November 17th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 After reviewing the 2020-21 free agent and trade markets for the Dodgers, and considering the comments from other Dodgers fans, here is the first mock of the 26-man, opening day roster for 2021. While the 2020 World Champion core group will return, there will undoubtedly be turnover on both the 40-man roster and the 26-man active roster.
There are currently 32-players on the Dodgers 40-man roster, including pitcher Caleb Ferguson, who will eventually be moved to the 60-day IL as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery. Additionally, two players may not be tendered 2021 contracts (non-tenders) before the December 2, 2020 deadline; pitcher Scott Alexander and outfielder Luke Raley. Alexander has underperformed for the last two seasons and was not included on either the 2019 or 2020 postseason rosters. The 26-year old Raley is another left hand hitting outfielder/first baseman among many in the Dodgers organization; look for both to be traded or non-tendered.
If you do the math, as many as eleven roster spots could be open on the Dodgers 40-man roster. The team will use seven of those slots to either re-sign or replace their own free agents: pitchers Pedro Baez, Jake McGee, Blake Treinen, and Alex Wood; and position players Kiké Hernandez, Joc Pederson, and Justin Turner – all of whom were on the World Series roster.
In addition, several of the 40-man roster openings will be used by the team to protect well-regarded prospects who would otherwise be available to teams in the 2020 MLB Rule 5 draft: pitchers Gerardo Carrillo, Edwin Uceta, Brett de Geus, Andre Jackson, middle infielder Omar Estevez, and outfielder Zach Reks. Trades before the draft could open additional roster spots, either prospects or veteran players like pitcher Dylan Floro or utility player Matt Beaty.
This mock roster projects the Dodgers re-signing third baseman Justin Turner and pitchers Jake McGee, Blake Treinen, and Alex Wood.
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Mock active roster for Opening Day 2021
Pitchers (14)
Starters: Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, David Price, and Julio Urias.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)
Relievers: Tony Gonsolin, Victor Gonzalez, Brusdar Graterol, Kenley Jansen, Joe Kelly, Adam Kolarek, Jake McGee, Treinen, and Wood.
The Dodgers will continue their practice of semi-regularly skipping normal start-days to limit regular-season innings pitched and injury issues (Buehler’s finger blister, Kershaw’s back, Price wrist/elbow/age), unofficially using a 6-man rotation. Rather than add another full-time starter, the team will use Gonsolin and Wood as spot starters; Graterol, and top prospect Josiah Gray and Mitchell White will also be called upon to start games during the season.
Catchers (2)
Austin Barnes and Will Smith.
The dynamic duo provided the Dodgers with terrific defense and offense from the catcher position in 2020. Smith is very athletic, with plus speed (he has played second and third base in the minors) and could be used at other positions during the season if highly regarded catching prospect Keibert Ruiz wins a roster spot in spring training.
Infielders (4)
Max Muncy, Corey Seager, Ha-Seong Kim, Justin Turner.
Turner will play third base, first base, second base, and designated hitter.
Dodgers will aggressively pursue the 25-year old, five-tool infielder from South Korea player Ha-Seong Kim to play second base, and backup shortstop. He not only provides a strong right-handed bat, with plus running speed, and Gold Glove fielding for the 2021 team, but he immediately becomes the heir apparent at shortstop if Corey Seager leaves via free agency after the 2021 season.
Andrew Friedman has said that he would like to add another right-handed bat to the roster. Should the Dodgers fail to sign Kim, their free-agent options are limited to utility players like Jonathan Schoop and Jurickson Profar. One intriguing option would be a blockbuster trade with the New York Yankees for middle infielder Gleyber Torres, but the cost would be high, perhaps both Gavin Lux and Edwin Rios.
Outfielders (3)
Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, AJ Pollock.
Bellinger and Betts are five tool players, and Pollock made a strong case in 2020 that he is more than a right handed platoon player in left field. Other than getting occasional games off for physical and mental health, this will be the regular outfield in 2021.
Utility (3)
Matt Beaty, Zach McKinstry, Edwin Rios, Chris Taylor.
Taylor will be a regular while playing second base, shortstop, and all three outfield positions. Rios will get his playing time at third base, first base, DH, and perhaps some left field. Beaty and McKinstry will compete in spring training for the last roster spot as a utility player and pinch hitter. McKinstry’s defense may be the determining factor.
Noticeably missing from the roster is the Dodgers’ best positional prospect, Gavin Lux. His 2020 performance was well below expectations. He will be given a chance to win a roster spot in Spring Training, perhaps as an outfielder if not second base. There is also the possibility that he could be traded (see above).
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That is the first mock roster for 2021. What do you think? What changes would you make, and why? Looking forward to hearing from you.
There will be revised predictions as we get deeper into this Hot Stove season and closer to the 2020 Winter Meetings.
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Posted in 
Excellent piece, Jesse. You clearly put a great deal of research and effort into it. Thanks!
I like the signing of Mcgee, JT and Treinen. Better to sign your own guys that you know well.
My only disagreement/differing opinio, though you really made a good point about earning a spot, would be regarding Gavin Lux. I think he will earn the opening day nod at second with super sub CT3 backing up everywhere and still get 400 at bats. Lux is too good a prospect to get down on him for last yr.
And again I’m not being critical in any way about the.points in the article, however just putting a slightly more positive spin on Lux.
If the Dodgers sign South Korean player Kim then Lux likely moves to the outfield, and backup at 2b and SS. I’m not sure what happened with Lux, but he never seemed to catch up with the other players after reporting late to Summer Camp. I have not given up on him, and certain that the Dodgers have not — but where he was previously an “untouchable” in trade, the team might listen to offers if they sign Kim. Or, if the Yankees would trade Gleyber Torres then Lux would have to be included in the package going back to NY.
Where Max Muncy? Traded or free agent?
Listed first under infielders.
Man gleybor torres would be so worth it 👍👍👍
Lux could be part of Lefty righty platoon in LF and CT3 could play 2b on an almost reg basis
If the Dodgers sign Kim then Taylor could play 4 or 5 games a week, all at different positions. Taylor also a free agent after next season, he is deserving of an extension
Thoughts on ARenado vs JT. rox’s would have to send money IMHO.
Also Bryant.
I’d rather have Arenado, better all around player, way better defensively. If he waves his option to be free agent plus Rox include money-back or include KJ intrade.
WHERE IS KIKI ISN’T HE SILL WITH THE TEAM HE WOULD BE MY NUMBER PLAYER TO FIX IN ALOL OF DIFFERENT POSITIONS FOR THE TEAM AS HE DID IN LAST YEAR GAMES FOR THE TEAM.
REGARDS
ROGER M.BARRON
Kiké Hernandez is now a free agent. And though there is zero doubt that Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers would love to have him back, it is entirely up to him (and his agent) whether or not he is willing to accept any offer (or counteroffer) made by Friedman.