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So Much to be Determined

I do not remember in my lifetime a Dodger team being this good. I do not remember in my lifetime a Dodger team with so much potential. I do not remember a Dodger team so deep. I do not remember a Dodger farm system so talented. I also do not remember a team that has so many roster spots to be determined. Let me elaborate. With the additions of David

By Mark Timmons2 min readJump to 64 comments

I do not remember in my lifetime a Dodger team being this good. I do not remember in my lifetime a Dodger team with so much potential. I do not remember a Dodger team so deep. I do not remember a Dodger farm system so talented.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12: David Price #33 and Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers answer questions from the media during an introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium on February 12, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

I also do not remember a team that has so many roster spots to be determined. Let me elaborate. With the additions of David Price, Mookie Betts, and Brudsar Graterol, the deepest team in MLB just got deeper. Here are the roster locks… barring injury, suspension, or trade:

  1. Price
  2. Betts
  3. Smith
  4. Muncy
  5. Lux
  6. Seager
  7. Turner
  8. Pederson
  9. Pollock
  10. Bellinger
  11. Betts
  12. Hernandez
  13. Taylor
  14. Treinen
  15. Baez
  16. Jansen
  17. Buehler
  18. Kershaw
  19. Wood
  20. Urias
  21. Stripling
  22. Kelly

All 22 of those players will most likely be on the Opening Day Roster… again… barring trade or injury, so there are only 4 spots up for grabs, but look at how many possibilities there are for those last 4 spots:

  1. Alexander
  2. Ferguson
  3. Floro
  4. Gonsolin
  5. Gonzalez
  6. Graterol
  7. Kolarek
  8. May
  9. Nelson
  10. Santana
  11. Sborz
  12. White
  13. Barnes
  14. Ruiz
  15. Beaty
  16. McKinstry
  17. Rios
  18. Raley
  19. Peters
  20. de Gues
  21. Gray

Twenty-one (21) players have a shot at those four (maybe more with injury or trade). Some are really long shots (Gray, de Geus, Sborz, White, Santana, Ruiz), while others are possible if their competition tanks and they rule in Spring Training. Most won’t make the Opening Day roster but could get called up later in the season. We shall enjoy the show.

I mean, it’s like MLB.Radio always says: “The Dodgers are so deep they can field two teams.” This is going to be some kind of fun year! I stay away from statistical predictions, but with the additions of Mark Prior, Josh Bard, Rob Hill, and Driveline Baseball, I this we could see some amazing things from some of the Dodger pitchers, like Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, Alex Wood, Jimmy Nelson, Blake Treinen, and all the rest.

Not all of them will respond positively in a great way… but I’ll bet some do!

Dodger News

  • Pitchers and catchers report today. I’m in Phoenix and have such a tight schedule that I can’t even stop by Camelback Ranch. It’s been 5 years since I have been to Spring Training, but I’ll be here for a week next Spring.

Today’s Music

Discussion (64)

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  1. Mark TimmonsFebruary 13, 2020

    I was in a big hurry this AM

  2. Always CompeteFebruary 13, 2020

    I like Betts a lot, and he is a special player, but I agree with Voldomer that Betts isn’t THAT GOOD where he can take up two roster spots. I also agree with Voldomer that Austin Barnes has to be on the lock list. The team needs two catchers, and Ruiz has options and Barnes does not, so that is about as much of a lock as you can have.

    Since Nelson signed a MLB contract, and with no options, he is also a lock to make the 26 man.

    So that is three open spots.

    On your locks, I will go with Buehler, Kershaw, Price, Urias, and Wood as the 5 starting pitchers going into ST. KJ, Treinen, Kelly, Baez, Strip, Nelson are 6 of the expected 8 relievers and all are RHP. LHRP options include, Alexander, Ferguson, Gonzalez, and Kolarek. IMO, Victor Gonzalez will be in OKC and might assume a starting role to stretch out for a possible LH swing man role. The Dodgers are enamored with Kolarek, but the 3 batter rule will have to be strongly considered. Kolarek will undoubtedly be called to face ML RHH in ST to determine if Doc will feel comfortable with Kolarek on the 26 man. I am going with Alexander and Ferguson as my two LHRP for the total of 8.

    That leaves one bench player, and unless anyone can convince me that anyone else is more deserving, I am going with Matt Beaty.

    Starting Pitching:

    Kershaw (L)

    Buehler (R)

    Price (L)

    Urias (L)

    Wood (L)

    Relief Pitching:

    Alexander(L)

    Ferguson (L)

    Treinen (R)

    Baez (R)

    Strip (R)

    Kelly (R)

    Nelson (R)

    KJ (R)

    Starting Eight:

    Smith (R)

    Muncy (L)

    Lux (L)

    Seager (L)

    JT (R)

    Joc (L)

    Belli (L)

    Betts (R)

    Bench:

    Barnes – C (R)

    Pollock – LF (R)

    CT3 – INF/OF (R)

    Kike’ – INF/OF (R)

    Beaty – LF/3B/1B (L)

    One question that will be looked at closely; will Dustin May show enough that he should start at the MLB level in the rotation with Urias or Wood going to the pen, and either Alexander or Ferguson going to OKC. I believe that may be a May/June decision, but not coming out of ST. Also, will Jimmy Nelson show enough to break into the rotation as another RH option, again moving Urias or Wood to the pen?

    Unless there are trades or injuries, I am going with the 26 I have above. At least until the next time I look at this.

  3. VoldomerFebruary 13, 2020

    Betts in on your “locks” list twice, so that frees up one slot. Surely Barnes gets it.

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