Well, here it is the middle of December already. Seems like just yesterday we were watching the Dodgers parade in downtown Los Angeles. There have been some changes already, and more than likely there will be a few more before opening day on March 26th against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
The newest addition to the team is former Met’s closer, Edwin Diaz. He got a 3-year deal with an option year. He should make a pretty strong bullpen better. I fully expect Tanner Scott to rebound and have a very good year.
The holes the team has can be filled pretty easily. The starting rotation is as good as any in the league. They are deep in starting pitching. Diaz addressed their most pressing problem in the bullpen. Now they need to address the outfield.
I am not surprised that Freidman has not just gone out and signed one of the top outfielders yet. Tucker and Bellinger are considered the cream of the crop. Although AF has brought players back into the organization who have left, Kike, Rojas, and some others, Bellinger will carry a hefty price tag. Not so sure AF wants to go there.
Same with Tucker. The Dodgers have already lost 1 million dollars in international signing bonus pool money, and they lose their second and fifth draft picks. If they sign another, they will lose additional draft picks.
It seems much more likely that they would go for a short-term fix like Bader, or trade for someone like Duran. With Christmas just around the corner, and then the New Years holiday, I am of a mind that any additional signings of significance will not come until January, or even just before spring training starts in February.
Japanese third baseman, Munetaka Murakami has a deadline in a few days. He has not been linked to the Dodgers but has been to Toronto and Seattle. His camp has been very quiet during this entire process. LA has also not been linked to any of the players being posted by Japanese teams.
I really am bad at predictions; do not think I have ever gotten one right. Yet I feel the Dodgers really need to add at least one IMPACT bat. Who that might be, I have no clue. Then there is the left field question. Teo needs to be moved out of right field. He seemed better suited in left his first season there. But he still is a subpar defender.
I think the best way to address this issue is a trade for an established MLB outfielder. It is highly unlikely that Buxton, who many of our readers would love to see in LA, or someone like Duran, is traded to the Dodgers. This kind of trade probably would not be made until the top free agent outfielders are off of the market.
As we all know, Freidman does not make knee-jerk moves. My own opinion is that they have plenty of utility type players already on the roster and someone like Donovan, although he brings a lot to the table, does not make their offense that much better. It is also my belief that they have a very weak bench power wise. Rojas, Kim, Rushing just do not scare anyone. That is why I cannot see them bringing Kike back. He is redundant.
It is not for me to decide, but the decisions on the roster need to be made pretty soon. It will be interesting to see what kind of players they bring in on minor league deals with invites to spring training. I do believe if they make another major move, it will be sooner rather than later. I think AF wants to go into spring training with as powerful a roster as he can assemble. Now we play the waiting game.
Discussion (20)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Dodgers will not pay a superstar salary for a star player on a long term deal. Tucker only coming if his market dries up and he settles for a short term deal with opt outs.
I have a feeling the Dodgers are going to make a big effort to sign Tucker. He fits perfectly into the lineup. He walks at a high rate and has a low strikeout rate and puts the ball into play on a consistent basis. He goes to RF and Hernandez goes to left. This keeps Edman at 2B where he is gold glove caliber.
Print the tickets!
“The Dodgers have signed Chuckie Robinson to a minor league deal, according to the catcher’s MLB.com profile page. It is a reunion between the two sides, as Robinson spent the bulk of the 2025 season in the Dodgers organization after being claimed off waivers from the Angels in May”.
Dodgers will pay $169.4 million in competitive balance tax, a new MLB record
“The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series for the second year in a row, and did so with the highest-paid team in Major League Baseball history. The Dodgers’ payroll in 2025 for competitive balance tax purposes was $417.3 million, per Ronald Blum at Associated Press, which resulted in a record-setting luxury tax levy of $169.4 million”.
Go Sooners
Bo Bichette does not have a good arm. He also does not have great range. He gets what he gets but, it’s limited.
His range would not be an issue at 3B, but his arm might!
The Dodgers have Emil Morales, Chase Harlan, Joendry Vargas, and Logan Wagner as 3B possibilities – all are at least 2 years… probably 3 years away.
WTF.
I just posted something and it disappeared!
I blame…..
That guy who said I was actually someone else.
Some actual news!
But first, this evergreen Sam Miller tweet:
https://x.com/SamMillerBB/status/425867764876599296?lang=en
Tampa’s trade of Shane Baz to the Orioles is official:
Return includes 4 of Orioles top 30 prospects:
OF Slater de Brun, C Caden Bodine, RHP Michael Forret, OF Austin Overn.
Rays also get Competitive Balance Round A pick from O’s.
Lowe Trade breakdown:
– Lowe, Mangum, Montgomery to Pirates
– Burrows to Astros
– Melton & Brito to Rays
BREAKING: There is officially a settlement in the Skaggs-Angels wrongful death trial.
This case was filed 4.5 years ago. Tyler Skaggs died 6.5 years ago. This trial lasted 3 months.
Emotion in the courtroom as the plaintiffs sign the deal.
Terms not disclosed.
Brandon Lowe traded to the Pirates as part of a 3-team deal with Astros and Rays.
The Dodgers offense from 6/1 on was poor by their standards. Mookie had a down year. Freddie had the longest slump of his career and his power numbers were down a bit. Muncy has regularly been hurt. Teo wasn’t right after his injury. The same for Tommy Tanks. The Dodgers need to add a stick and look to get younger. If Bichette can handle 3B after one year at 2B it makes too much sense. I believe he would do just fine there and has the slug. If Muncy could improve enough to handle 3Rd, Bo can do it.
I took Bo ‘s being willing to play 2B as a direct “come and get me” call to AF. He knows the Dodgers value flexibility and 2B has been a black hole offensively for us for some time. He might even be able to slide over to third when Max is finally done.
I think we sign Bo and have a look at Ryan Ward, Pages and Teo until Edman gets his fitness back. We have a lot of outfielders arriving soon. Bo is the impact bat we need.
These rumors are mostly just hopes. I don’t believe much of anything until it happens. The Dodgers get connected to almost every big money free agent or trade target. And yet there was almost nothing in the press connecting them To Diaz.
All this talk about trading for Bader, Tucker, Duran, Belli and others is fun but I am sure AF wants to see what the at the prospects do in spring training.
Rushing is a lefty hitting catcher,a rarity, to spell Smitty, Replacing Teo in LF with a prospect who rises to the top, gives us a little power on the bench but certainly not a defense replacement. Obviously Ward would need to improve his defense and cut his Ks to make Doc replace a veteran but I can’t wait to see what spring brings and see if anything is left on the FA and trade market.
I also think AF and company are looking to trade for international money. I am sure they have their eyes on a few kids they want. Certainly a few catcher and pitchers to fill the minors.
Really does make sense. He fits in perfectly with the infield. Kim can rest him at second. Kim can also rest mookie at shortstop. Maybe even play Bichette at 3rd some. I really like his bat in that lineup! .280-.300 average. 20 plus homers. 75-90 rbi out of the second base position? Sign me up, or rather sign him up!
Considering the lack of infielder depth in the Dodgers system, pursuing Bichette would make sense.
It was recently reported that he is willing to play 2base.
Yesterday, Alanna Rizzo talked in depth about the Dodgers signing Bichette.
They have to move Teo to left, right? He can have a big offensive season if he doesn’t have to worry too much about his defense. If he comes in to camp a little lighter and maybe a bit quicker, he’ll be fine. The more I think about it and read about it, I believe Bellinger gets a very good deal. I’m just not sure it’s with the dodgers. Tucker? Probably not. I’m getting a crazy feeling that AF makes a deal with Bichette! His bat would really help keep their offense awake! After all, they did go through some stretches where the offense was almost nonexistent. Move Teo to left and either sign a Harrison Bader or trade for Duran. Then everything is good to go! Sheehan would hurt! BUT, Gavin Stone and River Ryan are coming! Let’s make a deal!!
Prices are coming down!
“The Padres have an agreement to re-sign Michael King to a three-year contract with opt-outs after the first two seasons. The Excel Sports Management client is reportedly guaranteed $75MM”.
I like your way of thinking. As much as Tucker solves an immediate need, I’m starting to think two medium-sized moves might be preferable to one large one. For example, signing Bader & trading for Lowe. Or trading for Duran & signing Fairbanks.
I think both free agents and teams holding trade assets are asking for the moon, which is creating a stalemate. Friedman is happy to wait it out. Eventually someone will cave.