With the latest LAD signing of Teoscar Hernández to a 1 year $23.5MM contract, with $8.35MM deferred until 2030-2039 the Dodgers lineup of position players is set.
1B – Freddie Freeman (34)
2B – Mookie Betts (31)
3B – Max Muncy (33)
SS – Gavin Lux (26)
LF – Teoscar Hernández (31)
CF – James Outman (27)
RF – Jason Heyward (34)/Manuel Margot (29)
C – Will Smith (29)
DH – Shohei Ohtani (29)
Remaining Bench – Austin Barnes (C) (34), Chris Taylor (Swiss Army Knife Utility) (33), Miguel Rojas (INF) (35).
That is a VERY veteran team. A lot of talent, but most on the wrong side of 30. Average age in in excess of 31. There is also no LH bench player. That cannot stand, correct? This has to change, right?
I believe there is a reason for that. Fans may not like to hear it, but the Dodgers just do not have many MLB ready position players. Or MLB ready position players AF/BG are willing to rely on??? That includes Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch. There is not a current spot on the 26 man, and neither Vargas nor Busch should return to AAA. In order for either Vargas or Busch to be on the LAD MLB roster post ST, current roster players will need to be included in trades. Or both will need to be traded.
Outside of Busch and Vargas, the only position players who can be considered near MLB ready would be Andy Pages and Hunter Feduccia. Feduccia is a backup catcher at best. Perhaps the Dodgers feel that Pages will be ready by 2025, as Hernández, Margot, and Heyward have only one year remaining. Margot has an option, but there is no guarantee it will be exercised. Trey Sweeney would be next, but he is not ready.
It might behoove the Dodgers to trade some of their surplus for prospect outfielders that are close. An MLB ready 3B/SS would also be nice. A bridge until the players in A Ball are ready. One thing we have learned from AF is that he does not make a move unless he knows what the next on and probably two will be.
Perhaps the Dodgers will not trade Vargas and/or Busch. Perhaps it will be Margot and Taylor and/or Rojas that will be traded, opening up spots for both Vargas and Busch. The team does have to get younger, doesn’t it?
There is still a lot of moving parts that need to be figured out. And all we can do is speculate what is yet to come.
Once the signing of Hernández becomes official, someone else on the 40 man will need to be moved off, via trade, or via DFA. Perhaps that will clarify somewhat where the team is headed.
The more rumors I continue to read about what the Dodgers are going to do, the more I realize that these pontificators are just throwing s*** at the wall to see what will stick.
- Dylan Cease
- Jesús Luzardo
- Trevor Rogers
- Braxton Garrett
- Shane Bieber
- Emmanuel Clase
- Josh Hader
- Kenley Jansen
- Ryan Brasier
- Corbin Burnes
- Willy Adames or another SS upgrade
These are just the ones that are reported by multiple sources. Some reputable, some for click bait. I know there are many other reports about other players.
What we have heard from the Dodgers is that originally, the Dodgers concentrated on SP. They have certainly transformed that situation from a distinct weakness into a near strength. IMO, they need one more innings eating #5/#6 pitcher. But AF/BG seem enthralled and accepting of going into the season with their young guns.
We need to listen to what Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes are telling us. They told us right from the get go that they knew they needed to upgrade their starting rotation. They have done so, but is it enough?
BG has gone on record with stating the team needs maybe one more starter, but has been careful to primarily stay with another “pitcher”. I guess that keeps the Hader and KJ reports going. Now that the Dodgers are no longer considered a potential for Shōta Imanaga, and that Sean Manaea has signed with NYM, I would not at all be surprised to see the Dodgers pivot to James Paxton as the LHSP reclamation project. I am not predicting it, it is just pure speculation understanding who they have signed the last couple of years.
They could also stay away from all FA’s and concentrate on trades.
Most recently, AF had indicated the need for a RH bat that can hit LHP. We now know that player is Teoscar Hernández.
What comes next? Will the Dodgers trade for a pitcher? Will Michael Busch and/or Miguel Vargas be the primary players in a trade package? Will any of Gavin Stone, Landon Knack, Nick Frasso, Kyle Hurt, or River Ryan be included in a trade? Do they dare trade Emmet Sheehan? There are 40 days until Pitchers and Catchers report, and 43 days before the position players report. There is still a lot of Hot Stove League remaining.
All of this activity (spending) is very unlike AF. I think Walter is hanging over his shoulder saying do what it takes to win it all this year. I don’t care what it costs and besides, we’ll have all that extra revenue from Japan.
I still see us bringing in a lefty starter but really hope it isn’t Paxton. I’ve been lobbying for Ryu and I’m still on that train.
I forget who it was, but somebody said there’s no such thing as a bad one year contract in MLB.
In a year or two the Dodgers will have moved on from Muncy, joe Kelly, Taylor and Teoscar. That mitigates alot of the age concern to me.
And just like that, suddenly everything looks much better, they only needed a right-handed batter, now just need to put the best lineup in place.
There are still a lot of lefties in the lineup
Is there any chance the Dodgers are still in the Imanaga race?
It’s interesting that the Dodgers said they needed a right hand bat because they leaned to much on left handed. Now the concern is the bench is all right handed.
That said I expect a trade, most likely for a pitcher, is next.
It seems so much easier to acquire a player through free agency than through trade. Jusy agree on a contract and done. Trades can be with any team or teams and for any combination if players,cash, etc.
My guess is AF/ BG have been trying to make trades and just have not come up eith the right combination. So pivot to signing Teoscar, which means a player must be dfa’d or a trade is finally about to happen.
I still can’t wait to see what happens with Busch anf Vargas!
I read recently 25% of pitchers in MLB are left handed. That’s around 175 at bats for the left field position. Hernandez, and someone else, is going to get a lot of at bats against RHP.
I don’t know about this, but I don’t need to know. Friedman does. I’ll just sit and watch. Been fun so far.
Include Vargas and Rojas in a trade for Cease or Luzardo, then Busch is your left handed bat off the bench. I would prefer Luzardo but think the Dodger brass would prefer the veteran with all the uncertainty of the current starting staff.
Dropping in for a first time with Mark putting LADT on hiatus, perhaps forever.
Don’t like Teoscar’s Ks, but he does solve the LF question and adds that righthanded power in middle of the lineup. His arm is a weapon on defense.
But what about Vargas and Busch? Is Vargas more likely to be dealt no and perhaps Busch kept? Will both be dealt?
Reports persist that Luzardo could be dealt. Of all the SPs who are free agents or on the trade market, Luzardo would be my top target–a 26-year-old lefty with ace potential and three years of contract control. If AF thinks Luzardo is worth it, Dodgers have the prospect capital to make it happen.
And then maybe they’d go after Hader too
Wouldn’t Heyward be the lefty swinging player on the bench when the opposing pitcher is a lefty?
With 5 lefty hitters in the lineup do they really need a lefty hitter on the bench?
Hernandez has primarily played right field over the last couple of years. He has been better there than in left. No so sure he is going to be the primary left fielder.
The one area where the Dodgers have youth in their system is pitching. They could lose that if they use it to get a veteran pitcher.
Happy to see Hanigar going to Seattle. Now, I hope they sign Pederson.
Per Bowden, so take it with a grain of salt:
The #Dodgers tentative plan is to platoon Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot in RF with Teoscar Hernandez in LF and will make sure to get at-bats for Chris Taylor all over the field including LF.
So, you can throw my hope of optioning Margot to AAA out the window.
if he is right
According to this, the Braves are still a better team, perhaps it is true, but that is why they have to play 162 games, and they will hardly repeat last year’s numbers….
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2024-zips-projections-los-angeles-dodgers/
As I had hoped, the traffic on LADC has grown tremendously the last couple of days. With that growth comes a number of 1st time commenters here. I need to approve you for that 1st comment, and then you should be good to go thereafter. As I am out an about this week in wine country, I am not near my computer most of the time. So please be patient and when I get in front of my computer, I will approve you.
I am on my way to Bodega Bay and will be gone for several hours. Maybe the Dodgers will do something to make it more interesting.
Hey Phil and Jayne, two of my favorite posters at LADT. I’ll be happy to vouch for both of you, but that might work against you.
Hope you’ll both be active posters here and, although I can’t speak for him, I’m sure that Jeff feels the same way.
Welcome aboard.
Dodgers don’t really need another SP, but a lefty like Paxton or Ryu would be nice. So would another ace–but perhaps that’s too greedy.
With Yamamoto on board and Shohei in the wings for ’25, a six-man rotation makes sense. This would reduce the strain on Glasnow and Buhler (whenever he is ready and it could also provide more opportunity for Stone, Knack, Frasso, Ryan, and whomever I’m forgetting.
Video of Buehler and Lux working out at the stadium (courtesy of Dodgers Nation).
I don’t claim to be an expert, but Buehler looks smoother out there at shortstop than Gavin does.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1744546463169007960
I’m over from LADT, as well. Happy to see so many familiar names in the comment section. I enjoy all the posts and comments. Go Big Blue!
Thank you Jeff for this site, it is very refreshing to not deal with a bully running a Dodger blog. That’s all I’ll say about that. Very appreciated, keep up the good work.
The Blue is definitely setting itself up to be the Evil Empire of the MLB, much like the Steinbrenner Yankees, I’m totally good with that.
Hernandez should prove to be an incredible addition, at least at the plate, from what I have seen he is a below average defender. However when you put that into perspective, he will have 4 to 5 opportunities at the plate each game to show his worth, while having maybe 1 or 2 opportunities (if that) each game to show his marginal fielding issues. Most balls hit to the outfield are routine and don’t require the elite skills to handle. So what I am saying is Hernandez prowess at the plate will far outweigh his marginal skills in LF.
My, my….how we have become much older now. I sure hope we can infuse some young blood along the way. Please don’t trade Vargas and Busch.
This may have already been mentioned, but here’s the rumor that I have been hearing: Either Taylor or Rojas are being looked at to be traded. Both can play 3B, SS or 2B to spell the regulars or give late defensive relief at 3B. The +s for Taylor he can play all OF spots and provides more offense, all be it, Taylor does whiff a lot. So bottom line is one of these guys is going and thus Vargas or Busch may have room to stick at the break of camp.
I actually really like both of the players, Rojas sure is slick with the glove and Taylor is a very good swiss army knife.
Has anyone else been hearing this chatter?
Thanks to this community for helping us to avoid being a Dodger with the blues. Thanks to Mark, Jeff and all the heart I read about almost every day from this community. Hate to see LADT go out just as this adventure is hitting full stride but I get the desire for freedom. Best wishes to all for a healthy year and I wish you all the love of family and friends.
A lot of us are new to Jeff’s site, so I want to give a plug to Jeff’s article on Josue De Paula. It should make every Dodgers fan smile.
Elsewhere on the web, you might find similar rave reports on teenage SS Jeondry Vargas.
I don’t like the “untouchable” label, but the young talent the Dodgers is collecting–also including Kendall George, Thayron Liranzo and a few pitchers–gives me hope that someone could blossom into a true phenom not unlike Acuna, Soto, Trout.
That would be fun to see.
This is one reason I don’t worry about the age of the Dodgers’ roster. The superstars Mookie, Freddie and Shohei are in their primes. So is Will Smith, and Outman can build on his fine rookie season. If Teoscar plays well, AF could decide to extend him. If this is the last good year for Heyward, then perhaps Andy Pages will be ready.
I certainly don’t think AF’s work is done. A blockbuster for Luzardo and lefty RP Tanner Scott may be too much to hope for, but it seems possible. The Dodgers have the prospect capital to pull it off.