Steve Webb
True, the Los Angeles Dodgers are world champions. And true, their 2020 record was head and shoulders above the rest of Major League Baseball. However, the whole idea of the offseason is to try to make your team better. And as it stands right now, there’s no evidence that the Dodgers are a better team, and quite a bit of evidence that they’re worse.
Free Agent Exodus
So far, the only free agents whose services the Dodgers have retained are Blake Treinen and Jimmy Nelson. With the exit of Kike Hernandez, three members of the championship team won’t be around to participate in the celebration at Dodger Stadium, whenever that occurs: Hernandez, Pedro Baez (Houston*) and Alex Wood (San Francisco). Kike will be reuniting with former teammate Alex Verdugo in a retooled Red Sox lineup that quite frankly was rather lackluster in 2020. He’s sure to get a lot more playing time in that situation than he ever would have gotten at Chavez Ravine. Still, it’s a shame to see such an enthusiastic and versatile player leave the fold.
Pederson’s Still Weighing Offers
That leaves only Joc Pederson and Justin Turner unsigned here in the last week in January. All sorts of teams have been floated as possibilities for Pederson’s landing spot: the Nats, the Brewers, the Yankees, even the Royals are rumored to be interested in the slugging lefty. We’re not expecting Joc to be back in Dodger blue this spring, but there’s nothing definite to report on that front.
Key Questions Still Unanswered
Of course, and I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, the big questions this offseason are STILL unanswered. Justin Turner? The closer? The clock is ticking, and still nothing.
JT and Dodgers Still Talking
We’re feeling better about Justin Turner. The longer he stays on the market, the more I get the feeling he’s not getting the offers he’s after from other teams. This makes him a little more willing to bend on his hopes for getting a four-year deal, straight up. I’ve see a lot of internet conjecture that it will probably come down to the Blue Jays and the Dodgers, and the Dodgers are still only offering two years. I’m hoping that by the end of the month, something definite will be worked out between Turner and the Dodgers’ front office.
Who’s Got the 9th?
Still, if the Dodgers lose Turner it won’t be a disaster. On the other hand, if the team fails to secure a lockdown closer this winter, it’s going to be tough to repeat their trip to the fall classic. Unfortunately, the inventory on the shelves is looking mighty bare now. Kirby Yates is already a Blue Jay. Brad Hand supposedly just signed with the Nats. So who’s left? Not much. Trevor Rosenthal maybe. He looked pretty nasty with both the Royals and Padres last year. But his control is notoriously spotty. I wouldn’t necessarily jump on that bandwagon. Beyond that, it’s pretty slim pickings, free agent-wise. Perhaps Andrew Friedman is working up a blockbuster trade that we don’t know about. I hope so. I’m not sure my stomach can handle another year on the Kenley Jansen wild ride.
Stay tuned!
