Cody Snavely
The MLB offseason looms as we are less than a week away from the 2023 World Series. Unfortunately, our Los Angeles Dodgers will not be representing the NL yet again after another disappointing end to the season. However, as we have highlighted here already, with the Dodgers’ current free agency pool and the six-team options, the team will also have to see if there are any players they would like to cut ties with. Last year, the biggest storyline was when the Dodgers non-tendered Cody Bellinger, the former 2019 NL MVP. This offseason, I can see the Dodgers looking at three names as candidates to non-tender.
Ryan Yarbrough (ARB 3 *4 Million)
The first player on our list for the highest chance of being non-tendered by the Dodgers is the 2023 trade deadline acquisition Ryan Yarbrough, who is in the third and final year of arbitration and due an estimated four million dollars. Yarbrough, who was non-tendered by the Rays last offseason, later signed with the Royals to be a part of their starting rotation. Yarbrough posted okay numbers for the Dodgers and Royals in 2023, going 8-7 with a 4.52 ERA. However, after being acquired by LA at the deadline, he switched to a hybrid relief/starting role. The Dodgers, desperate for pitching depth and predominantly left-handed pitchers, could realistically retain Yarbrough. Still, depending on their plan for the pitching staff, perhaps a 32-year-old lefty who throws below 90 is not in their plans. It is also worth noting that Yarbrough has no options left, which will also go into the decision.
Yency Almonte (ARB 2 *1.4 Million)
Another name to keep an eye on on the non-tender list is Yency Almonte, who was a big part of the Dodgers bullpen in 2022, but 2023 was a different story. The Dodgers bullpen in the first half of the 2023 season was historically bad, and one of the main reasons why was also due to Almonte potentially coming down to earth in terms of performance. Almonte, who had a 1.02 ERA in 2022, had it balloon up to 5.06 this year. Almonte, who was supposed to be a big piece of the Dodgers bullpen in 2023, ended up being an afterthought, and though he tried to come back from an MCL sprain that he suffered in August, he was left off the postseason roster. Like Yarbrough, Almonte has no option remaining, so if signed, he would have to be on the big league roster at the end of spring training, barring any potential injuries or setbacks. Nothing changes more in baseball than a team’s bullpen, and expect the same with LA in 2024.
Victor Gonzalez (ARB 1 *1 Million)
The last realistic option I can think of on the Dodgers roster that could possibly be non-tendered is fan favorite Victor Gonzalez. The left-handed relief pitcher, who has spent most of his career between AAA and the majors, has not had much impact since the 2020 season. What makes this move less likely compared to the other names is that Gonzalez has one team option remaining, so the Dodgers could retain him in their system without having to DFA him if they decide to option him to the minors again. Gonzalez did go 3-3 with an ERA over four in his brief stint this season. The Dodgers also already have two other lefties in their pen in Yarbrough and Caleb Ferguson, which would diminish his role in 2024.
Conclusion
The Dodgers, if they non-tender all three names, could save around 6-7 million dollars, which is not as steep as when they non-tender Cody Bellinger’s estimated 17.5 million in arbitration last year. However, the Dodgers are poised for a big winter in free agency, and as mentioned before, every penny counts.
The Dodgers will have a lot of decisions to make this winter, but the most significant decisions will be made just days after the World Series, as the deadline to pick up, decline, or non-tender players is five days after the conclusion of the Fall Classic.
