January 21st, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 If Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and company are not shopping at the equivalent of Cartier, Saks, or Niemann Marcus and are definitely staying away from Rodeo Drive, where might they be looking to round out their 2019 roster?
Looking for a right-handed outfield bat to platoon with Joc Pederson in left field? On-line shopping finds switch hitter Robbie Grossman looking for work. His defensive stats last year with the Minnesota Twins ranked close to those of Cody Bellinger and he hits left-handed pitching exceptionally well (.325 / .438 / .444 / .882 in 2018).
What about a super utility guy who can play second base, shortstop, third base, and left field (first base too, but the Dodgers are currently loaded at that position)? Marwin Gonzalez for second base (and to backup Corey Seager at short) would be a nice add for Dodgers without moving the payroll past the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) threshold in 2019.
Another right-handed reliever? Adam Warren and Hunter Strickland are currently looking for jobs and a chance to bounce back to previous years’ performances. Shawn Kelley is looking for another year or two in the Bigs.
A left-handed reliever so that left-hander Caleb Ferguson can return to a starting role? Jake Diekman is looking to get over the nightmare of pitching for the Diamondbacks, or Southern California native Justin Wilson – both of whom can still light up the radar gun.
Are there any other relatively low-cost players who could pique the interest of a bargain shopper? The “Help Wanted” sign has been hung at Dodger Stadium.
* * * * *
Posted in 
Good stuff, Jesse!!
Sucks that a market like LA has to bargain shop but of the ones mentioned I would mind Gonzalez and Wilson.
With free agents (through their agents) demanding absolutely insane contracts, I suspect that we will see more of this type of thing, at least until there is a restructuring of the free agent process … which will come after the strike.
It’s a post that *suggests* bargain shopping, not the team’s actual practice. Joe Kelly didn’t come cheap, did he?
However, I keep repeating that the team (aka Friedman) might have his hands tied by the owners wanting to save money. I’ve read other pieces that suggest the tax penalty isn’t THAT bad, but these people obviously have no problem spending other people’s money. The Dodgers have been spending over the de facto cap for years now and I did read that the owners took on serious debt to buy the team. Again, they might think they have a pretty good team and want to reset their balance sheet.
We all know Friedman can dumpster dive with the best of them.
We can count on numerous minor league deals with major league camp invites, but how much more “rounding out” of the roster is needed?
Starting pitching, we’re set unless there’s a deal for quality.
Relief pitching, yeah Friedman will be shopping at Dollar Tree or worse and he just might find a diamond.
Infield, Marwin Gonzalez? He’d be good, but he’s at least the Swiss Army Knife section of Home Depot.
Outfield, Robbie Grossman? Bad fielder with little power, even if it’s clearance time at Salvation Army, I don’t see someone like him getting a VERY valuable (to Dodgers) 25 man roster spot. Now if Friedman is trying to furnish the Oklahoma City home, OK.
With Rodeo Drive, so close to Dodger Stadium, let’s hope Friedman does at least a little window shopping there.
Cameron Maybin is looking good to me, now.
Not getting Kluber will hurt the Dodgers next year in the playoffs. Shopping at the dollar store while Yankees and other World Series hopefuls signed difference makeras. Not a good off season so far for Dodgers. Not feeling very confident for next season. None of these guys excite me. Tired fo the platoon method. Won’t win a ring.
Nothing wrong with looking for bargains (relatively speaking), sometimes a little cleanup and tweaking turns up a gem. But, if you are expecting to compete with teams that continue to purchase the upscale models you can expect lesser performance.
I disagree with you and Danny. I believe that the Dodgers already have all of the pieces they need to not only make it seven-in-a-row and three-in-a-row, but to also win the 2019 World Series.
These kids are only going to get better, especially with Seager back in the line-up.
I’m not saying or suggesting that Friedman should sit idle for the remainder of the off-season (or at the trade deadline), but I like this team’s chances for a three-peat as is.
What I DO agree with Danny about is the platooning thing based entirely on analytics/sabermetrics … but you guys already knew that. In my opinion THIS is what cost the Dodgers two consecutive World Series titles.
Fire away.
No doubt a healthy Seager will go a long way toward a WS championship. But it isn’t realistic to expect Seager, Verdugo, and Martin to replace the runs produced in 2018 by Grandal, Kemp, Puig, Machado, and Dozier. Right now the defense should be improved, including catcher, and certainly possible that Bellinger, Taylor, Hernandez, and others have better offensive years. But I don’t see players like Pollock, or Harrison, or Marte (who are currently rumored to be on Dodgers radar) making a significant difference. IMO the Dodgers need one, legit, middle of the batting order hitter.
I can say SPOT ON to your final sentence above. Legit impact player for middle of order.
I’ve always agreed with you on that platoon thing. Sometimes it is necessary, but every player should get a chance to show what he can do before making such a decision.
I would really like to see Andrew Toles get a fair shot this year. He had earned the everyday LF job before tearing his ACL (UCL? I can’t keep those things straight). Remember the way he tore it, trying for an impossible play to save Julio’s no-hitter. Gotta like a guy like that.
Ron, I am not yet convinced Dodgers have all the necessary pieces to make another WS run. But it’s also how the team is managed and I would guess almost everyone would agree that the excessive platooning won’t get the job done when it counts the most. Correct about what that platooning did as far as the WS goes.
👍👊✋
As Yogi said “it ain’t over till it’s over”. Hard to criticize when you don’t have a crystal ball as to what the front office is thinking.right now we should get more offense from all 4 infield positions-hopefully full seasons from all 4.
Can the tandem of Russell Martin and A Barnes produce 50 runs(Grandal 60 rbi- his 10 runs given back from his poor defense). Then if it’s Pollock in Rf can he give us what Puig did. bells in cf all yr and Verdugo Toles make up for the loss in Lf..the jury is out.
If we signed Pollock he most likely would start in CF. correct as far what perhaps Dodgers may be thinking now cause the off season still has time to run here. Jury is out but I doubt if both Verdugo and Toles will end up in the OF at the same time playing daily.
The dodgers with Andrew Friedman are the cheapest organization all they want is to collect
Middle of the order hitter? Seager, Turner, Muncy, Bellinger isn’t a bad 2-5. Sure another right handed hitter would be nice after Muncy, but who? Harper would be great, but unlikely. Machado would fit the lineup but cram the infield. And either salary ain’t ideal. The Marlins are looking for redemption with a Realmuto deal after whiffing so badly when they gutted their team last year. Castellanos is sort of a fit, but with 1 year of control it’s hard to justify the prospect cost unless it’s on par with the Martin deal. Kluber would be nice, but 4 of top 10 prospect list is a lot of cheap future production to gamble on Klubot sustaining his excellence for 3 more years. My guess is they wait till next year, after 2 teams blow their wads on Harper and Machado. Goldschmidt, Arenado, Boagarts could all fit, and balance the linueup. My 25 cents.
Spot on analyses! Castellanos for one year (although Dodgers could re-sign him for LF, or 1b) would be a great fit in the middle of Dodgers lineup. Yes, his RF defense is really bad (I think he was the worst defensive OF’er in MLB who was a regular) but his reputation is a very hard worker, great guy in the clubhouse, and a drive to be better. Dodgers could move him to LF with Verdugo in RF. What would it take to acquire him? I think Joc Pederson along prospects Ed Rios and Brock Stewart (or similar prospects) would get Castellanos.
That’s what we need, another first baseman!
Dodger Front Office STOP BEING CHEAP! I read today the you’re interest in Marte, please. Make that move! He’s younger and healthier than Pollock, Also, make a move and get some pitchers (no bargain bin type) go ahead and sign Machado! Put him at 3rd, move Turner to first. Finally you’ll have balanced lefty/righty hitting!
Marte the PED cheater — no thanks!
You get what you pay for. Seems the Dodgers look for guys with injury records. They can expect 60-65 percent of a season from Pollack. They kill the competition by signing Kluber. Three aces if all stay healthy would be hard to beat. Had they not given away Puig they would either have had a powerful right handed bat, with speed, good defense and a laser beam arm or a trading chip to help them get Kluber. Of course they would have to pay Puig or see him go somewhere else soon, but they would get something out of it either way. As it is, the Dodgers have been giving away the kingdom. Maybe win their division because the other teams are also weaker. Beyond that, we’ll see. But at least we are getting good bargains at the 99-Cent Store. Frustrated.
Agree 100% about Pollock! Love to have Kluber, but not at the reported asking price (Indians looking for a deal equivalent to what the Chisox received for Chris Sale which included Boston’s top position prospect, its top pitching prospect, along with a good OF and a good pitching prospect). Cleveland at the time was looking to reduce payroll and Puig was projected to be paid around the same amount as Kluber’s 2019 AAV.
Time is a wastin!!!!!! We need a right-handed bat with pop, and another starter in case one of guys goes down. The names I hear bantered about as possible additions to the club, do nothing for me. Its time for one of the wealthiest clubs to step forward, procure what is needed, and work toward the WS ring we have not seen in over 30 years.
How many position players are the Dodgers going to carry? 12 or 13?
Current Roster
Barnes
Martin
Freese
Turner
Muncy
Seager
Bellinger
Hernandez
Taylor
Pederson
Verdugo
Toles
We only have three slick fielding 2nd baseman, shortstop types, Seager, Hernandez and Taylor. Two of those guys are going to be playing a lot of outifield, a little depth in case of injury would be nice. Seems like the righthanded masher better be a middle infielder. Only one free-agent I can think of, fits the bill.
Oh course, You could also add Castellanos if you traded Pederson straight up for him.
Dodgers may have to add Ed Rios, or Brock Stewart type prospect along with Pederson, but that would be OK. Machado? Dodgers can work around the CBT threshold by trading Hill, the bigger question is what position does Machado play. Roberts said yesterday that Seager is 100% to start spring training, so he is the regular SS.
Dodgers, value positional versatility and Seager and Machado can probably play any infield position. I’d like to think that those two players would welcome the chance and challenge to show their value by playing multiple positions on a World Championship team.
The three infield guys that really need to be in the lineup every inning possible would be Machado, Seager and Turner. That’s three of many combinations of the four infield positions with Muncy, Taylor, Hernandez, Freese and Bellinger mixing and matching into the fourth infield position.
Lastly, I am not putting much faith in Seager being ready for shortstop by opening day. January talk is cheap, I’ll believe it when I see it. We know Dodgers will take it very easy with Seager and they should.
All fair points, and I agree that Dodgers will likely be very cautious with Corey at SS, but I remember Seager bristling at the talk of him playing any other position than SS. At most the SS is called upon to make a dozen hard throws to 1b in a game, so if he is healthy Seager will want, and expect to be the regular SS. Muncy could be the odd man out, either moving to LF, or 2b with a defensive replacement later in games, and Turner moving to 1b that would actually prolong his career.
With some other roster moves (trading Hill and Pederson) for players not arbitration eligible and/or prospects, the Dodges could have both Realmuto and Machado. Talk about a formidable lineup.
Trading Hill or Ryu (in season) are possibilities. But I’d like to think not necessary. As long as they stay under $246M in 2019, one year of luxury tax shouldn’t be a problem. I know, easy for me to say.
Dodgers are in very good financial position in 2020 and 2021. Lots of young, good and cheap players moving up with Ryu, Hill, Bailey dropping off after 2019 and Turner after 2020. Should be an exciting time for Dodger prospects with lots of opportunity. Work hard and move up.
Friedman gets a lot of criticism, but I think he has done an AMAZING job as GM.
I agree with you about going past the CBT threshold ($206MM) this season, but I am starting to believe that has become a hard cap dictated by the ownership. Why? Is Guggenheim getting ready to sell the team? We know its business is financial based, not operating a baseball team — when they get the right offer ($3B?) they will sell the Dodgers. Right now, according to Baseball Reference Cots Baseball Contracts, the Dodgers are just about $19.3MM below the 2019 CBT threshold. Trading Hill (and replacing him with Urias) and Pederson saves another $21MM, so it can easily afford Machado and Realmuto.
All very good points!
Just remember this time last year people were talking about Ryu dropping off after 2018. Some were hoping he would.
I, for one, am glad he’s still there.
Of course Bailey is a sure thing. I still think it’s likely Hill won’t start the season with the Dodgers.