May 29th, 2020 at 9:00 am 
by 0799291000348 When Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training on February 13, 2020, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was focused on which 26 players would be on the active roster for Opening Day on March 26. Fine-tuning of the roster for the 2020 season stretch drive and playoffs would be effected closer to the July 31 trade deadline. Exactly one month later, Spring Training was suspended due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, thus turning Friedman’s operational planning into contingency planning.
As Major League Baseball and the Players Association continue to negotiate the terms under which teams will play an abbreviated 2020 season, Friedman and his MLB operations peers must now make plans to reopen a condensed Spring Training and then play a shortened regular season.
Factors that may impact MLB roster-planning are:
- A 30-player active roster (increased from 26), plus an unprecedented 20-player taxi-squad.
- The potential for playing several doubleheaders, with fewer off-days.
- Will the current moratorium on player movement from the 40-man rosters stay in effect for the season.
- If trades are permitted, will the in-season trade deadline remain July 31?
The Dodgers also have seven players eligible for free agency after the 2020 season (right fielder Mookie Betts, relief pitcher Pedro Baez, utility player Kiké Hernandez, outfielder Joc Pederson, relief pitcher Blake Treinen, third baseman Justin Turner and starting pitcher Alex Wood), and a $2 million 2021 team option on pitcher Jimmy Nelson. Betts is the only free agent certain to receive a qualifying offer (~$17.5M). Pederson is a possibility. Dodgers made Turner a qualifying offer in 2016 (which he rejected) and he is not eligible for another.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Taking these factors into consideration, along with any others you identify, what player moves should the Dodgers make to their 40-man roster?
- Upgrade left-handers in the bullpen (currently Scott Alexander, Caleb Ferguson, Victor Gonzalez, Adam Kolarek)?
- Trade-pending free agent(s) who will not be extended, or extended a qualifying offer?
- Add another right-handed hitter?
- Or…?
What changes do you think the team should make before the start of the shortened 2020 season?
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Keep doing what they have been doing. Friedman is ALWAYS looking to improve the team/roster, taking into consideration new virus rules, salaries, remaining years of control, etc.
Dodgers have a great 26 man roster for 2020, now they can rotate in and slowly acclimate their top minor league talent into MLB life with the 4 extra spots. One thing I’d definitely do with one of the extra spots, is get/add a base stealing specialist, it’d be nice to be able to manufacture a run when really needed.
I’m looking forward to seeing some young new guys get a chance to show their stuff and shine. All while the Dodgers cruise to a playoff spot.
Lets Play Ball.
As much as we all love him, signing JT to a longterm free agent contract would not be a wise move (IMHO). Although he still has bullets in his gun, he will be 36 in November.
Betts is going to ask for a tropical island chain, so I don’t see him being re-signed.
Joc is iffy – Should the Dodgers let him go, he could be the next Paul Konerko.
I’ve never been a huge Kiké fan, although he has a knack for coming up big in key situations; so, too, CT3. That said, they are both HUGE fan-favorites, and that’s something you can’t hang a price tag on.
Unless Alex Wood is willing to re-sign at a discount, I don’t see him coming back in 21.
As for Baez, I’ll hold the door for him on the way out.
I better quit while I’m ahead.
My thoughts: Adding the DH to the National League increases the chances for Turner to return. In addition to DH, he could be a part-timer at third, first, and occasionally second bases; but, he will have to take a cut from his current AAV ($16M) to make it work. I think the Dodgers will offer Betts as much money as any other team; whether or not he signs an extension will depend on whether he wants to remain a Dodger. I think you have nailed it on Joc — “iffy.” IF Joc will accept that he is a platoon player (playing 65% to 70% of time) with a commensurate contract, then I would love to see him remain a Dodger. But, the Dodgers would have to find a team to take AJ Pollock and his contract. I would much rather have Kiké or Taylor sharing left field with Pederson than Pollock. I agree with you about Wood. Unless Price and/or Urias are injured, I do not see Wood returning. I am not a fan of Baez; look for him to be traded – perhaps in a package for left handed bull pen guy like Brad Hand.
Pedro Baez was the best reliever on the team last season. Sign him.
Baez, so much talent but has yet to demonstrate that he has what it takes to pitch in high pressure situations. Last season he blew 6 of the 7 save opportunities. Dodgers will not make him a QO as a free agent; trade him. Perhaps he could be packaged along with an outfielder to the Indians for left hander Brad Hand?
I agree. It won’t take spot of money to sign Baez and he can be a great 6-8 inning pitcher.
I’m with you guys sign Baez, if the price is right.
Baez has filthy stuff and was VERY good in 2019, all at a $2.1M price tag and he looked to me to be becoming a pitcher instead of just a thrower.
That said, I’d trade him in a second in the “right” deal. He’s 32 yrs old and will cost $4M this year. I wouldn’t be resigning him to a long term deal expensive deal and neither will Andrew Freidman, but a two yr deal at around $8M for his age 33 and 34 seasons and he’s a keeper in my opinion.
If he can pitch like he did in 2019 in 2020 with that contract he’d also be a valuable trade asset.