While most of the offseason’s heavy-lifting has been completed, the Los Angeles Dodgers still have some work to do to round out the 40-man roster for the 2017 season.
After re-signing the three major internal free agents, the club’s biggest remaining need is finding a solution to the woes against left-handed pitching from a year ago.
Acquiring Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier appeared to be the most logical move, as he would have filled a giant vacancy at second base while providing elite offense, but the two teams thus far have been unable agree on the complete prospect package going back to Minnesota.
A future trade for Dozier shouldn’t be ruled out completely, whether later this offseason or closer to the non-waiver trade deadline, because of the extensive framework done by both teams.
But with those talks at an impasse for now, the Dodgers need to explore all other options, whether it’s finding an alternative second baseman or adding to the outfield mix, which president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman alluded to.
CONTINUE READING: Upgrades via potential trade
Trades
Ryan Braun: Among the options listed below, Braun might be the most attainable upgrade for the Dodgers.
Last Aug. 31 — the waiver trade deadline — Los Angeles was reportedly minutes away from acquiring the Milwaukee Brewers star in a blockbuster deal involving Yasiel Puig.
Many expected the two clubs to revisit those talks during the offseason, but there hasn’t been any traction to date.
With Dozier likely out of the picture, the Dodgers could be forced to improve their offense with another outfielder despite already having an abundance of options.
Braun, 33, is coming off his most productive season since 2012. He was among the league leaders in nearly every offensive category against left-handed pitching and wasn’t an atrocity on the defensive side either.
The Southern California native earns 10-5 rights in May, which could motivate the Brewers to trade him sooner rather than later. Braun can currently approve trades to just six clubs — the Dodgers being one.
The main issue with Braun is his hefty contract; he is owed $72 million over the next four seasons.
However, the Dodgers can offset a large chunk of that salary by including Scott Kazmir or Brandon McCarthy in the deal. In fact, the proposed trade from August reportedly included McCarthy going back to Milwaukee, in addition to Puig and two prospects.
If the Dodgers can’t find a suitable upgrade at second base, circling back to Braun could very well be the answer.
Andrew McCutchen: The longtime Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder has been considerably mentioned in trade rumors this offseason after enduring the worst campaign of his career in 2016.
McCutchen was nearly dealt to the Washington Nationals at the Winter Meetings, but the club opted to acquire Adam Eaton from the Chicago White Sox instead — at an exorbitant price nonetheless.
The Nationals unloaded multiple top prospects to trade for Eaton, and the Pirates are asking for a similar package for their star player. The difference: Eaton has a maximum of five years of control, while McCutchen can become a free agent in 2017 (if his 2018 option isn’t picked up).
And while McCutchen has an excellent track record, he registered a negative WAR for the first time in his career in 2016 and is hovering around the wrong side of 30.
Though he rebounded offensively in the second half, McCutchen’s defense continued slipping in center field, which will likely lead to a position change to left field this season.
If Pittsburgh is willing to lower their asking price, however, McCutchen would be an interesting buy-low candidate for the Dodgers.
Ian Kinsler and/or J.D. Martinez: It’s been a relatively quiet winter for the Detroit Tigers despite general manager Al Avila stating at the end of last season that changes would be coming to his club.
Prior to the Winter Meetings, Kinsler was the primary second baseman being connected to the Dodgers in trade rumors — and it seemed like a perfect match on paper.
In addition to his all-around offensive game, Kinsler consistently ranks at the top in defensive metrics among second basemen and is often lauded for the leadership he provides in the clubhouse.
What’s more, he’s under contract for just two more seasons at a reasonable salary and wouldn’t handcuff the Dodgers financially in the long-term.
However, the Dodgers are one of six teams on Kinsler’s no-trade list, and he would only approve a trade to such a club if approached with a contract extension.
It’s highly unlikely Los Angeles would abide to that demand, as Kinsler would be entering his late-30s at the beginning of any new deal — not to mention that top prospect Willie Calhoun will soon be waiting in the wings.
Kinsler’s teammate, Martinez, can play either corner outfield spot and is a much more viable option given that he is scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the 2017 season and won’t cost as much in terms of prospects.
The Dodgers and rival San Francisco Giants have shown varying degrees of interest in Martinez this offseason, but trade talks never reached a serious level.
Martinez would certainly impact any club’s lineup, but the Tigers seem content with standing pat and giving it one more go with their current group of players.
Logan Forsythe: Like the Tigers, the Tampa Bay Rays haven’t shown a willingness to trade from their group of core players this offseason. While they’ve held on to Chris Archer and Evan Longoria, among others, they’ve also added Wilson Ramos and Colby Rasmus during free agency — indicating they intend to contend next season.
Forsythe would be a natural fit on the Dodgers, given his positional versatility, ability to hit left-handed pitching and connection to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
But with the current price for cost-efficient players and the fact that the Rays are attempting to compete in 2017, a deal for Forsythe appears more likely at the non-waiver trade deadline if Tampa Bay is looking up in the standings.
CONTINUE READING: Free-agent option
Free Agent
Jose Bautista: The free agent class remains flush with designated hitter-type sluggers, but Bautista is the only one that can realistically claim a spot on the 2017 Dodgers.
Though he’s entering his age-36 season, Bautista can still hit with the best of them and would bring a jolt to the Dodgers lineup.
With the Toronto Blue Jays, he saw time as the designated hitter and first baseman, but primarily patrolled right field. Depending on Puig’s status with the club, Bautista can slot into his usual position or potentially move to left field.
This late in the offseason, the Dodgers can probably sign Bautista to a one- or two-year deal. Though, it would cost Los Angeles their first round draft selection in 2017 since he was extended — and rejected — a qualifying offer.
UPDATE (Jan. 16): Bautista re-sign with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $18.5 million contract that includes incentives and mutual options.