Steve Webb
Those crickets you hear are from the Dodgers front office. We’re two weeks into 2021 and the Dodgers are in essentially the same spot they were in on the day after they won the World Series. In fact, the most notable transactions have come in the past few days, and they have been departures. Pedro Baez, gone. Signed a two-year deal with the Astros*. Alex Wood, gone. Signed a one-year pact up in the bay with the Giants.
Remaining Free Agents
Couple that with the earlier deals with free agents Jimmy Nelson and Blake Treinen, and we’re down to just three unsigned free agents: Joc Pederson, Kike Hernandez and Justin Turner. We’re not expecting either Pederson or Hernandez to be back, but who knows? It’s been a very slow offseason. Maybe the Dodgers can sign one or both of them to one-year deals and they can be back out on the market again when hopefully we’re on the other side of this pandemic.
Turner Still the Key
Of course, the big dog is Justin Turner. With DJ LeMahieu closing in on a deal with the Yankees, Turner looks more and more like the best bet at third base in the near-term. The talk of a trade for Nolan Arenado or Kris Bryant seems to have cooled down considerably, so we’ll see what happens.
Dodgers Torn on JT?
Numerous online sources report that the sticking point between the two parties is the length of the contract. Reportedly, Turner is looking for a four-year deal, which would put him in Dodger blue until he’s 40. That’s a bit of a stretch, in our opinion. We’ll see what Andrew Friedman is willing to give. I could see two years with a team option for a third happening, but four years straight up is just not in the cards. Friedman can’t get too sentimental and hurt the Dodgers long-term with this deal. But hopefully, the Dodgers and Justin Turner both see that. C’mon Justin. Do you really want to be a Toronto Blue Jay? I don’t think so.
Bullpen Moves Still to Come?
Finally, with the White Sox making a deal with Liam Hendriks yesterday, the market for relievers just got a little tighter. Here’s where the Dodgers need to spend their money. Brad Hand and Kirby Yates are both still on the market. One of those guys needs to be in uniform when Spring Training starts, or it will be rough go for the Dodgers’ pen next year, I’m afraid.
