December 20th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 With the additions of two-way player Shohei Ohtani, starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, and outfielder Manuel Margot to the Dodgers roster, the team’s projected 2024 Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) payroll is approximately $255M (Fangraphs). Considering the team continues to pursue upgrades to the starting rotation and possibly a position player, or two, the final CBT payroll could approach $297M with a tax bill in the $40M range.
Since the Dodgers have exceeded the CBT thresholds for three consecutive seasons, they are in the unenviable position as maximum taxpayers for 2024. For every payroll dollar spent between $277M and $297M, the Dodgers tax rate will be 95%. In effect, the $12M AAV for each of third baseman Max Muncy and Margot would be equivalent to $23.4M when the team tax is included for super utility player Chris Taylor, $29.25M.
(Ron Cervenka)
The Dodgers did not invest $73M in AAV for Ohtani and Glasnow with the intent of being frugal as they fill out the remainder of the roster. Free Agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto alone could add another $25M to $30M to the payroll. Taxes will not deter the organizational pursuit of the 2024 World Championship, but the Dodgers executives are very sharp businesspeople who will not foolishly spend money.
So, there may be some tough roster decisions looming for Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and General Manager Brandon Gomes:
- Will they look for less expensive roster options than Margot, Muncy, and Taylor?
- Will they retain the veterans and use the top prospects to further strengthen the roster?
- Are Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas ready to be everyday players at third base or the outfield?
- Will outfielder Andy Pages and/or infielder Trey Sweeney be ready to contribute after the 2024 All Star break?
Friedman recently said of utility infielder/designated hitter Busch: “He showed very clearly that he doesn’t belong in Triple A, that he’s a major-league player.” Whether Busch will be a major league player for the Dodgers, or another team is to be determined.
Will the Dodgers trade Muncy and rely on Busch or Vargas at third base?
Not likely, but never say never.
Muncy would be a desirable trade target for the Toronto Blue Jays who lost third baseman Matt Chapman to free agency and are searching for a left-handed power hitter. The ideal trade for the Dodgers would be Muncy and Gavin Lux for shortstop Bo Bichette. First reaction is that Blue Jays say no, but a closer look at stats and contract length makes this a good deal for both teams.
One intriguing player who has regularly been mentioned as a Dodgers trade target is Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds. The Pirates have continued to rebuff trade efforts for Reynolds, signing him to a very team friendly contract ($13.3M) through 2030. Could this be the year that the Dodgers make an offer for the All-Star outfielder that the Pirates cannot refuse? If Vargas is not going to supplant Muncy at third base or be the Dodgers regular left fielder, then including him in a package with Andy Pages, and pitchers Michael Grove and pitching prospect Gavin Stone might put Reynolds in Dodgers Blue.
Vargas and Stone could also be the key pieces in a trade with the Washington Nationals for right-handed hitting outfielder Lane Thomas, who consistently crushes southpaw pitching.
What changes to the roster will the Dodgers make in the coming weeks? To be determined.
What trades do you think the team should make before the start of Spring Training?
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Posted in 
I think if we can obtain the switch hitting Reynolds to play LF and bat 6th, we could be more than set with our lineup. Although I hate trading Busch, Vargas and Stone to get him. That could get the job done. We might have to throw in another low level prospect but that will really balance our lineup. Getting YY would be amazing for this year and years to come. Our team will be a juggernaut.
We are on the same page. Reynolds makes too much sense for the Dodgers going forward to hold back on a package of upper level prospects. If Yamamoto is overwhelmed by another team’s offer then the Dodgers could/should move on to left hander Shota Imanaga who would also make sense for the starting rotation
Oh man, it just KILLS to think of losing both Vargas AND Busch. I truly wonder if it’s possible for Lux to regain the speed and range he once had before his injury and it’s probably not a good bet.
As for Muncy and CT that will also hurt if they are traded but they have given the Dodgers a lot to be proud of but they’ve made personal fortunes – in both cases after being thrown on the scrap heap by other teams – and won rings. If it happens I’m sure Dodgers fans will wish them nothing but the best as they travel down the same road that true Dodgers core players JT, Kike, Cody and yes, Corey have gone down. Pretty much a complete changing of the guard.
In no way and for no reason do you give away talent like that for “Bryan Reynolds”.
Here is my thought process. First, Reynolds has proven himself as an above average offensive and defensive LF’er who is signed to a team friendly, long term contract. Opportunity cost will be expensive when you get value in return — you have to give up something to get something. The best defensive position for both Vargas and Busch is first base and neither player has yet to demonstrate that he can consistently hit ML pitching. I believe that the next group of prospects are better than Vargas and Busch: in particular Andy Pages and Dalton Rushing who could be the Dodgers next right and left fielders.
Rushing is a C and 1B. Why would you project him as a future starting OF?
I would not be bothered if Muncy and Taylor were traddd to make room for Vargas and Busch to play 3B/LF.
My thinking about Rushing moving to the OF. The Dodgers are loaded with quality catchers: Will Smith is in his prime and under team control through 2025, and a likely extension candidate. Diego Cartaya had a down year in 2022, but the tools have not changed and he is still a top prospect behind the plate. Thayron Liranzo was an organizational All Star catcher last season, and there are Hunter Feduccia and Yenier Fernandez. From what I have read, Rushing is a good athlete with a plus arm — moving him to LF would get his bat in the lineup sooner. Regarding Busch and Vargas, how the Dodgers value them is the huge question. Dodgers handed second base to Vargas and he was awful at the plate and in the field. Busch scouting report fielding evaluation has him as a 20 on the 80 scale. I have only seen Busch in LF a couple of times, but Vargas looked completely lost out there. Bottom line, I think Rushing is the higher potential prospect and LF would be a good move for him and the Dodgers.
I agree. If Vargas struggles just a little bit offensively, he has zero trade value. Same with Syone. In my opinion, both are MAJOR disappointments. They still have value, and they could rebound. As far as Busch goes, I love his swing, he has good power, and has really cut down down on his strikeouts. He has as much upside as any player we have… but, he bats left handed and his position is DH and 1B… obviously not gonna happen. We need another solid outfielder more than a starting pitcher. Personally, I think we might have to include another pitcher like maybe Bryan Hudson…
Grrrrr..Gavin Stone…not Syone. And the reference of 4 for 1, including Hudson to get Reynolds.
Why not keep Busch and let him back up at 3B 2B 1B and fill in for guys who might get hurt. If Lux cant play SS then Rojas will play SS and LUX LF?????.
Maybe have Vargas play 3B and LF in triple A then if he can do it successfully
then bring him up at the all star break.
Margot will be solid. Hopefully Outman makes more contact as a sophmore player
reverse jinx.
Can add at the trade deadline.
Regarding Busch, I think it is time to either play him or trade him. His trade value as a minor league prospect will never be higher and the biggest problem is where to play him defensively. He is 26 (27 next November) — unless the Dodgers are ready to make him a regular in LF or 3b, he should be traded IMO. Vargas is in a similar position as Busch, only younger (24). Long range, I think Lux to LF makes a lot of sense, but Rojas (or Taylor) as the regular SS is not ideal. I hope you’re right about Margot, but I don’t share your confidence.
Yahmamato
Buehler
Glasnow
All healthy all aces. Miller another ACE???
Great team Lets Go Dodgers
AMEN!
Here’s the legitimate 13 man pitching staff
Almonte, Buehler, Ferguson, Glasnow, Graterol, Kelly, Miller, Phillips, Sheehan, Treinan, Vesia, Yamamoto, Yarbrough…. And at this time Fryereisen, Grove, Hurt, Knack, and Stone are arguably worthy of being in the bigs… Then May and if they sign Kershaw could be back by mid season. What gives ??? I’m thinking Almonte might be waived to make room for Grove or Stone.. One more thought.. If we use a 6 man rotation, which is probably a good idea, I think they should line up Sheehan as #3 and Grove or Stone as #6… Thereby avoiding our two most inexperienced starters pitchers starting consecutively… That will help the bullpen. I still am hoping to see us pick up a power hitting corner outfielder.
Like your 13 man pitching staff but I think Sheehan will be in OKC as a starter. Will not be surprised if NRI Daniel Hudson earns a sport in bull pen during ST. When healthy his is a dominant reliever. Rumors persist that Dodgers are looking for a shortstop upgrade — could/would they move Lux to LF?