Cody Snavely
The 2023 Dodgers season is officially over after being swept out of the Postseason by the division rival Arizona Diamondbacks. The team, like last year, is left with more questions than answers even after, against all odds, winning one hundred games and another NL West crown. Kicking off the Dodgers’ decision-making will be deciding what to do with their club options.
For those who do not know how options work, some players have a club option (team decides), a player option (player decides), or, in a few cases, a mutual option (both decide). In terms of the Dodgers options this year, they have six players with options, all of which are club options. Andrew Freidman and Brandon Gomes will have five days after the conclusion of the World Series to decide what action they will take with these players, but I have a good understanding of what route they both will take with these options.
Lance Lynn: 18 Million (Decline)
The Dodgers took a chance on Lance Lynn at the 2023 trade deadline, hoping he would be a stable piece to help balance out their already decimated starting rotation. In a way, they accomplished their goal as the “innings eater” but still could not adjust to the long ball as he gave up a career-high 44 long balls in the regular season and four more in the Postseason. Lynn posted great strikeout numbers and technically was the team leader in innings based on the regular season. Still, the 5.73 ERA and going into his age 37 season makes his 18 million option a no-brainer to decline.
Max Muncy: 14 million (Pick up)
Arguably, the most controversial Dodgers player in 2023 was Max Muncy. To some fans, he is one of the most underrated players in the game, while to others, he is borderline unplayable due to his low batting average and suspect defense at 3rd. However, I am here to tell you both things are true. Muncy is one of the Dodger’s best power hitters in recent memory, and you would be shocked if I were to tell you that he currently ranks 10th all-time in Dodgers home runs with 175. While Muncy’s defense is not the greatest, his ability to get on base via the walk of hitting around 30-40 bombs a season is valuable. Add in the very affordable option at 14 million dollars and not many external or internal options to replace him at 3rd or his bat in the line-up, and it makes too much sense for the team to pick this one up.
Joe Kelly: 9.5 Million (Decline)
Okay, now this is where things get interesting regarding team options. Joe Kelly, beloved by fans and was a silver lining in a very silent trade deadline, brought stability to the back end of the Dodgers bullpen, which was nails in the second half of the season. Kelly posted excellent numbers for the Dodgers in his time there this year, having a 1.74 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 10.1 IP. However, health and age are considerable factors in terms of his club option for the 2024 season. Joe Kelly missed a big chunk of the second half with LA due to an elbow injury, which is not what you want to hear from a guy entering his age-36 season. Adding together the age, injury history, and inconsistent numbers over the last three seasons, it is hard to imagine the Dodgers picking up his option for 9.5 million, which is nearly 5 million more than his projected market value.
Blake Treinen: 7 Million (Decline)
In case you forgot, Blake Treinen is still on the Dodgers roster and has been out for the entire 2023 season due to recovery from a torn labrum and rotator cuff. Treinen, who was a crucial piece in the Dodgers bullpen in their World Series run in 2020, has simply not been healthy, and with him entering his age 37 seasons, it is an easy decision for the Dodgers to cut ties and save seven million dollars to use elsewhere. While it is not entirely unlikely the two sides will come together on a new deal, we may have seen the last of Blake Treinen in the league as he continues to work his way back.
Daniel Hudson: 6.5 Million (Decline)
Similar to Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson was another blink, and you’ll miss player on the team, as he missed nearly all of 2022 and 2023 with a torn ACL. Upon returning, he pitched one inning where he tore his MCL, ending his 2023 campaign. Hudson is also an aging veteran who will be entering his age 37 season. After suffering two major injuries back to back, I don’t see a scenario where the Dodgers give him six and a half guaranteed dollars. The Dodgers could bring back Hudosn on a cheaper one-year deal in hopes of his continued rehab and shot to make the 2024 bullpen at some point, but like Treinen, his career could be over.
Alex Reyes: 3 Million (Decline)
Alex Reyes is an interesting decision as the former Cardinals closer was brought to LA last offseason in hopes he would rejoin the team in the ladder half of the year. However, those plans were quickly scratched as Reyes would be shut down for the year after his shoulder flared up on him, leading to his second surgery in the span of thirteen months. While Reyes has a huge upside as a former all-star from 2021, the injuries to his shoulder are a huge red flag moving forward. Just like Treinen and Hudson before, it is not hard to imagine the Dodgers declining the option and going with a one-year deal with less money.
Conclusion
The Dodgers have plenty of money coming off the books in 2024, and out of all the options listed here, I only see them picking up Muncy’s fourteen-million-dollar one and saving 44 million dollars in the process to use elsewhere. With the Dodgers more than likely in the race for Shohei Ohtani this offseason, every penny counts.
