Well, in a couple of weeks, after the dust settles and a new Champion is crowned, if the Astro holes don’t win, we can all put on our GM caps and begin making our fantasy selections on just who the Dodgers might target via trade, free agency or dipping into the Asian free agent pool and plucking a Nipponese pitcher.
I expect some changes, maybe even one or two in the coaching ranks, and maybe the front office. Boston is looking for an exec. I believe the Mets are too. McCullough has been mentioned as a managerial candidate for a couple of teams. The Dodgers always seem to lose one that way to another organization. I myself would like to see some change in the hitting philosophy. But y’all know I am old school. I totally dislike strikeouts. Especially when players blow by 100 by July.
There will be a couple of very good starting pitchers on the market in Blake Snell and Yamamoto from Japan. There will also be a few who have had some success in the past but have fallen on tougher times lately. With Kershaw’s possible departure, and the Julio Urias debacle, LA might need a lefty. The best available is Snell. The problem is his agent. AF does not like doing business with Boras. Or at least with Bora’s high dollar clients.
He signed Martinez because he came relatively cheap. Snell is going to get major money and most likely a 5- or 6-year deal. Boras got Rodon a six-year deal with the Yankees, so I doubt he will have much trouble securing something close for Snell, who is a former Cy Young winner, something Rodon is not. And Snell will win the ERA title this year.
The one I would kick the tires on is Jordan Montgomery. He finished 4-2 for the Rangers with an ERA under 3. He is not a high strikeout guy, but he doesn’t walk a lot of hitters either. Only 48 in 188 innings. He only gave up 18 homers too. So, in almost half his starts, he did not allow a homer. He has also shown well in this postseason for the Rangers so far and pitched well enough for the Rangers to shutout Houston, 2-0 in game one of the ALCS.
The most prominent closer coming on the market is Josh Hader. Hader had 33 saves, 2 wins and 3 losses. He blew 5 saves. He gave up 3 long balls in 56 innings and struck out 85. His ERA was 1.28 and his WHIP was 1.101. He is one of the better closers in the game. But do the Dodgers want to pay him in excess of the 14 million he made last year because he is going to get more than that.
Others coming out as free agents, Will Smith, David Robertson, Craig Kimbrel and Trevor May. Daniel Hudson of the Dodgers has a 6.5 mil club option. I think they will not exercise it. There will be others as team’s non-tender players. So, the free agent list will be well over 100 players by the time of the winter meetings.
I have seen many posters saying the Dodgers need to sign a third baseman. Matt Chapman is the name mentioned the most. Arenado is who most actually want, but St. Louis does not seem to want to trade him. Me? Well, if they could swing a deal, I would take Ramirez of Cleveland. But there is a free agent who is 29 and I was impressed with his work as a Cub after he was traded to Chicago. Jemier Candelario. Candelario hit .254 and had 22 homers. He also is a very good defender.
But again, my gut feeling tells me that they are going to give their two kids a shot at everyday jobs. Busch or Vargas can play third. They both played there at OKC. Vargas and Busch also played 2nd base. So it remains to be seen whether the Dodgers pursue a trade or decide to play the kids.
I saw where Bradley had suggested that the Dodgers look at trying to get Ke’bryan Hayes from the Pirates along with Bryan Reynolds. Both would be very good acquisitions. The problem with the suggestion is that both of those guys just signed long term contracts with the Pirates. Hayes is only 27 and Reynolds 29. They both are signed for 7 more years with an option year added. Neither is all that expensive, but Pittsburgh signed those guys to be their core players over the next several years. They are not getting traded anytime soon.
There will be plenty of outfielders available once the non-tenders and outright release lists are finalized. Even old pal Joc will be free to sign wherever he wants. So far, the Giants are busy looking for a new manager. Four teams looking for those and there could be a fifth if Craig Counsell decides not to go back with the Brewers. His contract expires on the 31st of October.
So, get ready for the annual winter sleigh ride. For you guys in California and Arizona, that is a old time mode of transportation when it snows heavily. There will probably be some surprises in store. There always are. But come next February, we will have a much better idea of who is going to be at Camelback Ranch than we do now.
Discussion (29)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Andrew Friedman wouldn’t comment specifically on Ohtani, but he suggested that the Dodgers will be aggressive in pursuing frontline free-agent talent, particularly in light of coming up short in that regard in recent winters — something out of the norm for most of the decade-plus since the Guggenheim ownership group took over.
“We’re extremely angry, disappointed with how these last two offseasons have gone, and we’re going to do everything we can to put ourselves in position for it not to happen next year,” said Friedman. “So what that means exactly, I’m not sure yet, but I do feel very confident that when we show up in Arizona in February, we’re going to have a team that has very, very legit championship aspirations.”
Yep. There are making Diamondbacks look like an 84 win team
The Phillies are the embodiment of what the Dodgers thought they would be.
Without the playoff slump and pitching injuries.
Favorite Stat from the broadcast? Phillies LEADOFF hitter had 47 HR and 48 singles.
To Bluto’s point, I would add that AF is very reluctant to sign pitchers to long-term contracts. If Snell wants the security of a 5- or 6-year deal, he probably won’t be a Dodger.
As I recall it, Kershaw worked through one five-year deal and has since opted for one-year deals, which AF probably loves. The Bauer deal was a three-year commitment at a record AAV. AF was willing to pay Tyler Anderson the QO of $19-million after his breakthrough season,, but was unwilling to give him a 3-year deal at a lower AAV like the Angels. (Anderson did not have a good season–but we don’t know how he would have pitched under Prior with a better team behind him.)
AF is fine with long-term deals with proven everyday players, as Mookie and Freddie illustrate. Even if he can’t pitch for one season, Shohei is a proven everyday DH–the best in the game. He’ll probably be pitching in ’25–and he could be an SP or do a Smoltz and move to the bullpen. If he is someday told, “You will never pitch again,” he could slide into the OF and open up DH for others.
One of the Dodger YouTubers made an interesting point yesterday, suggesting that the AF really whiffed in ’22 when he failed to deal for the Reds’ ace Luis Castillo. It reminded me that I had been hoping for a big package of Castillo + Drury. The Mariners snagged Castillo and the Padres wound up with Drury. Both Castillo and Drury have had successful runs since those deals.
The Mariners gave of three of their top prospects for Castillo, and promptly signed him to a 5-year, $108-million contract. DiPoto wasn’t messing around: the Mariners went out and locked up their ace. In ’23, Castillio finished 14-9 with a 3.34 ERA and 219 Ks and a 1.10 WHIP.
When the details of the Castillo deal were reported, it seemed like an overpay–three good prospects for a rental? But of course DiPoto made sure it wasn’t a rental. I’m left wondering whether AF would have made such a deal. Would he have offered, say, Cartaya (#1 prospect then) and nice sweeteners (like Busch or Knack or ??) for Castillo alone? How about an “overpay” for both Castillo and Drury?
I already said it: Spilt milk. But my point is that AF may be overly focused on what he considers a fair price than aggressively pursuing a difference- He nickeled-and-dimed it in ’22, getting Gallo for Beeter and Chris Martin for McKinstry. He did not swing for the fences like DiPoto.
If he had, perhaps he would have dealt Cartaya and Busch at peak value and now Castillo would be fronting the Dodgers rotation. And at least in ’22, the roster would have featured Drury instead of Vargas.
Let’s pause now and remember how, after Lance Lynn’s first couple of starts with the Dodgers, there was a lot of chatter here about how AF had “won” the midseason trades. That proved to be premature.
Is there an ace-caliber lefty on the trade market?
My guess is that AF won’t swing for the fences.
It was 6 or 7 years ago when Roberts was a complete disaster in the playoffs. He should have been fired. He was rewarded with a contract extension. He has carte blanche with management.
I don’t blame him for this years collapse except to note that motivating his players is part of his duties.
I will say that if you are depending on a manager that leaves his starting pitcher in the game to give up 4 home runs in what will be the last game of the year you may be waiting a long time to ever advance in the playoffs.
Here’s the AF and Gomes press conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp6oTXUrQcM
Dave Roberts isn’t the problem. There is old saying “Coaches get to much blame when teams lose and to much credit when they win.”
I enjoy regular seasons to of course but I would enjoy more not getting embarrassed like we have last three playoff series we been in. It’s ok bear you and mark are happy with the way things are. I’m happy for you but some of us fans crave way more no matter how much you all defend the way things are. Getting outplayed in the playoffs has become routine. What do they say about what insanity is. Changes are needed. What I don’t understand is how easily you all except losing. I never used to be but I’m on the dump Roberts band wagon now to. Players aren’t responding to his voice anymore.
It is time to slowly transition Will Smith to Third or Second. Maybe carry three catchers. Smith’s bat is essential.
For those dump Doc Roberts supporters, you are going to be disappointed for at least another year. Andrew Freidman just confirmed that Roberts will indeed be the manager in 24. Brandon Gomes declined to be interviewed for the Red Sox GM job.
The playoffs are what matter most. There’s no rings to be won in the regular season. Only teams that might be celebrating or satisfied with having a good regular season are piss poor teams in the first place. And what you just posted only shows how little regular season means
Whatever happens just hope Friedman uses a different philosophy then has been using because one has been using isn’t working
Oh – Lots of people say that AF should have traded for Jordon Montgomery in Mid-Season. What was the asking price? In dealing Montgomery and Stratton to the Rangers, the Cardinals acquired right-handed pitcher Tekoah Roby, infielder Thomas Saggese and left-handed pitcher John King, who has pitched 127 1/3 Major League innings.
It was rumored that the Cardinals were asking for LA’s Top Pitching Prospects (plural). “The deal would have to be headlined by at least one of the Dodgers’ top pitching prospects — Bobby Miller and/or Emmet Sheehan — and would need to include some combination of pitchers Gavin Stone, Michael Grove and/or Ryan Pepiot,” Bowden continued. “The Cardinals would be looking for at least three young starters.
1. Boras does not like to sign extensions – he calls them “snuff contracts” and says they frequently leave 40% on the table. Seager was all about maximizing his worth. No way AF could have extended him. Maybe Will Smith!
2. Cody will not be back because of who his agent is… and other things.
3. The Dodgers might trade one of Vargas, Cartaya, Pages, and/or Busch, but it would be really dumb to trade them all.
4. AF will kick the tires on Montgomery but will likely be outbid.
5. Yamamoto? AF will be in on him… big time.
6. Hader? The Dodgers will not pay BIG BUX for him… nor should they.
7. AF will sign a couple of players everyone despises, and they will be stars.
Stay Tuned!
The problem with most ideas about which free agents to sign or who to trade for is that A. the teams have to want to trade said player, B, you have to have players they want, and fringe guys are not getting the big talent back. C. Free agents, at least the good ones, are going to have more teams seeking their services, which means you most likely are going to overpay to get them. Ohtani is an example. Ohtani is going to get a very large, long deal. Even if he cannot pitch next year. Most of the stories I have seen and read have about five teams seriously in the running to sign him. These are teams with the financial wherewithal to do so. Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Dodgers, and the Giants. SD has an outside chance if they really want to break the bank again. They are loaded with long-term deals. The Angels, his present club, are not on any of the lists I have seen. We should know where he is going before the end of the year. I am sure he wants to sign as soon as possible. The Angels have exclusive rights for five days after the World Series. But I don’t see them getting a deal done.
As they say, get the band back together if possible. Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson. DeLuca platoons with Joc. There’s your outfield with Outman. Betts goes to SS.
DH?, 3B?, 2B?. The in house options are Martinez, Muncy, Busch, Lux or outside the Dodgers organization. I don’t know who realistically because I haven’t looked.
Bring up Feduccia. Barnes gone.
Pitching, pitching, pitching and more pitching. Good pitching beats good hitting. Start with Josh Hader and try to keep the 4 dominant relievers this year together, Phillips, Brasier, S. Miller, Graterol.
Use any or all of Vargas, Cartaya, Pages in trades for top shelf pitching. Especially 2 top shelf starters and look to the free agent market too. I don’t know who realistically because I haven’t looked.
There’s other guys I’d keep too, but I think those are the important things. I’m not saying I’m right though.
OK, Fallito, you bring up a name we haven’t spoken about, Jesus Luzardo.
He’s a very good, young, lefty pitcher. That’s the positive.
The negative? Why would the Marlins want to trade him?
If you were given the GM’s job, who would you offer the Marlins to convince them to trade him?
1. I will trade for Juan Soto
2. I wil trade for Luzardo
3. I will sign Yamamoto
I expect the following:
1 – They will try Lux at SS – no way to know if his ACL reconstruction has affected his lateral movement.
2 – They will give Busch and Vargas long looks. 2B, 3B and LF are all possible landing spots for them. We really don’t know if either of them are the real thing. The limited looks they got are not definitive and they are still trying to figure it out.
3 – Max Muncy does not meet the eyeball test or any other test at 3B. He will probably DH mostly next year.
4 – JD Martinez is likely gone. He signed for one year to re-establish his value. They don’t need 2 DHs and Muncy will be cheaper, he is younger and healthier.
5 – I expect that Jason Hayward is back for a year or two as a 4th OF.
6 – Rosario has no plate discipline and he’s gone. Kike is the same guy as Taylor and Taylor is under contract so Kike is gone. Peralta is gone.
7 – They have several relievers who are free agents or are the Dodgers have team options. These include Kelly ($9.5M team option vs $1M buyout), Brazier, Shelby Miller, Treinen ($1M (?) team option), Daniel Hudson ($6.5 M team option), Jimmy Nelson, Alex Reyes ($3M team option). I’m sure they would like to keep Miller or Brazier but they could be offered more after the seasons that they’ve just had. I could see them exercising Treinen’s option because it’s cheap to see if he has anything left. I expect that Reyes could be resigned for cheap. Nelson and Hudson are likely gone.
8 – Lance Lynn has an $18MM team option. He’s gone. Kershaw is a big questionmark. So is Buehler, although he will be back. (Pitchers with 2 Tommy John surgeries don’t have a particularly good track record.) This is the area of greatest need. It will be interesting to see what magic that Friedman can pull from his hat to bolster the rotation.
The Rangers approach to this season is interesting compared to the Dodgers. Both teams suffered many pitching injuries throughout the year.
The Rangers lost their ace, Jacob DeGrom after 6 games and also lost Scherzer, Odorizzi, Gray, and Pérez for parts of the season. However, unlike the Dodgers, the Rangers invested heavily in pitching assets before the season and during the season.
At the trade deadline, they got both Scherzer and Montgomery plus Aroldis Chapman, and Stratton.
Before the season, the Rangers acquired the following pitchers:
DeGrom, Eovaldi, Pérez, Odorizzi, Dane Dunning, Heaney, Ian Kennedy, Sborz, Will Smith.
They brought in 6 quality starters and three late inning relievers in the off season, in addition to the two high end starters and relievers brought in at the trade deadline.
The Dodgers by comparison, brought in only a washed-up Thor in the offseason. Even though they had lost Buehler for the year, Gonsolin was injured last year, May was returning from TJ, and Anderson and Heaney were let go.
The Rangers have taken the win now approach, while the Dodgers are content to reset and settle for a transition year. The Dodgers won 10 more games than the Rangers this year and had a great regular season. But even coming into the playoffs as a 100-win team, few Dodger fans thought they could win the WS or even beat the Braves. And it turned out even worse than imagined when Dodgers were swept by an 84-win team without having a lead for even one inning.
The Dodgers major trade acquisitions the last two trade deadlines have been Joey Gallo and Lance Lynn. And their major free agent pitcher signing last offseason was Syndergaard.
The Dodgers front office needs more urgency to win championships. Not only did they bow out of the playoffs early, but they didn’t reset the luxury tax this year either. So next year may be another transition year again.
Ohtani is a superduperstar… but only a superstar in ’24.
Belli should be a superstar.
Who are the undervalued assets?
Once again, I want to point out Friedman’s MO.
He goes after superstars and he goes after undervalued assets.
He doesn’t go after Chapman, Adam Frazier or Jordan Montgomery.
He could change his philosophy, but until now he hasn’t.
A lot of people talking about Jordan Montgomery, IMHO the chances of that are Slimsky and Nonesky. The Dodgers would have to seriously overpay to get him Besides that, ( all things being equal ) why would he wanna come to the Dodgers? He’s pitching for a team with a great offense ,that looks like they could win for several years. He’s also a southern boy, so there’s that. Pretty sure the Rangers will play hardball (pun intended) to keep him.
Unfortunately for us…
Because the Dodgers chose to release Bauer, and then spent little chunks of money on Peralta, Rojas,
and a not so small amount on Syndegard they did NOT re-set their CAP and WILL have to this winter.
For me, with that being my belief I would spend what ever resources we have on Pitching.
Yamamoto, and the Lefty out of Japan as well. Montgomery…
I would bring back Kelly, Trinian, S Miller, and Hudson.
I do like Candilario for 3B.
It seems likely that two teams (the Rangers and Phillies who went big in the free agent market) will meet in the World Series. I wonder if the Dodgers, after a second straight failure to launch in the playoffs, will consider a slight change in approach. Will they go big in the pitching market? They finished second to the Mets in the Justin Verlander sweepstakes.
I’m guessing pitching will be the priority. Depending what Kershaw does, the probably need a lefty starter. Yes, Blake Snell would be great, but seriously, who wants to deal with Scott Boras? Jordan Montgomery would seem like a reasonable option. But the competition will be heavy.
The Japanese pitcher would seem to be perfect for the Dodgers. I’m thinking they focus on him and build around their young pitching corps. Will Walker Buehler return to top form. After a second TJ, some do and some don’t. Early reports are promising. I thought it was a real push to try to get him back in September. The Dodgers seem primed to make a big deal in the trade market this winter. Lots of prospects and you can’t keep them all.
They’ll commit to Michael Busch or use him as a big piece in a trade. The big player is, of course, Shohei Ohtani. But no one really knows what he wants, other than to make the playoffs. As a hitter, he’s exceptional. Pitching? No one really knows. That’s a complex deal or it’s a two year deal with an opt out.
I’m guessing Max Muncy plays third. Maybe one of the young guys gets a shot. But I wouldn’t push for a Chapman.
The first thing the Dodgers must decide is whether they pay a boatload of money for Ohtani to DH. If not, whole lot of ways to go.
Good write-up, Bear.
Do you remember when posters here said they didn’t want Bruce Bochy coz he was too old and was a .500 lifetime manager?
Bradley, we have practically the very players you just asked for. 36-year-old Peralta, 230 Rosario, Taylor, Kike etc. Wish big! Well, my World Series could be just fine if Texas wins 2 more games. You know what’s funny? All 4 teams left usually run the same lineup out 90% of the time. It still works! also love having some old school managers involved. A blast from the past! go Rangers!!
In the AFL last night, only two Dodgers played:
Damon Keith was 1-3 with a run scored (,250 BA/.768 OPS)
Ronon Kopp went 2 innings, allowing an unearned run (he made a throwing error) , but he did strike out 3 while walking just 1.
He will be a lockdown, multi-inning reliever if he can harness his control, but then if chickens had lips they would be people!
Dodgers need a second baseman that is consistent in hitting a third baseman that can also hit and play the field a Leftfielder that can pretty much play every day that’s what they need to look at in free agents ir trades and a left-handed starter in the rotation that’s what they need in the off-season I don’t think Vargas and Busch are the answer. Now Kike I do think they need to keep him, he can play everywhere and hit better than those two. So, I think their target would be Michael Brantley a LF Matt Chapman a third baseman and Adam Frazier a second baseman that’s my guess on position players. Now starters for pitching Snell, Nola maybe Stroman or Sonny Gray. To go with what they have in pitching. They then need to decide is it Muncy at DH or JD Martinez.