December 11th, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka As the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings approach the halfway point, the blockbuster trade that many Dodger fans were hoping for or perhaps even expecting hasn’t happened … not yet, at least. And judging by what Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said when asked if he was feeling any pressure to make a deal before the Winter Meetings conclude on Thursday, it might not happen at all.
“The pressure we feel is to make a splash in October more so than December,” Friedman told reporters during his Winter Meetings’ State of the Dodgers press conference on Monday night at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
But what the Dodgers top executive did acknowledge is pretty much what he acknowledged last Friday before the Winter Meetings even began; that adding a catcher to replace now free agent Yasmani Grandal to split time behind the plate with Austin Barnes is still a priority, and that it will more than likely come from the outside of the organization and not from within, while Dodgers top catching prospects Will Smith and Keibert Ruiz continue in their development.
“I think adding someone from the outside is a clear area where we can augment the team,” Friedman said”
Friedman also reiterated their desire to acquire bullpen help and perhaps even adding another starter to their left-handed-heavy rotation. In fact, earlier in the day it was rumored that the Dodgers we’re still very much in on Cleveland Indians two-time Cy Young award-winning right-hander Corey Kluber. The big difference this time, however, is that it was Dodgers number one overall ranked prospect outfielder Alex Verdugo‘s name being tossed around instead of Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig‘s. And while this may have come as encouraging news for Puig fans, and there are many, it undoubtedly came as disappointing news for Verdugo fans (ditto).
When asked if there was any truth to this rumor, Friedman answered with a typical Andrew Friedman non-answer that allowed a great deal of room to read between the lines.
“Alex Verdugo is one of those outfielders in the Dodgers logjam,” Friedman answered. “After two years in Triple-A plus short stints in the majors – turns 23 in May – he’s done everything he possibly can to show he’s more than ready for a lot of playing time at the major league level.”
Noticeably missing from Friedman’s answer is where that “playing time at the major league level” might be.
All of this being said, it’s hard not to get the feeling that something big is about to come down involving the Dodgers, although exactly what that might be is anyone’s guess.
Then again, it is December and not October.
No pressure here.
Play Ball!
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If we are to believe Friedman (all MLB executives mislead during the Winter Meetings) I think Dodgers will acquire a catcher for one year rather than give up a package of prospects/players for Realmuto.
I also believe that what Marlins may demand for Realmuto will be excessively high. And that leads to getting a catcher from the outside as a stop gap to accompany Barnes is what most likely takes place. A late inning reliable BP piece is another top priority as well.
Always a good idea to keep your cards close to your chest both in poker and MLB winter meetings.
I’m sure Friedman has many irons on the stove. Maybe he’s just laying the groundwork for a massive blockbuster with Cleveland later this winter. Both Friedman and the Dodgers need a Championship in 2019. We are perfectly positioned to fortify our core roster with EVERYTHING we need to get it done.
The Friedman regime has done an excellent job of controlling information. Frustrating at times for fans starving for any information they can glean from comments, but excellent business practice.
Not counting Seager’s return, at least one-third of the starting position lineup in 2019 will be different, I predict:
–new catcher
–new right/left fielder
–new second baseman
Dare I predict two-fifths of the starting rotation will be different as well:
–Kershaw
–Buehler
–Ryu
–Kluber (?)
–Urias (?)
One third of the position lineup is different most every day.
I like Julio’s name in the rotation. I think it’s his time. Who ever thought that Walker would be a fixture in the rotation before him?
I like Kluber, just don’t want to see age catching up to him. The team options in ’20 & ’21 are good, especially if we get all three years.
What about Maeda?
Per Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts (via the LA Times’ Jorge Castillo on Twitter), righty Kenta Maeda will begin next season in the Dodger rotation. Maeda, 30, was yo-yoed between the bullpen and rotation last year despite mostly excellent (10.62 K/9, 3.30 FIP) results as a starter. His contract, which includes a series of incentive bonuses for each additional 10 IP after reaching the 90-inning plateau for a season, plus $1MM each for making his 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, and 32nd starts of the year, may have been a factor, though the club’ll be hard-pressed to again limit the Japanese hurler if he reprises his dominance from a season ago.
Me, I have Maeda going to Cleveland as part of my mega blockbuster. With Kluber, Bauer and Hand coming to LA
Bob,
Obviously by “different” I mean new faces in new places, not simply a platoon lineup.
It looks like all us Puig fans should prepare ourselves for his departure, if not at this Winter Meetings some time after. I wish him luck, in his future, whenever the time comes.
I guess it’s time for us Puig fans to prepare ourselves for his departure either during these Winter Meetings or sometime soon after. I wish him luck when the time comes.
Sorry about the similar comment. For some reason the first one didn’t come out immediately
Sorry about that, Joe. We had some server issues this morning. It appears to be ok now.
Sorry for similar comment. For some reason the first didn’t show up at first.