When the Dodgers brass arrived at the 2017 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida last Sunday, they did so having already lost out on Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani and 2017 NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton.

Although Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi had submitted their essay (if you will) that Ohtani’s agent had requested from MLB teams interested in acquiring the 23-year-old two-way pitcher / outfielder, he eventually decided to sign with the Angels of Anaheim so that he could “play with Mike Trout.”

As for Stanton, the Dodgers were never really in on him or the 10 years and $295 million remaining on his initial (and insane) 13-year / $325 million contract with the Miami Marlins that would have cost the Dodgers an additional boatload of money in MLB-imposed luxury tax.

Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Realistically, from a roster standpoint, Friedman and Zaidi didn’t need many pieces to compliment their 2017 National League championship team that came one Yu Darvish and  Chris Woodward blown game away from their first World Series title in 29 years. They had already locked down star third baseman Justin Turner and star closer Kenley Jansen to long-term contract extensions last December and will basically be putting the same team on the field in 2018 – a team that won an MLB-best and franchise record-tying 104 games in 2017.

Although the Dodgers did lose right-handed set-up man Brandon Morrow to the Chicago Cubs during this week’s winter meetings, it was pretty much expected. The 33-year-old Santa Rosa, California native was seeking a multi-year contract at a closer’s salary – which he most definitely earned and deserved. But why would the Dodgers choose to match or exceed these offers when they already have the best closer in the game today in Jansen, not to mention that luxury tax threshold thing again? Instead, the Dodgers added 27-year-old / just-off-of-Tommy-John-surgery right-hander Yimi Garcia to their 25-man roster in hopes that he will be able to fill some of the enormous void caused by Morrow’s departure.

Other than that, the Dodgers executives and their entourage of media types were basically in central Florida this past week to enjoy the weather, visit with friends and colleagues, and enjoy some outstanding food and drink … that’s it.

Oh sure, there were some minor league deals cut that might develop into future successes for the five-time consecutive NL West champions, and there’s Friday’s Rule-5 Draft (hence that Yimi Garcia thing), but as far as acquiring a game-changing / difference-making veteran, it simply didn’t happen; this in spite of the fact that the Dodgers were often mentioned in several high-profile deals throughout the week.

With spring training still two months away (to the day), there remains the possibility that the Dodgers can and probably will make several low-dollar free agent signings that will include invitations to major league camp. But as far as making any blockbuster deals, it ain’t gonna happen.

In other words, what you see is what you get … which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Play Ball!