December 22nd, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka If you honestly believe that Friday’s blockbuster trade that sent popular Dodgers outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp, left-hander Alex Wood, and back-up catcher / utility infielder Kyle Farmer to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for veteran right-hander Homer Bailey (whom the Dodgers immediately released) and Reds top prospects Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray is the final move that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is planning to make this off-season, I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona that I’ll sell to you cheap.
Although the late afternoon trade news may have come as a complete surprise to some, it was fully expected by most; at least those who are / we’re aware of the plethora of outfielders on the Dodgers 25-man and 40-man rosters and in the high minors.
Although the loss of extremely popular and eccentric outfielder Yasiel Puig was most certainly the headliner of the early afternoon breaking trade news (based on the thousands of tweets posted by unhappy Dodger fans), it legitimately gives he, 13-year MLB veteran Matt Kemp, and most certainly little-used back-up catcher Kyle Farmer a much better opportunity to see more playing time than they did with Friedman’s and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ analytically-driven / match-up-happy methods. In fact, in Farmer’s case, he may now actually be used as a catcher; something that the Dodgers, for reasons that only Friedman and Roberts know, happened exactly four times since the extremely polite 28-year-old Atlanta, Georgia native and former Georgia Bulldog made his MLB debut on July 30, 2017. The trade also sets up the possibility that Farmer and fellow Georgia Bulldog Alex Wood may now actually play together as batterymates.
“We needed to make some moves in the outfield,” Friedman told reporters, shortly after the blockbuster trade was announced. “With [Max] Muncy coming on and [Cody] Bellinger moving more to the outfield, we had enough depth to field two starting outfields.
“It’s much more functional at this point,” Friedman added. “Having six-plus outfielders isn’t fair to anybody.”
But what absolutely jumps out at Dodger fans is that, aside from the very obvious (roughly) $16 million salary dump by the Dodgers, the Reds clearly won this trade.
…for now.
Although it probably won’t happen until after Christmas and more than likely after New Year’s Day, the Dodger are still very much in need of a starting catcher, additional starting and relief pitching, and are now in a better position to possibly … possibly make a run at Washington Nationals All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper, although doing so would put them right back into competitive balance tax threshold danger, which will be $206 million for the 2019 season, so there’s that to consider.
All of this being said, and based on Friedman’s history of being one of the best wheeler-dealers in the business, there is zero doubt that Friday afternoon’s blockbuster trade will not be the last for the Dodgers this off season.
…and you can take that to the bank.
Stay tuned…
Posted in 
“But what absolutely jumps out at Dodger fans is that, aside from the very obvious (roughly) $16 million salary dump by the Dodgers, the Reds clearly won this trade.
…for now.”
While it’s not the trade I would have made (Hate to see Puig leave and would have liked to expand it to include Tucker Barnhart, especially considering the Reds are rumored to be in on Grandal) its readily apparent the trade makes a lot of sense in many ways.
Other than Farmer all the other guys are expiring contracts. Expiring contracts are a rapidly diminishing asset except in the NBA. It’s now obvious, that MLB GM’s viewed these guys as having marginal value when considering their contracts and the Dodgers were not going to extend them. Converting these three guys for two “legitimate” prospects is a coup. Especially when EVERYBODY in baseball knew the Dodgers had to reduce the number of outfielders on the roster.
As stated, there is something else coming. What? That’s the big question, but we know we now have three 40 man roster spots open when we didn’t have any before. So roster flexibility, money flexibility and additional prospect trade assets. We are now set up for something BIG.
Although it’s not surprising what the Dodgers have done. Sort of expected Puig and Kemp weren’t going to be around much longer, it stands to reason there should be something big on the horizon. There better be.
This is really interesting, Dodgers need Rh bats now, Realmuto is in the horizon with Harper?
Now if Harper signs will he get 34?
One prediction down, two to go.
I think another outfielder (or two) has to go, if they sign Harper. Since obviously he isn’t going to platoon –and I think both Roberts/Friedman has said they hope Cody fixes his swing so he can play ever day. So, to fit Joc, Verdugo, Toles, Kike, Taylor into one OF spot… that’s rough even if they divide 2nd base between Kike and Taylor. This also presumes that Seager comes back at full strength.
I think maybe even more of the team will have a different look than I anticipated.
Can’t argue with needing to shed another outfielder or two if we sign Harper.
Four of our SIX outfielders are left handed hitters. Pederson has 2 yrs control, Toles 4 yrs control, Bellinger and Verdugo 5 yrs control. Our right handed very versatile outfielders, Kiki and Taylor both have 2 yrs of control. All are very good defenders.
Our cheap left handed hitting outfielders are more than adequate (at least against right handed pitching) and give us the financial flexibility to sign superstars elsewhere.
Unless we are getting a VERY good contract in years and price on Harper (especially since we’d lose our 31st pick in this years draft) he just doesn’t seem like a good fit or that he fills a big glaring need. Harper also has DH written all over him within the next few years. I just don’t see it.
What we really need is a big right-handed bat. Someone versatile and a good fielder, that fits Manny Machado to a tee. Looks like all his suitors are playing hardball with him and someone may get a bargain. Dodgers need to at least check in. I know, Machado steps on feet, doesn’t always hustle, but at least he has never nailed anyone in the ribs with a 95 MPH fastball.
Lastly, what was your “one prediction and what two to go”?
My three predictions were (in a prior post):
1. new outfielder
2. new catcher
3. Kluber and Urias in the rotation
For 2019, just suppose for a minute:
That Puig, Kemp and Grandahl hit the same numbers of homers as they did in 2018. (total 91)
That the Dodgers get Bryce Harper and he hits the same number that he hit in 2018. (total 34)
That the Dodgers continue to depend on home runs to win games.
Where’s those other 57 home runs going to come from?
Analyze that Dr Friedman.
Where the other homers would come from?
Who cares –as long as the offense is more consistent, less boom or bust, more able to drive in runs with two outs. I like homers as much as the next guy, but the Dodgers were too dependent on the long ball. Too many at bats were wasted because this team didn’t/couldn’t/wouldn’t make adjustments.
This new hitting coach the Dodgers hired sounds intriguing, given that he’s been credited for helping J.D. Martinez and Chris Taylor.
How about playing some real baseball, not depending on home runs?
You’ve likely noticed that the Red Sox beat the top two home run hitting teams in MLB en route to winning the World Series. Power alone will only get you so far.
Eventually Dodger management will figure out that sabermetrics is only part of the puzzle. How many more years though?
What’s the record for consecutive years losing the World Series?
I’d like to see a team stat for average runners on base per home run. I’m betting the Dodgers are near the bottom.
Well, as far as HR’s go, in the past 2 WS (12 games combined) the opponents out homered the Dodgers by a 23 to 16 count. Notice that Red Sox won game 5 and the WS by hitting 4 in that game. I agree about not relying solely on homers but lets’ not throw the big ones back because without those HR’s in the past 2 years by Dodgers, they don’t get deep in the PS.. The problem is that this pitching staff of ours serves up a lot of them so if one doesn’t want to see Dodgers hit that many they better not see their pitching giving them up like there’s no tomorrow.
I didn’t say, nor meant, that I had a problem with the number hit. Please read my last two sentences. That was my point. A whole bunch of solo home runs looks a lot more impressive than it is.
Bob, to that point of the many solo HR’s, I agree there. Amazing how they actually won games last year on those. I am not sure about the consecutive years losing the WS, but it may be 2. However Dodgers now have been in 20 WS and have lost 14 of them, the most of any MLB team in the history of the WS.
On a positive note: The Los Angeles Dodgers have won five of those six. Also five of the 14 losses.
I do think you’re right about two consecutive years losing the World Series. The Dodgers have done it twice in Los Angeles and once in Brooklyn. The New York Giants also lost in two consecutive years three times and the Yankees once.
But I just partially looked it up. The Detroit Tigers lost in three consecutive years, 1907-1909. I’m betting we all know who beat them in ’08.
I haven’t looked up the years 1969 to present (multi-tier playoffs) because it’ll take more time and it’s late. I’ll try to get to it tomorrow.
Finished checking. The Braves and Rangers can be added to the list of losing two consecutive years.
Tigers stand as the only team to lose the World Series three consecutive years, at least for now. They’ve held that dubious title almost as long as there’s been a World Series.
Wait a minute OC Fan, you must work for the U.S. Government Fiscal Responsibility Department. I count
Kemp, 21 HRs
Puig, 23 HRs
Grandal, 24 HRs
Total 68! Not 91.
I still do not believe they sign Harper. The Dodgers under Kasten and Friedman have not given a contract over 90 plus million. Its not in Kasten’s DNA. The 10 year deal would be fiscal suicide.
Harper is a BAD defender and has had injury issues. The Dodgers do not need Machado as Seager is back and he is at least as good as Machado. If they believe Muncy can play 2nd base we have a very potent infield offensively and let Verdugo and Toles fight for time. I personally would trade Pederson. I still think they trade another rotational starter to free up space as they have too many starters on the 25 man roster.
I have to agree, Dodgers would regret giving Harper a 10 yr contract. Harper has DH written all over him, at best he’s a mediocre left fielder in a few years. All that said, what about 5 yrs, $190-200M, with three yr opt out?
I also agree, Machado isn’t as good as Seager, but can’t we have both if the price is right? If Muncy goes to second, who plays first? Bellinger is our best centerfielder. Turner isn’t going to last forever and Machado is a gold glove third baseman and a right-handed masher. Again, what about 5 yrs, $190-200M, with three yr opt out?
Anybody else going to be pissed if Dodgers trade for Nicholas Castellanos to replace Puig? I sure will be.
Do not forget Toles barring his knee injury and then his hamstring problem was being forecast as a starter. He is a very good contact hitter with an speed & an incredible arm. Verdugo is also a solid on base guy with an incredible arm & Speed.
Jeter Downs the 2nd base/SS from the Reds is by all reports a very good player and has been playing in a league that averages two years younger than he is yet he hit well.
Gray by all reports has a great arm.
Trades with Farm Players must be examined 3-5 years out.
The Dodgers have a sophisticated scouting department. They must have really liked the two guys they received in the trade.
I truly do not believe as I stated before they get Harper or Pollock. Maybe Kluber but not Harper..
Tmaxter, Dodgers need NOT have an all LH hitting OF for one, because as it stands now Dodgers will already be very vulnerable to LHP. So I cannot see Toles AND Verdugo in the same OF along with Bellinger, if he’s in CF.. Honestly Muncy would be a defensive liability at 2nd and therefore that platooning will again take place. Muncy can be dealt IMHO so as to bring Bellinger back to 1st should Dodgers obtain another RH OF bat.
Midwest League players average 17-18 years old?