As we continue to consider the 2020-21 MLB free-agent market for the Dodgers, we review team needs relative to the available relievers and infielders.

First, a quick summary of the Dodgers current bullpen roster.

• Pedro Baez, Jake McGee, Blake Treinen, and Alex Wood are free agents.
• Caleb Ferguson will miss the 2021 season as he rehabilitates from Tommy John surgery.
• Left-hander Scott Alexander pitched only 12.1 innings in 2020 and was not included on any postseason roster (2019 or 2020); he is more likely a non-tender candidate than a 2021 reliever.
• If Alexander is non-tendered, the Dodgers will have only World Series Game-6 winner Victor Gonzalez and Adam Kolarek on the roster as experienced left-handed relievers.
• Well regarded rookie Dennis Santana was hit often and hard in his 17 IP in 2020. He, too, was left off all postseason rosters.
• Rookies Josh Sborz (4.1 IP) and Mitchell White (3 IP) pitched well in limited opportunities. Neither pitcher was included on postseason rosters.
• Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen faltered to the point of losing the closer role. Notably, Julio Urias closed out Game-6 of the World Series victory as Jansen sat in the Dodgers bullpen.

Restructuring the 2021 bullpen should be at the top of the Dodgers to-do list, including at least one additional left-handed reliever, and a late-inning setup pitcher who can also close.

Left Handed Reliever(s)

Brad Hand seems to check all the boxes for the Dodgers bullpen: left-handed, closer experience, and three-time All-Star. He does not blow away hitters with an overpowering fastball, he now relies on a plus slider and curve, throwing them more than 50% of the time. But, there is a large, red-flag blowing in the free-agent wind. With Hand’s resume, why did the Cleveland Indians decline his team friendly $10 million option for 2021? Exercising the option, then trading Hand would seem to make more sense, even if the return is only a lower-level prospect. Equally concerning, why did the other 29 MLB teams, including the Dodgers, fail to make a waiver claim for the 30-year old pitcher?

Another lefty the Dodgers should pursue is 31-year old Drew Smyly, who would replace Alex Wood in the bullpen. He can spot start when needed but is a much better reliever than a starter. MLB Trade Rumors is predicting that Smyly will re-sign with the San Francisco Giants for $5 million. The Dodgers can do better than that by offering a two-year deal, perhaps an option year that vests on games and innings pitched.

Right Handed Reliever(s)

If the Dodgers add another starting pitcher through free agency or trade, there is not a high degree of need to add a right-handed reliever, as the Dodgers would have Dylan Floro, Tony Gonsolin, Brusdar Graterol, Joe Kelly, and Jansen, backed up by Brett de Geus, Josiah Gray, Santana, Sborz, and White. However, if the Dodgers want an upgrade over Floro or Santana, there are several good but more expensive options.

Blake Treinen could be re-signed, or the team could pursue Shane Greene, Trevor May, Garrett Richards, Trevor Rosenthal, or Kirby Yates; the last three with different levels of injury concerns.

Ideally, the Dodgers would sign a healthy Brad Hand, Drew Smyly, and replace Floro with Trevor May. Hand’s AAV will likely be lower than Treinen’s 2020 salary, Smyly a little higher than Wood, and Trevor May offset by Baez’s 2020 salary and trading, or non-tendering Scott Alexander, and Dylan Floro.

If Hand is not healthy, or signs elsewhere, then re-sign Jake McGee, and Blake Treinen.

Infielders

No need to beat around the bush, if the Dodgers re-sign Justin Turner, the need to pursue a ready-now infielder in free agency is eliminated – and I believe that Turner will be a Dodger in 2021.

There is one free-agent infielder who the Dodgers should sign: 25-year old shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who will be posted by his South Korean team this year. He has been playing professionally since he was 18 years old, so he qualifies as a professional free-agent rather than an amateur. The 5’-9” Kim had a breakout season in 2019, slashing .307/.389/.491/.880, with 19 home runs and 104 RBI. In 2020, he improved to .308/.399/526/.926, with 30 home runs and 109 RBI. He has won South Korea’s equivalent of the Gold Glove for his fielding while stealing 56 bases in 62 attempts. Considering that shortstop Corey Seager and utility infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor will be eligible for free agency after the 2021 season, signing Kim makes sense for the Dodgers.

What do you think, Dodgers fans? Which free-agent players should the Dodgers sign for the 2021 season?

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