Now that the World Series is complete and managerial search is full-go, a busy offseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers has begun to unravel.
After a manager is hired, the front office will have decisions to make on several free agents. Without further ado, let’s analyze which players the Dodgers may look to bring back for the 2016 season.
Free Agents:
Brett Anderson: Inking a one-year deal last offseason, Anderson logged over 175 innings for the first time since 2009. His numbers were respectable across the board: 3.69 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 3.51 xFIP, including an MLB-best 66.3 ground ball percentage.
He was roughed up in his only postseason start, but overall, the Dodgers have to be pleased on what Anderson contributed over the course of the year.
Prediction: Anderson is in line for a multiyear deal, but it likely won’t come from Los Angeles. It’s a buyer’s market for starting pitchers this offseason, with many quality arms such as Johnny Cueto, David Price, and Jordan Zimmermann being available, so there are plenty of options with higher upside to choose from.
If the Dodgers give Anderson the one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer and he signs with another club, they’ll receive a supplementary first round draft pick in next year’s draft.
Howie Kendrick: In his debut season with the Dodgers, Kendrick was one of the more consistent offensive players in the lineup, posting a solid .295/.336/.409 batting line in 495 plate appearances (117 games).
Prediction: Kendrick is by far the best second baseman on the market, and he’ll undoubtedly have plenty of suitors. He’s 32 years old and still has a few seasons left in his prime, but the Dodgers likely won’t overpay for an aging middle infielder.
Particularly with a glut of in-house candidates to replace Kendrick that feature Kiké Hernandez, Jose Peraza, and even Justin Turner. Kendrick will certainly receive a qualifying offer, which could net the Dodgers a draft pick should he sign somewhere else.
Jimmy Rollins: The longtime Philadelphia Phillies shortstop joined the Dodgers in a trade last offseason, hoping to solidify the shortstop position after Hanley Ramirez departed for Boston.
While Rollins brought leadership and quality defense to the club, he posted the worst offensive season of his career, batting .224/.285/.358 in 563 plate appearances.
Prediction: Rollins turns 37 in a few weeks and appears to be one-and-done in Los Angeles. Rookie phenom Corey Seager took over the starting job in September, put up impressive numbers and demonstrated he can handle the position defensively.
Potential Free Agents:
Bronson Arroyo: The 38-year-old journeyman was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a hectic 13-player trade last July, but never threw a pitch for the Dodgers as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
Prediction: This is an easy decision. The club holds a $13 million option for him next season, but will almost certainly buy him out for $4.5 million, making Arroyo a free agent.
While the club needs pitching depth, Arroyo isn’t the answer because of his age and recent performance.
CONTINUE READING: Zack Greinke And More Dodgers Free Agent Scenarios
Zack Greinke: After posting the lowest ERA by a starting pitcher since 1995, Greinke opted out of his contract Wednesday and becomes one of the most highly sought-after free agents of the offseason.
He had three years and $71 million remaining on his current deal and will easily exceed that by testing the market in free agency despite being 32 years old.
While it isn’t a slam dunk that Greinke returns to Los Angeles, he’s spoke highly of the organization on multiple occasions.
Prediction: Even though Greinke is on the wrong side of 30, the Dodgers will ultimately decide to bring him back, as similar pitchers who rely on movement and control rather than velocity tend to still be very productive towards the latter part of their careers.
And if Greinke chooses to sign elsewhere, he will gain the Dodgers a draft pick from the qualifying offer he receives.
J.P. Howell: One of the more consistent relievers in the Dodgers bullpen, Howell enjoyed another great season by posting a 1.43 ERA and 3.34 FIP in 44 innings.
He holds a player option worth $6.25 million for 2016, but could likely find a multiyear deal somewhere else if he chooses to enter free agency.
Prediction: Howell does in fact become a free agent and signs with another team. He turns 33 next April and it would be hard-pressed for the Dodgers to bring back an aging reliever when their goal is to get younger.
Joel Peralta: Turning 40 in March, the well-traveled middle reliever put up a 4.34 ERA and 5.00 FIP in just 29 innings during his first season in Los Angeles.
The team holds a cheap $2.5 million option for him in 2016, but it’s still unknown if they’ll bring him back.
Prediction: Peralta has stated he plans to pitch next season, but it will likely be elsewhere. Despite his affordable option, there are younger and better alternatives on the free agent market that the Dodgers could replace him with.
Chase Utley: Acquired in mid-August from the Phillies, Utley stabilized the second base position while Kendrick was on the disabled list.
In 34 games, he slashed a weak .202/.291/.363 (81 OPS+) but displayed above average defense according to various advanced metrics.
When Kendrick returned to the lineup, Utley occasionally found playing time at third base and first base, improving his versatility on the field. For the most part, though, he received the bulk of his plate appearances as a pinch-hitter.
The overall numbers were disappointing, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Dodgers bring him back for another season. While his team option (estimated to be between $5-11 million) will certainly be declined, he could still hypothetically re-sign with the team for much less.
At this point of his career, the Southern California native isn’t an everyday player anymore and could accept a full-time utility role in 2016. It’s also worth noting that Utley’s clubhouse locker was directly next to Seager’s, so perhaps he could take on a mentoring role as well.
Prediction: As the Dodgers hope to get younger next season, it wouldn’t fit the plan to bring back Utley. With Kendrick and Ben Zobrist on the market and the possibility of trades, the Dodgers will have plenty of options to choose from when determining their second baseman for next season.
They also have several in-house candidates, such as Hernandez and Peraza who could step up for the job.