November 3rd, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 The Dodgers are faced with the daunting task of renovating their 40-man roster for the 2023 season while reducing a recent level of payroll spending that President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has admitted to being unsustainable. With free agency, team options, possible non-tenders, and Walker Buehler‘s 2023 rehab, there are 17 roster spots in question for next season.
Whether retaining their own free agents (notably starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Anderson, and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner), or pursuing other teams’ high-profile free agents, the team will undoubtedly participate in that market. The Dodgers have also been successful by signing fringe players to minor league contracts and inviting them to Spring Training to compete for a place on the roster.
(Ron Cervenka)
The Dodgers will also look for high profile prospects Bobby Miller (starting pitcher) and Michael Busch (infielder/outfielder) to join their cohorts Michael Grove (pitcher), Andre Jackson (pitcher), Ryan Pepiot (pitcher), James Outman (outfielder), and Miguel Vargas (infielder/outfielder) to make the team younger, less expensive, and competitive.
The trade market will be another source for the Dodgers to retool the roster, but the current roster is not robust with veteran trade capital. Never say never, but it is extremely unlikely that the team will trade outfielder Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, catcher Will Smith, or pitchers Dustin May and Julio Urías. Pitchers Tony Gonsolin and Ryan Pepiot would only be dealt for a significant pitching staff upgrade. Similarly, utility infielders Max Muncy or Gavin Lux will only be traded for a significant enhancement to the roster.
(Fox Sports)
Players who the Dodgers may be motivated to trade:
- Phil Bickford (relief pitcher) – No remaining minor league options, resulting in full season guaranteed contract.
- Justin Bruihl (relief pitcher) – A borderline ML pitcher whose roster spot may be needed for staff upgrade and/or to add another prospect to the roster.
- Caleb Ferguson (relief pitcher) – A change of teams may be in order for Ferguson after openly expressing his frustration with the Dodgers over his Tommy John recovery process and what he termed “jerked around” and “miscommunication.” He was left off the team’s playoff roster.
- Edwin Ríos (infielder/outfielder) – Left-handed hitter will be 29 years old at start of 2023 season and his best position is designated hitter. With left-handed hitters Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, and James Outman on the roster, and Michael Busch ready to contribute, Ríos is a trade candidate.
Are there any high-profile prospects that the Dodgers consider untouchable in trades?
Never say never, but trading 21-year-old catcher Diego Cartaya seems improbable unless the Dodgers receive a significant star player(s) in return. Similarly, 23-year-old right-handed power starting pitcher Bobby Miller isn’t likely to be traded. Miguel Vargas is already on the ML roster, only 22 years old, and considered to be an exceptional right-handed hitter who is also unlikely to be used in a trade.
But, the Dodgers minor league system is loaded with talent and other teams, particularly those teams that are rebuilding, will covet the Dodgers plethora of highly-regarded prospects, particularly catchers and pitchers. If the Dodgers make a significant trade, look for some of their lower level prospects to be included in the package.
Which players may the Dodgers target in trades before the start of the 2023 season? That will be our next topic.
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The most frustrating thing of all is that the best team in all of baseball is currently watching the 2022 World Series on television instead of being in it.
Exactly!
What gets me is that the wild card
Was made for a team that didn’t win their division but had a better record than another division winner. Like the Dodgers in 2021. That’s what the wild card corrects.
A 5th wild card was bad enough, but a 6th wild card is rediculous. Wild card teams should get no home games in any series they play. That would make winning the division more important.
Next yr the Dodgers goal should be 95 wins, develop the young players and stay healthy.
As my wife states: You aren’t wrong.
What the Dodgers desperately need is pitching. Why isn’t anyone
talking about that? They also lost because they have no pitching. On top of not making any runs. Hitters we ha e but they need to show up when it counts too. Not just rely on one or two hitters. Frustrating!!. Wake up Dodgers spend money that you have and buy pitchers!!
Very good question, one that we plan to discuss when we consider the free agent market and Dodgers possible trade targets. Kershaw’s playing decision will have an impact on the Dodgers pitching needs, as will Tyler Anderson’s free agency decision. Do the Dodgers believe that Ryan Pepiot will command the strike zone well enough to be a 4th or 5th starter? What about Michael Grove? Can he start, relieve, or is he part of the team’s trade capital. Dustin May will be 100% for spring training, and top pitching prospect Bobby Miller will be ready at some point in 2023 for a spot in the starting rotation. And Gavin Stone has demonstrated that he is one of the best prospects in the Dodgers system, moving through 3 levels (Hi A, AA, and AAA) last season with microscopic ERA’s (1.44 at Great Lakes, 1.60 at Tulsa, and 1.16 for OKC) while striking out 168 hitters in 122 IP. No doubt the Dodgers will pursue more pitching (“you can never have too much pitching) but state of the staff is quite good right now.
Bauer will be available when/if his suspension is reduced to one year.
Good catch!!! That has become a never ending story. I too think his suspension will be reduced to one year or less. There is no reason for him to exercise his $15M buyout and walk away from guaranteed $32M. Interesting topic for a future piece — thanks.