December 17th, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Adding Noah Syndergaard to the starting rotation was a terrific move by the Dodgers! From the beginning of 2022-23 free agency, Thor to the Dodgers made perfect sense for him and for the team. A talented athlete who is still in his athletic prime is joining the team considered by many to be the top MLB organization for developing pitching prospects and revitalizing careers of veteran hurlers.
(Baseball Reference)
When the 30-year-old pitcher’s signing became official on Friday evening, the Dodgers 40-man roster was at its maximum. However, by no means should this be taken as a sign that the team has completed the retooling of their 2023 roster. Significant work remains in the weeks ahead to assemble the 26-man cadre of players who will compete for the 2023 NL pennant and World Series trophy.
One of the immediate hurdles for the Dodgers front office is their a full 40-man roster that includes three pitchers (relievers J.P. Feyereisen and Blake Treinen, and starter Walker Buehler) who are unlikely to throw a competitive pitch for the Dodgers until 2024. However, under an archaic MLB rule, those pitchers cannot be moved to the 60-day IL (thereby opening three roster spots) until the opening of 2023 Spring Training.
For now, the only way the Dodgers can add Major League players to their roster is to trade or Designate for Assignment (DFA) currently rostered player(s) while balancing payroll dollars to avoid Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) penalties. DFA candidates include relief pitchers Justin Bruihl, Jake Reed, and recently acquired infielder Yonny Hernández. The Dodgers sign a free agent and they can immediately open a roster spot. Payroll? Another hurdle.
Trades are a whole other ball game (pun intended). As Dodgers fans are painfully aware, the methodical approach of the team can be excruciatingly slow. Further complicating the process with payroll restrictions adds another significant hurdle to completing trades. While the Dodgers could sign All-Star Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson and remain below the CBT threshold, the return of soon-to-be (on January 17) 32-year-old right-hander Trevor Bauer from the restricted list back to active payroll status would be an unacceptable payroll outcome.
How the Dodgers finish retooling the roster is TBD, but it will likely involve trading from their deep pool of prospects for lower cost veterans who can immediately be complementary pieces in the team’s pursuit of the 2023 World Championship.
Whether it is Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames, and/or New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, the cost in Dodgers prospects will be painfully consequential — yet worth the price if the 2023 World Champion banner flies over Dodger Stadium in 2024.
But, don’t count out the Dodgers from signing Swanson and platooning their prospects in left and center fields. Trevor Bauer? Not sure how, but you can bet that Andrew Friedman will find a way to make it all work and stay within the payroll budget.
He always does.
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Dodgers should go after Drury. Pitching is not our main weakness right now. Not really a weakness at all. Drury would be a good fit. And some insurance if the kids struggle.
For same money and length of contract, would you rather have Drury or Justin Turner? Another option, who would likely be cheaper than either one — Brian Anderson (ex Miami Marlins)
Drury is more versatile than Turner or Anderson. That is a tough one. If I had to choose one, I would go with Drury.
My ranking: 1 – JT (best hitter of the group and his clubhouse leadership is huge), Brian Anderson (when healthy he has put up very good offensive numbers in a pitcher friendly home ball park — before last season, he was the best all around fielder of the group, including third base and corner outfield spots), Drury last as his offensive stats skewed by playing in AZ and Cinn. Brian Anderson would be the least expensive contract.
Great points Jesse. We need to get one of them. You’ve got me rethinking Anderson.
Well, Swanson off the board. Going to Cubs. 7years/$177M full no trade. I never thought the Dodgers were really in on him.
I thought Swanson was last on the Dodgers list for SS, but better than leaving the position entirely in the hands of Lux, Taylor, and Amaya. What we thought might be an issue this off season has become a reality — the Dodgers are going to stay below the $233M payroll CBT threshold.
Dodgers signed JD Martinez.
Primarily a DH but a great hitter.
Friedman is betting on Martinez to have a bounce back season. His offense last season was very similar to Justin Turner, but he is a huge liability defensively. Hoping for the best as he is now a Dodger. Dodgers signed Bradley Zimmer to a minor league contract — a terrific defensive CF’er who hasn’t hit a lick in the majors.