November 21st, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka When the Dodgers signed six-year Major League veteran right-hander Tom Koehler to an incentive-loaded one-year contract on December 20, 2017, the then 31-year-old Bronx, New York native was in a position to make $2 million in performance incentives on top of his guaranteed $2 million base salary.
Not only did he not make a penny of that incentive money, he did not make a pitch in a Dodgers uniform during the entire 2018 regular season or the just-concluded postseason … not one pitch.
Not a bad gig for two million bucks.
If your weren’t at spring training in early March, chances are exceptionally good that you never saw Tom Koehler pitch. Here’s proof that he actually did, albeit during a bullpen session shortly after pitchers and catchers reported. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Obviously, no one knew at the time of his signing that the extremely polite and rather humorous (on Twitter) former Miami Marlin (six years) and Toronto Blue Jay (one year) had what was initially diagnosed as a “mild anterior capsule strain in his right shoulder,” suffered during his combined 1.1 innings of work in the two spring training games in which he appeared. In those two “meaningless spring training games” (as they are often called), the 6′-3″ / 235-pound right-hander allowed three runs on two hits (including a home run), while walking three and striking out none. As a result of his “mild” spring training injury, Koehler began the 2018 campaign on the disabled list.
He never came off it.
After numerous attempts to try to work through his injury, it was reported on July 24, 2018 that Koehler had undergone season-ending surgery on his shoulder.
“He was a guy who when we signed him this winter, we were all excited about it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters a mere five days after the 2018 All-Star break. “Disappointing for him, for our ball club, because I do think that he could have added a good element to our ‘pen.”
There is zero doubt that as a competitor, Koehler was indeed disappointed that he never appeared in even one game as a Dodger. But let’s be real here. It’s probably safe to say that Mark Walter, Peter Guber, Bobby Patton, Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, Todd Boehly, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss – aka: Guggenheim Baseball Management, aka: Dodgers ownership – were far more disappointed, having shelled out $2 million (plus medical expenses) and receiving absolutely nothing in return on their investment.
As Dodger fans may or may not know, Tuesday was the deadline for teams to add eligible minor leaguers to their 40-man rosters to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft, which will take place during the MLB Winter Meetings December 9-13 in Las Vegas. Just prior to the deadline, the Dodgers announced that they had added right-hander Yadier Alvarez, infielder Matt Beaty, infielder Edwin Rios, catcher Keibert Ruiz and right-hander Josh Sborz to their 40-man roster to prevent them from being scooped up by another team in the Rule-5 draft.
To make room on their roster, the Dodgers designated right-hander Erik Goeddel, left-hander Zac Rosscup and speedy infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro for assignment. They also gave Tom Koehler his unconditional release.
We certainly wish nothing but the best for Tom and his family, and hope that he lands a job with another team … hopefully one that will get more bang for their buck than the Dodgers did.
Play Ball!
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Assuming that Koehler gets a clean bill of health, the best he can likely hope for is a split minor/major league contract and an invite to ST. I will not be surprised if the Dodgers make that kind of offer to him if healthy. Koehler and his wife seemed thrilled to be with Dodgers so a “redo” may be possible.
If I were to make a guess, Dodgers might keep him on the back burner so to speak if indeed he would be healthy. But i figure Dodgers will try to fill obvious position player holes as we speak today, and that is a starting catcher and or a 2nd baseman.
If anyone thinks that the Dodgers truly need a 2nd baseman, that’s why I’m hoping the Dodgers sign Machado and put Seager on 2nd.
Instead of Machado find a player who can play SS and 2b without griping about the position switch. M’s open to trading Segura, or Rangers’ Jurickson Profar.
Happy Thanksgiving! I honestly think Machado will be else where in 2019 anyway. Also would prefer a 2nd who may not HAVE to be platooned, but I know that part is a reach.
As I mentioned I would bet Machado will be elsewhere in 2019, as Dodgers appear confident Seager will be at SS to begin the year but wss.
There us no reason to even think that the Dodgers would sign Machado. There’s more chance of them bringing back Orel or Valenzuala than signing Machado!
Agree.
It could be worse. I remember when the Dodgers gave a big contract to Darren Dreifort. Even though he did throw for the team –and could hit– you could argue that was one of the worst contracts in team history.
And then how much money did they waste on Andruw Jones… BUT they got their money’s worth with Brandon Morrow, so (big shrug)
Remember Jason Schmidt? 3 years, $47MM pitched 10 games, 43.1 innings, and a 6.01 ERA for Dodgers
This is why I like incentivized contracts. Players can earn alot if they are willing to have confidence in their own ability. Past performance should influence incentives, not gauranteed salsty.
BTW, does anyone know if teams tske out insurance in case players get injured?
Yes, they do.
I doubt the loss of Koehler’s $2M base salary, (obviously he didn’t get the incentives) gave Friedman, Magic, et al, more than a moments grief.
Especially when you consider they also paid Yaisel Sierra $5M in 2018. Whatever happened to this guy? I admit, I was happy when they signed this guy a few years back for $30M. Now looks like another Schmidt, Dreifort, Jones type loss.
It’s all the “business” of baseball, every team has some loser contracts. Question is, do those anchors sink the ship. Happily, in the Dodgers case we are NOW in such good shape with contracts we are being linked to the biggest free agents. What to do?
Me, I’m kicking the tires on Machado, probably wouldn’t get him because I’m not interested in any contracts starting with a 3. My offer, 5 years, (with three year opt-out) $180-$200M. Seager’s my 1st or 2nd baseman in 2018 depending on the arm health.
I’m talking to Cleveland about their pitching, but I am most interested in Brad Hand. I want to add 2-3 shut down relievers on 2-3 year contracts. The free-agent/trade market looks good for adding relievers this year. MLB is changing, looks like less emphasis on starters and more emphasis on locking down the 6th through 9th innings and we are deep on 5 inning starters.
My Realmuto offer, Muncy and Farmer. But I would probably prefer Gomes for a year.
Other than Gomes for 1 year, I am with you 100%. If not Realmuto then Franciso Cervelli by trade, or go free agent route and sign Matt Wieters as a platoon partner with Barnes. Brad Hand to Dodgers makes much more sense than either Kluber or Carassco, but Zach Britton will not cost Dodgers anything but money.
I only mention Gomes because I keep seeing Dodgers linked to him. I am assuming he could be obtained pretty cheaply, otherwise pass. I don’t want to see a big investment in a catcher, either in money, players or prospects, we just need that one year bridge to our prospects. Still wishing Grandal would have taken the QO.
I’m not even sold on Realmuto, considering the cost. Would rather trade Muncy (who I consider a huge trade asset) for something else, like part of a package for Diaz and Haniger at Seattle.
Britton? Get him! We are a shut down bullpen away from a Championship or two and there is lots of nice free-agent relief pitchers this year and the Dodgers look nicely situated to do some serious shopping.
If the rumors are even close regarding the Marlins asking price for Realmuto then Dodgers should definitely move on to another option. I like Cervelli who is entering his walk year with Pirates. Muncy? Now is the time to trade Muncy if Dodgers think that 2018 was his career year, but if they believe he is the real deal then he is a very cheap first baseman for years to come. There should be several teams interested in Muncy if Dodgers shop him.
Cervelli, Gomes or someone like them is about the best we can hope for this year. I just don’t want to see an overpay. Friedman’s M-O is to find a veteran like them to pair with Barnes and he doesn’t like to overpay either, so there is that. Hopefully, Barnes will also bounce back to his 2017 form.
I think Muncy’s bat is the real deal, but he appears limited defensively. With four years of control, huge trade asset.
Dodgers are deep at first, Freese, Seager (not optimistic about the arm being ready, in spite of November talk), Bellinger, Turner in 2020. I explore selling HIGH on Muncy.