Up until Wednesday morning the furthest extent of notable activity this offseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers was re-signing veteran infielder Chase Utley to a one-year contract.
The Dodgers agreement with Hisashi Iwakuma feel apart after a failed physical.
Iwakuma then re-signed with the Seattle Mariners late Thursday evening.
Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings came and went with the Dodgers’ most notable headline was a failed trade for Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman.
Coupled with Zack Greinke bolting for Arizona and Johnny Cueto opting for San Francisco, Los Angeles has hardly been the belle at the ball.
With the losses mounting, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and his front office have come under fire. Sitting idly by with a perceived endless budget has done but incite the masses and elicit more claims Friedman’s group is operating with a “small-market” mindset.
The Dodgers’ three-team trade that netted them prospects Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson doused some of the flames — thought they’re sure to ignite once again if Los Angeles fails to add a No. 2 starter to the rotation.
While Wednesday’s trade might just as well have been more about the Dodgers’ future than the present, Friedman said he is cognizant of the expectations tied to next season, according to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
Friedman on fans reax to #Dodgers winter: "I totally get fans reaction of wanting more and being impatient. I totally get that mindset" cont
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) December 16, 2015
#Dodgers Friedman: "But it's our job to not react emotionally." Cites decision at trade deadline in July not to move Seager/Urias
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) December 16, 2015
#Dodgers Friedman: "I don't expect fans to say 'Oh great, this really makes us strong in 2017, 2018.' But once we get to those years …
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) December 16, 2015
#Dodgers Friedman cont: "… our fans are going to be very happy with those decisions." At same time, still focused on making 2016 strong
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) December 16, 2015
Last season the Dodgers won a third consecutive National League West division title for the first time in franchise history. They also posted a third straight season with at least 90 wins for the first time since 1976-78.
However, a World Series title continues to evade them. The Dodgers head into next season with a rookie manager in Dave Roberts, and expectations to keep up with the Joneses that are the Diamondbacks and Giants.
Los Angeles will look to build on their recent run of success potentially with one, two or all three of Johnson, Montas and Thompson contributing, or with a player or players acquired in a deal that involved parting with the newly-acquired prospects.
