but I think the Dodgers approach doesn’t necessarily work that way. They look to get better at those few positions of need. Yeah, it would be great for the organization to have guys like Bellinger, MVP at age 23, every year but that isn’t how they work anymore. They want proven veterans at every position and they can afford to do it.
I have no problem with Jansen returning but I doubt they do that. I think they are counting on a Scott rebound and will add another late inning arm in FA or through a trade. Suarez makes sense to me.
I’ve advocated a Smith to third move before as he’s taking a beating behind the plate. I figured he has the skills to do it and by ‘26 Rushing would be ready to take over full time. But it appears that isn’t the plan.
I would also like to see a lesser need for platooning and by that I mean a lineup of hitters that have equal splits against right or left Not possible I know but in my opinion it should be a goal.
Muncy is a half year player that will easily earn his money. Who plays the other half year?
If Kim and Edman can step up in utility roles Bader and a bullpen arm may be all they need to start the year. Rojas? I don’t know. Maybe.
This is a two time World Championship roster. They don’t need a lot. But they do need to consider proper rest for the veterans. There’s nobody on this team that will play every day.
Let the young arms do the bulk of the heavy lifting during the regular season.
Absolutely agree. Just like this year. Slow play the big four and keep them fresh and healthy for September and October.
As it played out, the team didn’t need home field. Would be nice to get it.
If the Twins continue to tear things down and trade Ryan, then I think Buxton would be in play. He’s my perfect addition. Right handed power bat in CF. Signed for three years. I’d give up Tibbs, Rushing and one of our young arms. We were a bad offense the second half of the year and through the playoffs. He’d be a big answer.
Just read this on that subject:
“The possibility of a trade has increased due to the team’s potential “teardown” and the departure of other key players. However, the team may try to build around Buxton if he indicates a willingness to stay.”
Very much like you just said. If he likes playing in a less stressful place he might just stay there. It would take a lot to elevate a 70 win team to contend. If he wants a chance at a ring he will waive his no trade. clause. He’s 32 next year. Time is running out for him. But also at 32, coming of a negative dWAR year in center, is he the guy we want out there?
Something I feel is worth considering. As bad as Pages looked defensively, and he looked spasmodic at times, his Savant stats are surprising. His OAA was in the 97th percentile. His arm strength is at the 98th percentile. His running speed, 69, is slightly above average. All this tells me we have a center fielder in house. Find a Center Field Whisperer and put the two of them together for the winter and the Dodgers have a 4 WAR up the middle outfielder.
And another thing, I think Rushing is going to find it offensively and when he does he’s going to slug .500 with an OPS well over .800. Are we sure we want to trade that?
I just do not see the Dodgers moving Smith off catching in the foreseeable future so where does Rushing get his shot? And we have had great projections about our prospects before that haven’t materialized. Rushing isn’t a factor in our quest to three-peet. Buxton would be.
I believe our biggest weakness next year is our offense. Part of our core ( Muncy, Teo, Mookie and Freddy) are another year into their downside and it wasn’t pretty the last 4 months. Thinking 26 will be a big rebound is wishful thinking. We need more thunder in our lineup.
My sentiments exactly.
I totally agree with that assessment. How long can one expect Freeman to perform at the level he has through most of his career. I give Mookie a pass since the obvious reason he struggled so much at the beginning of the year was the illness he contracted in Japan. Muncy has been injury prone the last couple of years and actually should not be considered the full time third baseman. They should make every effort to trade Teo. He had some big hits early in the playoffs, but in the Series, the chase and miss rate went up. He is a streaky hitter who can carry a team when he gets hot. But when he gets a cold streak, he just strikes out way too much.
Latest rumor has LA interested in Devin Williams. Bellinger rumors have died down a lot. Heyman seems to believe he will stay in New York, possibly with the Mets.