December 15th, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It is difficult, impossible even, to believe that “The Big One” (as firefighters and police officers often say) isn’t about to happen for the Dodgers.
I mean, how is it that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman can go to the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings in Las Vegas amidst countless rumors that the Dodgers were the odds-on favorite to land former Washington Nationals outfielder (and now free agent) Bryce Harper and / or Miami Marlins All-Star / Silver Slugger catcher J.T. Realmuto (among others) and come home with only right-handed reliever Joe Kelly in his pocket?
Don’t get me wrong, the signing of Kelly to a three-year / $25 million contract is a huge pick up for the Dodgers and gives them the perfect bridge to Dodgers All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. But still, leaving Las Vegas without having made an earth-shattering blockbuster trade or free agent acquisition amongst all of the rumors left most Dodger fans feeling anything but fulfilled.
But worry not, Dodger fans. You can bet (no Las Vegas pun intended) that Friedman, et al. opened dialog with quite a few of his colleagues that will more than likely come to fruition over the next few weeks … or sooner.
Call it a hunch, a premonition, or nothing more than a wild guess, but it is absolutely impossible to believe that the Dodgers 40-man roster on December 15, 2018 will be the same 40-man roster when pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 12, 2019, and even more so on Opening Day 2019 on March 28.
Will it be Harper?
Will it be Realmuto?
Will it be Bumgarner? (Just kidding).
Stay tuned…
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I once thought that the Dodgers might still be thinking of signing Machado, moving J.T. to 2b, placing Seager on 3rd and Manny at SS but now our only hope is either Harper or Realmuto. Not that that’s bad news, of course.
“…now our only hope is either Harper or Realmuto.”
Is this how you honestly see it, Joe? Do you actually believe that the Dodgers are hopeless without Harper or Realmuto? If so, I’ve got some bad news for you. I don’t believe that the Dodgers will land either.
And if you honestly thought that the Dodgers were going to bring Machado back, you are/were delusional. I also think that your rework of the Dodgers infield would be a disaster.
The point to this article is that something is going to happen, and probably relatively soon.
I agree, I don’t see Dodgers getting either Harper or Realmuto.
Cost for Realmuto too high especially considering what we have in the minors and us only needing a one-year bridge. Better to go for catcher defense and get offense somewhere else in 2019.
Harper too expensive considering we are stacked in outfielders and bad defense isn’t in the Dodgers team-building playbook. If Harper would reduce the number of contract years, perhaps.
I guess I’m also delusional, wouldn’t be the first time. But, I keep hoping we are the “mystery” team in on Machado. We need a second baseman and a righty bat that can hit left handed pitching, Machado solves both. I have my doubts about Seager handling shortstop in 2019. I also wonder when Father Time catches up to 34 yr old Justin Turner. If Machado can be got for five-years (with three-year opt out) at a high AAV, get him!
As former Rams/Redskins coach George Allen used to say, “The Future is Now”.
A 2019 infield roster of Freese, Muncy, Seager, Turner, Machado and Kiki looks awfully nice to me. That infield coupled with the signing of a free-agent lefty reliever and the acquisition of a STUD starter for some trade package built around Wood, Maeda, Stripling, Verdugo, Taylor and prospects and Bellinger, Pederson, Puig and Toles in the outfield, would in my opinion, make us the team to beat in 2019.
I must say that I am somewhat in agreement with your comment.
I have zero doubt – absolutely none whatsoever or even slightly – that Corey Seager will be an absolute beast at shortstop. I’m talking perennial All-Star-caliber good. I watched this kid VERY closely in the minors and I am convinced that he will be among the best shortstops in Dodgers history.
He also brings a VERY powerful and effective left-handed bat to the team. Although only a four-year sample size, Seager has a career slash-line of: .302 / .372 / .494 / .866.
Machado’s seven-year career slash-line is: .282 / .335 / .487 / .822. Good luck in Tampa Bay, Manny. (jk).
Machado has also proven himself to be a cancer in the Dodgers clubhouse. And even though this may seem an intangible, it is very real.
I’m actually already liking the new Zaidi-less Andrew Friedman over the F&Z one. I also have tremendous respect for Jeff Kingston, whom the Dodgers absolutely stole from the Seattle Mariners to be their vice president and assistant general manager. I believe that this could prove be the best acquisition of the off-season.
I agree, It’s possible my favorite position player, Corey Seager, could go down among the best shortstops in Dodgers history. He is a very special talent and could hang at short long-term in the mold of Cal Ripken. I just don’t see any reason to rush Seager back to short or third in 2019 after Tommy John surgery. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Seager play some 1st base in 2019.
Corey’s “VERY powerful and effective left-handed bat” is his best attribute. Keeping that bat in the lineup is what’s most important. If the bat continues to produce, Seager will go down as one of the best players in Dodgers history, period. If he’s willing to play any of short, 2nd or 3rd and the Dodgers win a few Championships he will be a Dodgers legend and probably retire as a lifetime Dodger.
While I’d rather have Seager on my team than Machado, I’d like both. Of course, If Machado is truly a cancer in the clubhouse that’s a deal breaker. And if free-agent Machado isn’t willing to put team first by being willing to play multiple positions that is also a deal breaker.
The other stuff, failure to hustle (at times) is something I can forgive a 26 yr old Machado for, just like I can forgive a 23 yr old Bellinger.
The alleged “cheap shots”, I played a lot of first base and one of the first things I was taught was don’t put/leave your foot on the bag if you don’t want it stepped on. I always thought that was good advice.
The slide into second base during the playoffs, I didn’t think that was dirty at all, maybe a bad/dumb play, but not dirty.
While I pretty sure no one around here would agree, Chase Utley is also considered a dirty player by many MLB fans. Me, I’d love to sign a 26 year old Utley if he was available. Utley isn’t Machado is, what does he cost?
Are you thinking that we could be seeing some differences in the Dodgers style of play? Like maybe better baserunning, getting runners on base instead of swinging for the fences?
Do you know if there’s any available team stat for average runs per home run? I’m betting the Dodgers rate low on that. The only way I know to find it is to go through every box score (all 2432 of them). I’m not so sure I want to take that on.
The Red Sox beat the two teams with the most home runs (Dodgers and Yankees) on their way to the championship. Seems like it takes a bit more to go all the way.
“They” say that sometimes the trade you DON’T make is better than the one you do. And, not long ago, in this space didn’t we talk about waste-of-money contracts?
So, and it’s still early, I would hope that Friedman is being very careful. I hope he’s vetting the various players thoroughly and that the math computes. After all, it’s not like this team is woefully lacking in talent.
I believe the interest is mutual between Harper and the Dodgers, but the sticking point is contract length. IF Harper (and Boras) will go with a shorter term, high AAV then Dodgers have an excellent chance of signing him. But, if a team steps up and makes a “stupid offer” of 10+ years for $350+ then Harper will be wearing that teams uniform next season. Realmuto? Love to have him, but not for the prospects being reported as the asking price. Machado? At the time of the trade I thought there was an excellent chance that Dodgers would sign him as a FA, but then the disappointment of watching a such a talented player fail to “hustle” and later cheap-shot, bush leaguer plays completely turned me off. There are several fine players who would help the Dodgers besides the 3 mentioned.
Agree 100%.
^^^ Me too…..DAMMIT!
Manny is SO talented but really turned off a lot of people with his post season behavior and comments. Likely cost himself a LOT of money too.
I’d not want Harper over Puig in RF. I can’t think of ANYbody I’d prefer in RF but if it’s true he’s disgruntled, well then….goodbye I suppose.
I am more than OK if Dodgers open the season with Alex Verdugo in RF with Kiké backing him up. Guy I would like to see in RF for Dodgers is Mitch Haniger. Mariners have said they would have to be overwhelmed with an offer in order to trade Haniger, but he is a player worthy of a huge offer. Dodgers with excess starting pitching and outfielders with a deep, quality farm system are more than capable of making that deal and in the long run Haniger would be much more valuable than Realmuto, Harper, or Machado.
When you consider Haniger’s contract status (four years of team control) compared to the other three guys you listed, yes he might be much more valuable. In fact, his contract is probably one of the most valuable in MLB right now. Unfortunately, Haniger would require paying through the nose in trade assets. Harper costs lots of money and a first round draft pick, Machado only money.
Let’s not forget what wins championships, pitching, pitching, pitching. Our starting pitching is probably the top reason we don’t have two Championships right now. I’d rather see our trade assets used to acquire a STUD starter and/or lock down lefty reliever.
Noah Syndergaard with his contract status (three years of team control) would probably cost about the same as Haniger. Trevor Bauer’s contract (with his two years of team control) probably less. Let’s go this route.