Specifically, what is the impact to the Dodgers 2024 roster now that reliever Yency Almonte and infield prospect Michael Busch have been traded to the Chicago Cubs for a couple of young, talented prospects? 

While it may seem harsh, the truth is that trading Almonte was addition by subtraction for the Dodgers. Almonte was out of minor league options that limited the Dodgers flexibility in shuttling relievers back and forth to their Triple-A Oklahoma City team.

This isn’t to say Yency is not talented, he is. But the team’s 40-man roster is loaded with dominating, right-handed relievers and there are more in the developmental pipeline. A current free agent who could take Almonte’s roster spot is Ryan Brasier, who was a solid, late-inning reliever for the team in 2023.

First and foremost, Busch is a hitter. From the time he was drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2019 MLB entry draft, the team tried to convert him into a defensively passable second baseman, third baseman, or left fielder. But his natural position was first base, where he was considered to be a plus defender at the University of North Carolina (Baseball America scouting report). Bottom line: His days as a Dodger were numbered when the team signed Freddie Freeman through the 2027 season, agreed to a two-year extension with Max Muncy (with a third-year team option), signed Shohei Ohtani as their $700M DH, and re-signed Jason Heyward – all left-handed hitters.

Trading Busch does leave a hole in the Dodgers roster depth should injury or illness take outfielders James Outman and/or Heyward out of the lineup for an extended period. There is no ready-now lefty hitters in the Dodgers organization who can step into either of those roles. Look for the team to add one or two lefty-hitting veteran outfielder(s) as Spring Training Non-Roster Invitee(s) to compete for a backup role from OKC should the need arise, or sign current free agent switch-hitter Aaron Hicks (34), or left-handed swingers Tyler Naquin (33), Travis Jankowski (32), and David Dahl (29).

The Dodgers will have additional roster flexibility for backup roles when Spring Training officially opens, and they move right-handers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May to the 60-day IL. A third roster opening may also be created if outfielder Andy Pages has not fully recovered from labrum surgery on his left shoulder and goes on the extended IL. Bringing in several NRIs to compete for 2024 roster depth at minimal payroll cost makes sense as the team pursue the World Championship.

Next, we will consider the starting pitching depth.

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