What Now?

With the Dodgers no longer in the market for a Designated Hitter, I am sure that the Giants and Diamondbacks will be looking at JD Martinez and Justin Turner, and I would not be surprised to see both in the NL West next year. Also, with Ohtani in the fold, look for the Dodgers to get a little less Lefthanded. I still think it is likely that the Dodgers will try to trade for Corbin Burns and Willy Adames, with Gavin Lux and Michael Busch being a big part of that deal, along with two RH Pitchers. Adames is RH and a power hitter who just might benefit from the tutelage of RVS. Yes, Burnes and Adames are one-year rentals, but the Dodgers have shown they can sign anyone if they so desire. The Yankees just traded for Juan Soto, a one-year rental.

I also think that the Dodgers have to rely on in-house solutions for LF and CF. Vargas can play LF (another RH hitter who does not strike out much). Then, they have Outman in CF, who will be allowed to play every day, but if he needs to be platooned, there is always CT3 and maybe Kike (if they re-sign him). I think that you have to trust that Vargas and Outman will improve.

Outman needs to cut down on his strikeouts by just 10-15% and learn to hit LHP with more authority. Give him that goal and let him develop even more. He also needs to improve on his jumps and defense, but he has shown that he is a willing learner. Now that the dust has settled, we know what happened to Miguel Vargas last year – he broke two fingers (at different times) and tried to play through it. He was never right and developed some bad plate habits. I thought the Dodgers were tinkering with his swing (which seemed silly) because it was different. It turns out that his broken fingers and the resultant pain from checked swings or swinging derailed the whole season. He is the same player we thought he was, and I still look for him to hit .270+ with 15+ HR while being a good base runner. Part of Andrew Friedman’s plan is for youngsters to have the opportunity to develop, and development is not linear, as we all know!

The lineup could look like this:

1. Betts 2B
2. Ohtani DH
3. Smith C )I like splitting up the L-R hitters)
4. Freeman 1B (why not?)
5. Muncy 3B
6. Adames SS (30 HR/.800 OPS?)
7. Heyward/Kike RF
8. Outman CF
9. Vargas LF

Now… how about some pitching?

P.S. – We await with bated breath to find out what the deal is with the Yankees… Where’s Hoornstra when you need him?

P.S.2 – Of course, as a fan, you are prepared to pay $500 for a “cheap seat” and $30 for a beer?