What to Expect
Expect the Dodgers to lose at least one, probably two, possibly all three of their big free agents. This is definitely a case of hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
While the Dodgers have loads of salary coming off the books over the next two years, it’s clear that the front office has already made a concerted effort to reduce payroll. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
What would be bad is losing three of the team’s best players and not sufficiently replacing them. If Hill, Jansen and Turner are gone, those are three gaping holes that need to be filled. Put your money on filling them via trade rather than free agent signings.
The two teams that seem to match up best with the Dodgers are the Rays and the Tigers. Fans could be in for a long offseason, but a little faith should be placed in the Dodgers front office.
After all, they have delivered four straight division titles while constantly altering the roster. Just remember: it’s early December. The season doesn’t start for another four months, and teams that “win the offseason” often don’t carry that mantle onto the field.
