Dodgers Offseason To-Do List, 2015/16

[duke1861]

Dodger management disagrees with you on Heyward being the perfect fit as the Cubs just signed. Terms not yet disclosed.

Cueto would be great. I know there are some shoulder concerns and he did "slump" last year. I like that he is younger and showed up when KC needed him the most last year.

I have no issue with Greinke not being signed or for the lack of activity. Management has been forthright in that they do not like long term deals past 36 years old, they are building the farm and they want improved financial flexibility/sustainability. I completely respect their approach and candor. Furthermore, Kasten intimated (this week) that they are just about ready for the youth to step up and lead the organization (JDL, Urias, Saeger etc).

However, this team is not improved over last year and as I have noted, probably a few years away from a WS bid assuming the youth develops accordingly. So the fan in me is disappointed that another season of Kershaw's prime is for naught, but I understand that it takes time too build managements vision.

I am still holding out hope that the FO has a master plan on some sort. There are still several free agents out there but coming out of the Winter Meetings, we are worse off than when we entered and thats not a good thing.

1. I concerned with our starting pitching and the health of these players. We simply don't know what we will get out of Ryu nor do we know when he will be ready. McCarthy is in the same boat but he should be ready prior to All Star break. Coming off Tommy John can be tricky. I didn't like the signing last year, but he it is what it is. Iwakuma is a solid pitcher but he has been injury prone from my understanding. Given Anderson's propensity to get injured, I don't like what we have at this point. Injuries are part of the game, but when over half of your starting rotation (Ryu, McCarthy and Iwakuma) missed most of the previous year, its a big concern. Baseball often comes down to health and pitching, so needless to say, we should be concerned at this point.

We do have some FA options still but we can't wait too much longer. We also can't count on the kids (De Leon, Urias and Holmes) until next year at the earliest.

2. The bullpen has not been addressed. No panic here as we can always swing a trade. That being said, the major free agents are gone at this point.

3. We still have a hole at 2nd unless we feel Peraza is the answer there. Starting 2 rookies in the middle infield is a gutsy call. Not sure its a good idea.

4. We still have a log jam in the OF. We have dead weight in Crawford, a problem child in Puig, a player on the decline in Either and two sophomores in Hernandez and Pederson.

5. The farm is intact but are we over-valuing our prospects. I love our farm system, but the bottom line is that Holmes, Verdugo, Alvarez, Bellinger, Urias and De Leon will not ALL be solid MLB players. Some of them will be, but we don't know which ones. If we are going to improve this team, we will have to part with some of these players or we will have to open the pocket book.

The sky isn't falling but we HAVE to address the starting rotation, the bullpen and upgrade the offense. In other words, we have a tremendous amount of work to do prior to Spring Training and we are off to a slow start.

 

[LASports96]

What do you know... a very sensible post. Good breakdown that I mostly agree with there.

 

[LASports96]

I realize it's fairly unlikely at this point but I'd be open to staying in on one of the outfielders still on the market and getting some more stability in the lineup. No clue why we weren't in harder on Heyward. But say Justin Upton would be a fun addition. It would likely mean no Cueto and our rotation takes a step back but if other areas improve it's ok. And still sign a guy like Maeda is possible.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

I realize it's fairly unlikely at this point but I'd be open to staying in on one of the outfielders still on the market and getting some more stability in the lineup. No clue why we weren't in harder on Heyward. But say Justin Upton would be a fun addition. It would likely mean no Cueto and our rotation takes a step back but if other areas improve it's ok. And still sign a guy like Maeda is possible.

I'd much rather have Cueto than another outfielder. Might as well have kept Kemp if you want Upton, their stats were pretty similar last season. Pitching wins games. Top 5 teams in Starting Staff ERA made the playoffs in the NL last year.

I'd be with you if anyone wanted to take Ethier and/or Crawford off our hands but no one does. The last thing you want to do is add yet another huge contract to an already crowded outfield.

 

[LASports96]

Kemp: .325 wOBA 109 wRC+ -15 DRS 0.4 rWAR

Upton: .340 wOBA 120 wRC+ +8 DRS 3.6 rWAR

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Kemp: .325 wOBA 109 wRC+ -15 DRS 0.4 rWAR

Upton: .340 wOBA 120 wRC+ +8 DRS 3.6 rWAR

Still fail to see how he "adds stability" to the lineup.

 

[lasportzphan]

Still fail to see how he "adds stability" to the lineup.

Yes, but to MVPuig's point, the numbers show Upton is considerably better (defensively as well). Perhaps comparing their second half numbers makes more sense as Kemp was clearly adjusting in the first half. That said, Kemp is an extreme defensive liability these days.

It's moot. Dodgers may swing a trade or two, but the core team is in place. If the team wants to compete next year, Cueto appears to be a crucial signing barring some miraculous trade.

 

[lasportzphan]

I am still holding out hope that the FO has a master plan on some sort. There are still several free agents out there but coming out of the Winter Meetings, we are worse off than when we entered and thats not a good thing.

1. I concerned with our starting pitching and the health of these players. We simply don't know what we will get out of Ryu nor do we know when he will be ready. McCarthy is in the same boat but he should be ready prior to All Star break. Coming off Tommy John can be tricky. I didn't like the signing last year, but he it is what it is. Iwakuma is a solid pitcher but he has been injury prone from my understanding. Given Anderson's propensity to get injured, I don't like what we have at this point. Injuries are part of the game, but when over half of your starting rotation (Ryu, McCarthy and Iwakuma) missed most of the previous year, its a big concern. Baseball often comes down to health and pitching, so needless to say, we should be concerned at this point.

We do have some FA options still but we can't wait too much longer. We also can't count on the kids (De Leon, Urias and Holmes) until next year at the earliest.

2. The bullpen has not been addressed. No panic here as we can always swing a trade. That being said, the major free agents are gone at this point.

3. We still have a hole at 2nd unless we feel Peraza is the answer there. Starting 2 rookies in the middle infield is a gutsy call. Not sure its a good idea.

4. We still have a log jam in the OF. We have dead weight in Crawford, a problem child in Puig, a player on the decline in Either and two sophomores in Hernandez and Pederson.

5. The farm is intact but are we over-valuing our prospects. I love our farm system, but the bottom line is that Holmes, Verdugo, Alvarez, Bellinger, Urias and De Leon will not ALL be solid MLB players. Some of them will be, but we don't know which ones. If we are going to improve this team, we will have to part with some of these players or we will have to open the pocket book.

The sky isn't falling but we HAVE to address the starting rotation, the bullpen and upgrade the offense. In other words, we have a tremendous amount of work to do prior to Spring Training and we are off to a slow start.

Good recap, front office needs to get creative. When a team invests $30+ per in a pitcher, it's not wise to waste a season earlier in said contract. Makes no financial sense.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Cueto would be a nice #2 pitcher behind Kershaw.

 

[Villain]

However, this team is not improved over last year and as I have noted, probably a few years away from a WS bid assuming the youth develops accordingly. So the fan in me is disappointed that another season of Kershaw's prime is for naught, but I understand that it takes time too build managements vision.

Agree and disagree.

Improved:
*Full season of Seager at SS
*I think Utley/Peraza/Hernadez can keep 2B at least as good as it was last year (which was a good position for LA).

Not improved:
*Starting rotation, obviously the FO agrees and I'd be dumbfounded if they didn't add another big name
*Bullpen looks the same, but to be fair it wasn't that bad last year. Obviously, the FO agrees with you and they want to improve it.
*The outfield.
*Third base, but Turner is good.

Could possibly improve on their own:
*Contributions from Puig, Pederson, and Grandal.

This team isn't that bad. Even without including Iwakuma, the Dodgers are 2nd, behind the Cubs, for projected team WAR for 2016.

This is a club that's won three straight division titles and should still be considered the front runner for the NL West again, despite Greinke and Miller being in Arizona. Kershaw is still the best pitcher in baseball. Alex Wood, Brett Anderson, and Hisashi Iwakuma should all be considered above average as back-of-the-rotation arms. If the Dodgers add Cueto or Carrasco or someone else of that caliber, they will absolutely have the best rotation in the division.

Don't forget that these guys could all also contribute this season:
*Hyun-Jin Ryu
*Brandon McCarthy
*Julio Urias
*Jose De Leon
*Chris Anderson
*Jharel Cotton

Those are names with a lot more potential than say, Mike Bolsinger (who was fine), Joe Wieland, and Carlos Frias. Zach Lee is also still around and still very young.

 

[Villain]

Interesting take from an independent perspective:

Beyond The Box Score: The Dodgers don't need another closer

 

[lasportzphan]

Agree and disagree.

Improved:
*Full season of Seager at SS
*I think Utley/Peraza/Hernadez can keep 2B at least as good as it was last year (which was a good position for LA).

Not improved:
*Starting rotation, obviously the FO agrees and I'd be dumbfounded if they didn't add another big name
*Bullpen looks the same, but to be fair it wasn't that bad last year. Obviously, the FO agrees with you and they want to improve it.
*The outfield.
*Third base, but Turner is good.

Could possibly improve on their own:
*Contributions from Puig, Pederson, and Grandal.

This team isn't that bad. Even without including Iwakuma, the Dodgers are 2nd, behind the Cubs, for projected team WAR for 2016.

This is a club that's won three straight division titles and should still be considered the front runner for the NL West again, despite Greinke and Miller being in Arizona. Kershaw is still the best pitcher in baseball. Alex Wood, Brett Anderson, and Hisashi Iwakuma should all be considered above average as back-of-the-rotation arms. If the Dodgers add Cueto or Carrasco or someone else of that caliber, they will absolutely have the best rotation in the division.

Don't forget that these guys could all also contribute this season:
*Hyun-Jin Ryu
*Brandon McCarthy
*Julio Urias
*Jose De Leon
*Chris Anderson
*Jharel Cotton

Those are names with a lot more potential than say, Mike Bolsinger (who was fine), Joe Wieland, and Carlos Frias. Zach Lee is also still around and still very young.

I agree with your sentiment above. As Kasten intimidated, it's a transitional bridge from old to young. The Dodgers may have to rely on young bats and younger arms.

Are the Dodgers a completive, solid baseball team as of right now? Yes. Have the improved their chances of winning the World Series in 2016? No.

 

[Villain]

Giants got Cueto.

This is about all that's left in free agency (try not to puke):

Wei-Yin Chen (will cost a draft pick)
Mike Leake
Scott Kazmir
Kenta Maeda (I'm not crazy about him, I'd rather wait for Shohei Otani next winter)

Looks like an ace-caliber pitcher will only be attainable via trade. Carlos Carrasco, come on down!

 

[duke1861]

I agree with your sentiment above. As Kasten intimidated, it's a transitional bridge from old to young. The Dodgers may have to rely on young bats and younger arms.

Are the Dodgers a completive, solid baseball team as of right now? Yes. Have the improved their chances of winning the World Series in 2016? No.

I think we are competitive team but I do not see us making the players with the team as constituted. I think we are the 3rd best team in the division at this point. The Dbacks have a great offense and now have a great rotation and the Giants will have great pitching to match their ridiculous defense. We are in for a dog fight no matter how you look at it. With the Cubs improving drastically, the NL is very competitive right now.

Everything is on paper at this point of course and its not even February so a lot could change. I honestly think we will add some other pieces that will surprise us.

 

[duke1861]

Giants got Cueto.

This is about all that's left in free agency (try not to puke):

Wei-Yin Chen (will cost a draft pick)
Mike Leake
Scott Kazmir
Kenta Maeda (I'm not crazy about him, I'd rather wait for Shohei Otani next winter)

Looks like an ace-caliber pitcher will only be attainable via trade. Carlos Carrasco, come on down!

We can get Salazar or Carrasco I feel but I am not sure the FO wants to give up the prospects it will take. I think Cotton can probably pitch out of the pen this year and I think De Leon could be ready by season's end. He is 23 right now.

 

[Villain]

I think we are the 3rd best team in the division at this point.

You are vastly underestimating the depth (and balanced roster) that the Dodgers have while overrating what the Dbacks and Giants have done.

 

[duke1861]

You are vastly underestimating the depth (and balanced roster) that the Dodgers have while overrating what the Dbacks and Giants have done.

The DBacks had a tremendous offense and had lousy pitching. They have addressed that with the best pitcher in the NL last year (Greinke) and Miller. They could also sign Leake if he takes less. With a beefed up rotation and the same offense they had last year, they are much improved. I am not the only one who thinks the DBacks are now a threat and might be the best team in the NL West at this point.

The Giants had a off year and have improved their rotation significantly. Maybe I am underestimating our depth. That being said, our rotation is in the air right now and we lost our clean-up hitter in Kendrick. While he is not an All-Star, he was above average defensively and was consistent for the most part at the plate. We have no idea what Peraza will do at this point.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

The DBacks had a tremendous offense and had lousy pitching. They have addressed that with the best pitcher in the NL last year (Greinke) and Miller. They could also sign Leake if he takes less. With a beefed up rotation and the same offense they had last year, they are much improved. I am not the only one who thinks the DBacks are now a threat and might be the best team in the NL West at this point.

The Giants had a off year and have improved their rotation significantly. Maybe I am underestimating our depth. That being said, our rotation is in the air right now and we lost our clean-up hitter in Kendrick. While he is not an All-Star, he was above average defensively and was consistent for the most part at the plate. We have no idea what Peraza will do at this point.

I remember the Padres counting their chickens early on last year as well, we won't truly know until the season starts.

 

[lasportzphan]

You are vastly underestimating the depth (and balanced roster) that the Dodgers have while overrating what the Dbacks and Giants have done.

You're completely blinded by fandom if you think the Dodgers are favorites for the division. I'm not saying that they can't compete, but if SF stays healthy and AZs pitching improves (because they can take), this division is dog fight.

 

[LASports96]

I'd be willing to take the chance on Maeda. I know most scouts see him as a 3/4 starter but their is some possibility he out performs that. I don't remember Ryu having over the top raving remarks and he came out and pitched like a definite #2. (Please come back healthy Ryu)

I'd also like this contingent we also upgrade the lineup and or bullpen along with Maeda.