January 21st, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 The development of talented baseball players into MLB players is normally a lengthy, and problematic process. Every level of advancement brings with it a larger challenge that more often than not ends the dreams for a vast majority of players. For those who persevere through the Triple-A level, the final transition to the Show is by far the most arduous. Many will become pigeon-holed as 4-A players, managing to stay on the periphery of the organization in hopes of winning a roster spot – looking to become a proverbial late bloomer.
According to the most recent prospect rankings (MLB Pipeline and Baseball America), the Dodgers have six of the top 100 prospects in the game: catcher Diego Cartaya (age 21), pitcher Bobby Miller (23), third baseman Miguel Vargas (23), second base/outfield Michael Busch (25), pitcher Ryan Pepiot (25), and pitcher Gavin Stone (24). The Pipeline includes a seventh Dodger, outfielder Andy Pages (22), in its ranking.
(MLB)
Vargas, Busch, Pepiot, and 25-year-old outfield prospect James Outman have nothing left to prove at Triple-A Oklahoma City (OKC); their time is now. The Dodgers should either play them, or trade them for current and future needs. While returning them to OKC as organization depth pieces may seem a good business decision for the team, it would likely reduce their prospect value and retard the players respective careers and earning potential.
The Dodgers are an aging team (in baseball years). During 2023, the following birthdays will be passed: Austin Barnes (34), Mookie Betts (31), Freddie Freeman (34), Daniel Hudson (36), Clayton Kershaw (35), J.D. Martinez (36), Max Muncy (33), Miguel Rojas (34), Chris Taylor (33), and Blake Treinen (35). It’s time to begin the transition to the next generation of Dodgers, whether they are current, internal prospects, or players who may be acquired through trades.
Vargas is a pure hitter, and as he matures physically he will add power! He is a legit three-tool player (hit, power, arm) who isn’t a great athlete and is below average defensively. In his words, “my best position is the batter’s box.” He is a hard worker and student of the game, perhaps he can develop into an adequate defender. The Dodgers will not make the same mistake with Vargas they made in 2016 when they traded the pure, young hitter Yordan Alvarez to the Houston Astros for reliever Josh Fields. If they trade Vargas, it will only be for a significant return (center fielder? shortstop? third baseman?).
Busch has been compared to Max Muncy (which is pretty darn good), but he is considered a better pure hitter who patiently waits for pitches he can drive. He is a good athlete and an adequate defender at second base and left field, but he could be blocked by Gavin Lux at second and he will be competing with other left-handed hitters Outman, and non-rostered invitees (NRI’s) Jason Heyward, Bradley Zimmer, and Steven Duggar for a place on the roster. Busch may be a Dodgers trade chip because of his talent and no defined place for him to play.
Outman is a superior athlete, with plus speed, arm, and outfield defense. He will be given the opportunity in Spring Training to demonstrate that he can provide consistent offense in order to platoon in center field with Chris Taylor/Trayce Thompson, or be the team’s fourth outfielder. Should Jason Heyward win a place on the Opening Day roster, Outman could be the trade chip instead of Busch.
The Dodgers have an abundance of talented, right-handed pitchers, and Pepiot is one of the best. The only area that keeps him from a spot in the starting rotation, or bullpen, is inconsistent command. His fastball and change-up are plus plus pitches, with a ML average slider – pitch movement is nasty – but if he cannot regularly command the location of those pitches he is likely a trade chip.
Keep ’em or trade ’em? What would you do, Dodgers fans, if you were sitting in the General Manager’s chair? Remember, you will have to justify your decision to your boss, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.
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Posted in 
Play them. It is time to find out what they can do. We can reassess at the All Star break and make trades before the deadline. The team does need to get younger.
That will work if Dodgers platoon in LF and CF; Vargas and Busch in LF, Taylor and Outman in CF. Either Hayward or Thompson in OF backup role. Occasionally Betts plays 2b with Lux at SS; Vargas gives Muncy an occasional day off at third, and Busch gets a few games at second. By mid season Pages could be ready if help is needed in OF.
Can’t wait to see the new guys play.
These guys will showcase the next 10 year run. Exciting
It appears to me that Michael Busch is the odd man out. I have no idea what should be done with him because he looks like a DH. Perhaps another team could use him (first base?) and the Dodgers could package him with another player or players to secure one of the several positions that the Dodgers seem “weak” on.
Check back tomorrow for an article that addresses that very point (amongst others)
I cast my vote for the youth movement as well. Although, as a finance guy, I’m thinking package Busch with Taylor and get under the cap.
I like that idea Cid. Might take another prospect or two with Busch to unload Taylors contract.
There is plenty of time to get under the threshold as team is less than $5M over at this time. Unless the Dodgers can get good value for Taylor now it may be better to wait until the trade deadline.
I am in the minority here.
1-I really don’t care about Ohtani.
2-Urias and Buehler should be our priority.
3-If CT3 returns to his 2020and 2021 form there is no need to trade him.
4-I didn’t think we would sign Trea, Correa or the new Pads shortstop at the numbers and yrs with these contracts.
5-Build the staff around Urias Buehler Stone Miller Pepiot May. CK will eventually retire.
My first attempt to reply never posted, so here is the Reader’s Digest version.
Love to have Ohtani, he basically allows a team to carry an extra pitcher or hitter.
Urias will be the team’s highest priority, but represented by Boras — OUCH.
We will not know how effective Buehler will be until he actually starts pitching from a mound.
Dodgers will not trade Taylor unless it first acquires a legit, regular CF’er
I wanted TT back, but he was never going to finish his career with a West Coast team,
Apologize for the “never posted” thing. Checked our system and found nothing askew.
No problem at all –perhaps the cyber gods were sending me a message that I needed to write less
A while ago, JP commented that he’s ready for the season to start, couldn’t agree more. After the debacle of a playoff last year, it’s been a long winter. Just a couple of quick comments, one, agree would love to have Ohtani next year. You get two for one so I suppose 50,000,000+ is worth it. Two, I think that Boris is the “he who shall not be mentioned” name in the world of baseball. I think personally he is a detriment to the game. Three, I love CT3 and his all-around hustle, but for 15 million a year I wish he would cut down on the strikeouts. Finally, looking at the numbers between Trea Turner and Corey Seager, Turner was less expensive and something the Dodgers needed more, but it’s true, he never was really going to stay on the West Coast, wish we could have kept Seager, he was home grown talent. Counting down the dog days of winter……….
Really good point about the ending to last season — has made the off season seem like forever. Losing Corey Seager to the Rangers was awful. I would not be surprised if Friedman is regretful over the decision to let him walk — I am reminded of Friedman’s own words “If you’re always rational about every free agent, you will finish third on every free agent.” Words that should haunt Friedman.
I don’t think there will be any regret in 3-4 years when Seager and Turner are past their prime and in decline but still have 5 years to go on their contracts.
I think we will regret the Mookie deal in its last years as well. Contracts beyond 5-6 years and age 35 are just not smart business. Better to pay a higher AAV for a shorter term.
I think it depends on the players age when they sign a long term contract. Corey just finished is age 28 season. Other than injury, there is no reason why he cannot remain a high quality MLB player for the next 6 seasons (likely moving to third base at some point, then first base and/or DH). The calculation of CBT using AAV motivates most teams to extend contracts while inflation makes future years salaries less of an issue. The way the game is evolving, teams that will not offer longer term contracts will be left behind for the best players. For example, if the Dodgers are not prepared to offer Julio Urias more than a five or six year contract he will be pitching elsewhere in 2024 and beyond. He will be 27 when he enters free agency — I think he will get at least seven year contract offers.
Urias will probably get a little more than Rodon.
Remember CT3 makes less than 15 the rest of the contract. The important part is that he bounces back.
We are all in agreement on these contracts are too long.
ESPN says we have 9 of the top101 prospects. At least 5 or 6 of those guys should be decent major league players. Let’s find out.
All great points here. It’s nice to see a lot of likeminded educated Dodger fans. It reminds me of the old TBLA days. In Friedman I trust. He has earned it, and his actions and words show he is more focused on the 3 eyed approach than any other GM. I’m concerned about how well AA has locked up the young talent in ATL. We lost a lot of executive talent watching Farhan & AA go to some of our top NL competition. While Preller and SD continue to spend I’m not as concerned about their prospects despite their current roster proposing the the biggest current threat. He wiped out their farm and their chemistry will play out much differently than LA, ATL & SF to a lesser degree. People already made the points about Seager and Trea. I still want to share I was deeply sad to see each go. Seager homegrown and was my favorite player having watched him drafted in 2012 on my cell, and pin pointed Trea as my favorite non Dodger back in 2017 The Show. Let’s see if Gavin is up to the challenge. The prospect pedigree is there and so are the bloodlines. I’d love him to make a huge jump this year on both sides of the ball. Brian Reynolds price is likely to be unreasonable in a prospect package despite having the chips to pull it off. I don’t want to part with Bobby Miller to make it happen, but Busch, Pepiot and others I would for that SH CF in the lineup. Do we have a gameplan for closer? Or is Graterol ready? He has the gall and chops so we will see. Early prediction is Thor makes the AS and comeback player of the year. Give Urias what he wants and Walker will come back strong or at least I hope he will. Miguel Vargas is going to be a stud year 2 and beyond. Let the young guns play! How blessed are, who truly truly bleed blue, to be able to call Legends like Koufax and Kershaw our own.
Great post
Second that! Miller is untouchable. Closer? Phillips? For the heat, I would love Graterol, but for some reason it doesn’t translate to outs.
Every point – spot on!