December 28th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 * * *
Déjà vu: A feeling of having already experienced the present situation; tedious familiarity.
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Dodgers fans bemoan the lack of activity by the Dodgers in preparation for the 2020 season. The team’s only significant move was signing free-agent closer Blake Treinen, who had a rough 2019 season for the Oakland A’s, saving 16 games, but an ERA that ballooned to 4.91 as he pitched through multiple injuries.
Rumors started in November that the Dodgers would sign free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole, the 2019 AL Cy Young award-winning pitcher, or third baseman Anthony Rendon, who was instrumental in the Washington Nationals knocking the Dodgers out of the 2019 playoffs. There were rumors of a blockbuster trade that would bring Red Sox right fielder to Los Angeles, but the 2019 Winter Meetings were humdrum with no discernible activity by Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.
December 28, 2020 – déjà vu
Dodgers fans are left searching baseball blogs for any morsel of information on the Dodgers plans for the 2020 roster. The only notable* roster move was the trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for ex-closer Corey Knebel who missed the 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and pitched to a 6.08 ERA in 2020.
Rumors began in November that the team would sign free agent Trevor Bauer, the 2020 NL Cy Young award-winning pitcher, or third baseman DJ LeMahieu, or closer Liam Hendriks. There were also rumors of a blockbuster trade for one of: Francisco Lindor, Nolan Arenado, or Blake Snell.** The 2020 Winter Meetings were conducted virtually with little to no news reported. Sound familiar?
January 2020
January 15, 2020 – Dodgers sign free agent pitcher Alex Wood
February 9, 2020 – Angels back out of a trade for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling that would have sent three prospects to the Dodgers.
February 10, 2020 – Dodgers trade outfielder Alex Verdugo, middle infield prospect Jeter Downs, and infield/catching prospect Connor Wong to the Boston Red Sox for All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts and starting pitcher David Price.
February 10, 2020 – Dodgers trade pitcher Kenta Maeda and catching prospect Jair Camargo to the Minnesota Twins for pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol, and outfielder/infielder Luke Raley.
January 2021 – TBD
If the past is any indication, the Dodgers will have a busy January. Indeed, there is no other option as the team looks to re-sign (or replace) veteran third baseman Justin Turner, Pederson, utility player Kiké Hernández, and relievers Pedro Baez and Jake McGee, as they round out the roster before players report to spring training in February.
The Dodgers may be waiting on Justin Turner, and/or South Korean infielder Ha-Seong Kim*** to make their signing decisions before making other position player roster moves.
Re-signing Turner settles third base, taking the team out of the trade market for that position — at least for 2021. Reportedly, there are several other teams interested in signing Turner, so a decision may not come until the first or second week of January. Another bit of déjà vu? Turner was on vacation in December 2016 (to attend Kenley Jansen’s wedding in Curacao) when he agreed to re-sign with the Dodgers. Turner is currently on vacation.
Adding Kim would give the Dodgers another right-handed bat, speed, gold glove quality defense at second base, and backing up shortstop and third base. He was posted by his KBO team, the Kiwoom Heroes, on December 7, 2020, and has until January 6, 2021 to make his decision. He is being pursued by several MLB teams and reportedly has five multi-year contract offers in-hand. In December 2012, the Dodgers signed another KBO star – Hyun-jin Ryu – just hours before the negotiating window closed. Déjà vu with Ha-Seong Kim?
In 2016, the Dodgers re-signed bothTurner and Jansen to multi-year contracts. Adding Turner and Kim in 2021 may not be déjà vu, but it would be a terrific move for the team’s roster.
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* Other acquisitions include minor league contracts for several players including Tim Federowicz, Jimmy Nelson, James Pazos, and Brock Stewart.
** Late Sunday evening it was reported – and confirmed – that the San Diego Padres had signed Blake Snell.
*** In the early morning hours of December 28, 2020, this appeared on Twitter:
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Posted in 
Jesse
Padres have thrown down the Gauntlet. Time for the Dodgers to move. Suarez and Sonnie Gray for Ruiz Gonsolin and two lower prospects. OR JT and KimHa Swing announced soon. Still need a closer.
The Suarez deal can result in Urias becoming the closer with a rotation of Buehler Ck Gray Price and May.
Keep those thoughts — I am working on a piece where Dodgers fans take on the role of Friedman and tell us how they would improve the roster.
Good stuff, Jesse.
I have a (sort of) KBO connection – Joseph Kim (@blackwings2011 on Twitter) – who thinks Ha-Seong Kim (no relation) will sign with Toronto or Texas, with St. Louis as a long shot. He DOES NOT think it will be with the Dodgers.
I hope Joseph Kim is not too disappointed when Kim becomes a Dodger 🙂
Would the Dodgers pivot to Suarez and Gray if JT asks for 3 yrs 75 mil for his retirement contract?
If Turner’s demands are too high (anything above $16M AAV) I believe Suarez would be a terrific replacement.
Just read (MLBTR) that Padres are front runner for Kim; $7-$8M AAV for less than six years. I think the Dodgers will go $10M and 5 years.
Jesse
What do you think of Suarez and Gray to the Dodgers with Urias becoming the Closer.?
I am not a big fan of Sonny Gray for the Dodgers. And, I think Urias will be an unhappy camper if not in a starting role. I like Suarez (if Turner is not going to return). What about a block buster trade with the Reds? Dodgers acquire Suarez, starting pitcher Luis Castillo, and utility player Nick Senzel; Reds get Edwin Rios, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, and Chris Taylor?
Padres sign Kim, I was hoping. I like your trade Jesse, would hate to see Urias go but I like it.
I am disappointed that Kim will not be a Dodger, but I trust Friedman — I have no doubt that if the Dodgers had wanted Kim they would have found a way to better the Padres offer. Dodgers will find their RH bat elsewhere, perhaps with the Reds Suarez. One of the reasons I like Suarez is that he is athletic and can also play 2b (a little SS in a pinch) so it doesn’t preclude Turner from also returning. Always good to hear from you 1439!
Where are the Padres getting all of the funds to upgrade? Are they making moves that will make them better for years to come, or are these moves that resemble how the Yankees and Red – Sox make that will need another infusion of wealth in the near future to stay competitive?
Plus – Why are the Dodgers bringing in new ownership with all of the money they receive from the progress of the Dodgers as a product?
Are they too cash strapped without the new infusion of money to stay competitive?
The Phillies are in need of a catcher, yet instead of Ruiz, we give them a low cost 1st baseman in return for a kid with maybe less then 10 big league pitches thrown, in a 3 way trade with another team that just gave away their ace…
Could this be a – Hey since I have you on the phone moment?