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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 15:37:33 GMT
Dodgers: The top 3 free agent starting pitchers after Gerrit Cole
by Michael Wittman
The MLB season could end tonight and after the Dodgers and the rest of the league will be looking for ways to improve their rosters.
The Dodgers and the rest of Major League Baseball await the conclusion of the World Series so that the hot stove season can begin. The World Series could end tonight and even if it goes seven games then Wednesday will be the end of the season. The Dodgers will be looking to upgrade their rotation whether it’s bringing Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill or seeking alternatives in free agency.
The top free agent on the market will obviously be Gerrit Cole and the chances the Dodgers overpay for his services remain minuscule. Stephen Strasburg technically has to opt-out of his contract so he is not in this article but if he does opt out he is the clear cut second-best starter on the free-agent market. Here are the top three starters on the free-agent market after Gerrit Cole.
1. Hyun-Jin Ryu (2.32 ERA, 3.10 FIP in 2019)
The top starting pitcher after Gerrit Cole in free agency (barring a Strasburg opt-out) is the Dodgers’ own Hyun-Jin Ryu. While Hyun-Jin will likely miss out on the NL Cy Young award, he had a stellar season and will head into free agency with a much better market as he will not have draft pick compensation attached to him.
Ryu made 29 starts this season and stayed healthy throughout the season which is something he did not do in 2018. Turning 33 years old before the 2020 season, Ryu is among the oldest big-name starting pitchers on the market but he does not rely on high velocity which helps his cause. Unless the Dodgers are serious about pursuing Cole or Strasburg, their best starting pitching option could be Ryu on a short-term contract.
Projected contract: 3 years $54 million
2. Zack Wheeler (3.96 ERA, 3.48 FIP in 2019)
Outside of Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, the next big fastball on the free-agent market belongs to Zack Wheeler. Wheeler was the sixth overall pick of the San Francisco Giants in the 2009 draft but has been overshadowed a bit in the New York Mets’ rotation that features Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard.
Wheeler’s fastball averages over 96 miles per hour and he would give the Dodgers a pair of fireballers at the top of their rotation if the blue signed Wheeler instead of bringing Ryu back. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015 and struggling in 2017, Zack has been healthy and very effective in the last two seasons.
From a pure stuff standpoint, Wheeler has the best stuff of any free agent starter on the market after Cole and Strasburg. He also enters free agency on the right side of age thirty.
Projected contract: 4 years $64 million
3. Madison Bumgarner (3.90 ERA, 3.90 FIP)
This may come as a surprise to some as Jake Odorizzi was probably the starter that most thought would be here but it is the long-time enemy Madison Bumgarner. One of the main reasons is that MadBum has been very consistent over his career and outside of self-inflicted dirt bike injury, Bum has been a consistent workhorse over his big league career.
Unlike Odorizzi whose ERA was nearly a full run higher in 2018 than 2019, Bumgarner does not have a huge variance in his performance from year to year. Despite his ERA increasing in 2019, MadBum’s strikeout rate (8.8 K/9IP) and walk rate (1.8 BB/9IP) actually improved this year compared to last season. On a contending team, he should see his performance improve.
Then there is the postseason where Bumgarner is regarded as a playoff legend. Although he has not pitched in the postseason since 2016, Madison owns a 2.11 ERA in the postseason and has the reputation of being a big-game pitcher. Outside of Walker Buehler, the Dodgers do not have a big game starting pitcher and Bumgarner could help bolster the Dodgers’ playoff rotation.
In case you are wondering about how Madison would fit in the Dodger locker room, I am sure he would get along just fine as he is good friends with Clayton Kershaw. MadBum would also be glad that he would no longer have to go get Max Muncy’s home run balls out of the ocean. Bumgarner will likely get a three year deal in free agency worth around $45-$48 million.
Starting pitchers that just missed the cut were Jake Odorizzi, Dallas Keuchel, and Cole Hamels who make up the second tier of free-agent starting pitchers. The second tier of free-agent starting pitchers will be ranked in another article. Rich Hill also makes up that second-tier given his ability when healthy.
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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 15:43:44 GMT
Dodgers: Possible trade packages for Francisco Lindor
by Jack Trent Dorfman
Andrew Friedman said he wanted to change the complexion of the team. If the Dodgers add Francisco Lindor, they’d be doing just that.
As reported by John Paul Morosi for MLB.com, the Dodgers are rumored to be pursuing Lindor this offseason in what would become arguably the biggest blockbuster of the 2010s decade for the Dodgers (if of course the trade was completed before January 1, 2020).
Lindor’s merits do not need to be stated, as his stardom largely speaks for itself, but in case you doubt his talents or track record, I’ll list off some of his statistics here.
The shortstop known as “Mr. Smile” will turn 26 years old in three weeks. In each of his five seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Lindor has been a 4.0 fWAR player or better, including his rookie year in 2015 which was only 99 games long.
After looking like a batting average and defensive-minded player after his first two seasons, Lindor sacrificed some batting average for power over his last three seasons. In that span, he’s averaged 34 home runs, 20 steals, and a .278 AVG per season, good for an average fWAR of 5.9. He walks nearly as much as he strikes out (and he strikes out less than 100 times a season) and along with his three-season 30-home run streak, he has a three-season 40-doubles streak as well.
To put that in a Dodgers context, Cody Bellinger put up a 7.8 fWAR season in 2019 while only one other Dodger (Max Muncy 4.8 fWAR) eclipsed 4.0 fWAR. Bellinger hit 47 home runs and 34 doubles with a .305 AVG and his strikeouts and walks both hovered around 100.
Basically, Lindor has been able to put up numbers similar to Bellinger’s career year for three years running, while playing a Gold Glove level defense at a premium position in shortstop. He’s got two years left before free agency, which barring an extension, will come at the end of the 2021 season.
In this article, I’ll go through a few different options the Dodgers have as to how they can approach a trade for Lindor. Let’s get into it.
Swapping Shortstops?
One of the easiest potential packages to envision would involve swapping Corey Seager and some peripheral pieces for Lindor. This makes a lot of sense on its face, especially when considering their comparative costs over the next two seasons. Here’s how Morosi broke down their arbitration values for MLB.com:
According to projections at MLB Trade Rumors, Lindor will likely make in the neighborhood of $16 million via arbitration this season, and Seager somewhere in the $7 million range.
If this is the case, over two seasons, Lindor will likely make upwards of $30 million while Seager’s two-year total will probably fall closer to $20 million. If this is the case, then the Indians could be incentivized to make this deal. Over the last few seasons, the Indians, despite making a World Series berth back in 2016, have not gone all out spending wise, instead opting to coast to ALDS berths using their prospect depth.
For the first time in the last few seasons, the Indians missed the playoffs, largely due to a down year from José Ramirez and injury-shortened seasons for Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. This may incentivize the team to do a more complete teardown, as they already dealt Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati for young pieces from the San Diego Padres and for a year of Yasiel Puig.
If the Indians fail to extend Lindor, he will reach free agency in 2021, the same time Kluber becomes an unrestricted free agent. Ramirez also can become a free agent after the 2021 season if the team decides to decline his club option.
Basically, the Indians are in a prime position to begin a rebuild after 2021, but if they feel their window to compete now is closing, they may choose to shift some money elsewhere in favor of adding depth and younger pieces, as they did in the Bauer deal.
If the Indians went for a “Seager and more for Lindor” deal, then they would likely save a fair amount of money, especially if they forced the Dodgers to eat the salary of any additional players the team sent over.
But who would some of these satellite pieces be in a shortstop swap?
Peripheral pieces in a Seager trade?
To go along with Seager, the Indians would more than likely ask for depth, both on the hitting and pitching sides. But despite Seager’s slightly depressed value and recent injury history, his value is surely still higher than that of older Dodgers hitters like Max Muncy or Justin Turner.
So what pieces would have to go along with Seager? More than likely, they would need to bring little in the way of a salary cap hit and would not be free agents until after the 2021 offseason.
The Indians’ depth chart features very little on the hitting side. With no true starting-caliber second baseman or corner outfielder, Cleveland really needs to add depth. Some of that could come internally, as budding prospects Greg Allen and Jake Bauers have both spent time alongside 2019 rookie Oscar Mercado in the outfield.
However, despite their prospect pedigrees, they are not ready for full-time roles in 2020 if the Indians want to stay in the hunt for an AL Wild Card slot. To supplement this lack of depth, Chris Taylor could provide a perfect fit to go along with Corey Seager.
Taylor becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2021 season. For 2020, Taylor is likely to make around $5 million, which would make him a bargain for the Indians as a second baseman with the ability to play the corner outfield slots as well.
Taylor’s low cost and solid track record make him a perfect fit for the Indians, whose window still would not close by swapping Lindor for Seager and Taylor, along with a few minor league prospects certainly.
But maybe the Indians don’t want the biggest pieces of their return to be two short-term major leaguers, so what are some prospect packages that could work?
Dodgers
A Prospect-Heavy Approach
While prospects are likely to be involved, it would be tough to rule out Major League pieces. In the Bauer trade, the Indians got back Franmil Reyes, a right fielder who could DH in the future, and Logan Allen, a rookie left-handed starter.
Reyes, 24 years old, will not hit free agency until 2025. Allen, 22 years old, has a much shakier timetable, as he still is under his rookie deal since his service time clock has yet to start.
If the Dodgers can provide pieces similar to Reyes and Allen to go along with Lindor, then they should be able to get a deal done. So who fits this mold?
Obviously the Indians would argue Gavin Lux and Dustin May would be perfect prospects to headline a Lindor deal, but they really don’t have that sort of bargaining advantage in my opinion, and neither does Morosi. He brings up Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, and Jeter Downs, the third-, fourth-, and fifth-rated prospects in the Dodgers system.
While I think that dealing all three of these players for Lindor would potentially be an overpay, it also just would make no sense. Where would you play Lindor if you kept the rest of your infield?
That’s why I’d argue the Seager-Taylor-prospect trade framework makes the most sense in terms of roster flexibility for the Dodgers, and in terms of return for the Indians. The Indians have four right-handed pitchers within their top-15 prospects according to MLB.com. The Dodgers have six, with three ranked in the top six overall prospects.
This makes a right-handed pitching prospect a potential trade option to clip onto Seager and Taylor. Beyond May and Gray, the only top right-handed pitching prospect the Dodgers have is Tony Gonsolin, who surely would be tough for the Indians to snag.
More than likely, the third player involved would be Mitchell White or Dennis Santana. White is 24 years old and was projected to debut in 2019, as he pitched well in Triple-A in 2019. Here’s his MLB.com outlook:
He has the upside of a mid-rotation starter who can generate more than his share of swings and misses as well as ground-ball contact. He also could be a high-leverage reliever who could concentrate on attacking hitters with his fastball and breaking balls.
Santana also was projected to debut in 2019 based on his Triple-A status (which he briefly did). Here’s MLB.com’s take on the 23-year old righty:
Santana sometimes struggles to command his pitches because he has so much life on his fastball and utilizes a crossfire delivery. He does throw enough strikes for Los Angeles and most scouts to project him as a starter, with one organization rating him as the system’s best prospect at the outset of 2019. If he winds up in the bullpen, he has the stuff to serve as a setup man or perhaps even a closer.
All in all, the Indians will likely require a prospect in addition to any Seager-based package for Lindor, and personally, I’m all for that sort of deal.
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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 15:46:39 GMT
Could Dodgers follow Nats, Astros, rely on rookies, youth in 2020 rotation?
by Jack Trent Dorfman
The Astros and Nationals both have used rookies to start games in the World Series. The Dodgers left Tony Gonsolin off the playoff roster.
Making use of your best pitchers, even if they are not experienced, is an interesting strategy. While José Urquidy got the win in an amazing start for the Astros in Game Four and Joe Ross gave up a pair of big home runs in his Game Five start, just the fact that both teams trusted their talented young arms demonstrates an ideology that differs from that of the Dodgers.
Gonsolin missing the playoff roster came as a shock to many, especially considering how solid he was as a starter down the stretch. Should he have been left on the playoff roster?
That’s not what I am seeking to answer in this article. I’ll let the past stay in the past.
What I would like to do is look ahead to the Dodgers’ 2020 starting rotation. Could the Dodgers see Urquidy’s success as a blueprint to getting Julio Urias, Dustin May, and Gonsolin into big playoff games in elevated roles by starting them more often during the regular season? And would this strategy make sense based on the current construction of the roster?
I think so. As of today, Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw are the only sure things in the 2020 rotation. Hyun-Jin Ryu is a free agent who may be left to walk if he seeks more than a three-year deal, which his breakout season is likely to garner.
Without Ryu, the rotation will likely be made up of a mix of veterans like Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling. But what about a potential youth movement, could the trio of young guns I mentioned above work with the established veterans?
More than likely, Tony Gonsolin and Kenta Maeda will be in the rotation, meaning one spot will be open. I think Urias makes the most sense as a fifth starter, especially because he can work as a tandem starter with Stripling.
Keeping May in the bullpen makes a lot of sense to me as well, especially if he makes spot starts in lieu of minor leaguers making them. Here’s how I envisioned May’s 2020 role a month ago.
But perhaps a better comparison could be rookie Chris Sale. In his first full season in the majors in 2011 he threw 71 innings in 58 games. Sure, that’s still a far cry from the 190-200 innings he can be counted on for from 2012 to today, but it is important developmentally to face top hitters in tough situations.
For the Dodgers, Dustin May could benefit from this sort of work. Just like Sale, he is lanky and has electric stuff, even if he is too inexperienced to navigate through an MLB start without his best stuff. If May could work out of the bullpen in 50 or so games and throw for five or more outs whenever required, he would likely amass 75-80 innings of work. This would serve to keep him fresh for the occasional spot start and also would make him playoff-ready out of the bullpen so that he could go into a tie game in the seventh inning instead of Kershaw or into the ninth inning instead of Kelly.
Having depth in the rotation means that come October, a bullpen depth deficiency became a strength for the 2019 Dodgers, but if they want to compete in 2020, they’ll need their depth to act more like that of the Nats and Astros, in that it is depth that is skilled enough to be entrusted with playoff innings and starts.
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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 15:56:44 GMT
Dodgers: The top 3 free agent starting pitchers after Gerrit Cole 1. Hyun-Jin Ryu (2.32 ERA, 3.10 FIP in 2019) Projected contract: 3 years $54 million 2. Zack Wheeler (3.96 ERA, 3.48 FIP in 2019) Zack has been healthy and very effective in the last two seasons. Projected contract: 4 years $64 million 3. Madison Bumgarner (3.90 ERA, 3.90 FIP) Starting pitchers that just missed the cut were Jake Odorizzi, Dallas Keuchel, Rich Hill and Cole Hamels who make up the second tier of free-agent starting pitchers. The ONLY one that the team should consider is Zack Wheeler at $16 million for 3- 4 seasons and no one else. However, it will be tough because he might resign with the Mets and if not will have a draft pick attached. |
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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 16:03:48 GMT
Dodgers: Possible trade packages for Francisco Lindor
Andrew Friedman said he wanted to change the complexion of the team. If the Dodgers add Francisco Lindor, they’d be doing just that.
I posted before that the team should do anything it can to swap short stops and add something else going their way. This writer suggests Seager, Taylor and one of Mitchell White or Dennis Santana. I think that Kike should be mentioned and not Taylor. But I am fine with that. I had said Seager, Joc, and one of those pitchers. So even if it's Taylor it shouldn't break a deal. Let's go Dodgers! |
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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 16:22:53 GMT
Could Dodgers follow Nats, Astros, rely on rookies, youth in 2020 rotation? Gonsolin missing the playoff roster came as a shock to many, especially considering how solid he was as a starter down the stretch. Gonsolin not being the 4th starter in the NLDS was dumb in my opinion. I argued that he and not Hill should have been it. Hill gave us 2.2 IP. I see the rotation shaping up as follows Buehler 1, Kershaw possibly 3 or even 4, and Maeda 4 or 5. That leaves 2 spots to fill and play with. But we know about load management, tired arms etc that end up with IL stints. So, it is well within reason to think that Gonsolin will be in one of those spots and Urias and May sharing innings in the other spot. I see May going up and down next season giving us starter innings when called upon. Then there is also Stripling who can fill in and the possibility of signing another arm or trading for one like Wheeler or Kluber, for example. In no way should the team trade away May... As of now: 1. Buehler 2. Gonsolin 3. Kershaw 4. Maeda 5. Urias/May |
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Post by Blunashun on Oct 30, 2019 18:38:16 GMT
Dodgers: Possible trade packages for Francisco Lindor
by Jack Trent Dorfman
Andrew Friedman said he wanted to change the complexion of the team. If the Dodgers add Francisco Lindor, they’d be doing just that.
As reported by John Paul Morosi for MLB.com, the Dodgers are rumored to be pursuing Lindor this offseason in what would become arguably the biggest blockbuster of the 2010s decade for the Dodgers (if of course the trade was completed before January 1, 2020).
Lindor’s merits do not need to be stated, as his stardom largely speaks for itself, but in case you doubt his talents or track record, I’ll list off some of his statistics here.
The shortstop known as “Mr. Smile” will turn 26 years old in three weeks. In each of his five seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Lindor has been a 4.0 fWAR player or better, including his rookie year in 2015 which was only 99 games long.
After looking like a batting average and defensive-minded player after his first two seasons, Lindor sacrificed some batting average for power over his last three seasons. In that span, he’s averaged 34 home runs, 20 steals, and a .278 AVG per season, good for an average fWAR of 5.9. He walks nearly as much as he strikes out (and he strikes out less than 100 times a season) and along with his three-season 30-home run streak, he has a three-season 40-doubles streak as well.
To put that in a Dodgers context, Cody Bellinger put up a 7.8 fWAR season in 2019 while only one other Dodger (Max Muncy 4.8 fWAR) eclipsed 4.0 fWAR. Bellinger hit 47 home runs and 34 doubles with a .305 AVG and his strikeouts and walks both hovered around 100.
Basically, Lindor has been able to put up numbers similar to Bellinger’s career year for three years running, while playing a Gold Glove level defense at a premium position in shortstop. He’s got two years left before free agency, which barring an extension, will come at the end of the 2021 season.
In this article, I’ll go through a few different options the Dodgers have as to how they can approach a trade for Lindor. Let’s get into it.
Swapping Shortstops?
One of the easiest potential packages to envision would involve swapping Corey Seager and some peripheral pieces for Lindor. This makes a lot of sense on its face, especially when considering their comparative costs over the next two seasons. Here’s how Morosi broke down their arbitration values for MLB.com:
According to projections at MLB Trade Rumors, Lindor will likely make in the neighborhood of $16 million via arbitration this season, and Seager somewhere in the $7 million range.
If this is the case, over two seasons, Lindor will likely make upwards of $30 million while Seager’s two-year total will probably fall closer to $20 million. If this is the case, then the Indians could be incentivized to make this deal. Over the last few seasons, the Indians, despite making a World Series berth back in 2016, have not gone all out spending wise, instead opting to coast to ALDS berths using their prospect depth.
For the first time in the last few seasons, the Indians missed the playoffs, largely due to a down year from José Ramirez and injury-shortened seasons for Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. This may incentivize the team to do a more complete teardown, as they already dealt Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati for young pieces from the San Diego Padres and for a year of Yasiel Puig.
If the Indians fail to extend Lindor, he will reach free agency in 2021, the same time Kluber becomes an unrestricted free agent. Ramirez also can become a free agent after the 2021 season if the team decides to decline his club option.
Basically, the Indians are in a prime position to begin a rebuild after 2021, but if they feel their window to compete now is closing, they may choose to shift some money elsewhere in favor of adding depth and younger pieces, as they did in the Bauer deal.
If the Indians went for a “Seager and more for Lindor” deal, then they would likely save a fair amount of money, especially if they forced the Dodgers to eat the salary of any additional players the team sent over.
But who would some of these satellite pieces be in a shortstop swap?
Peripheral pieces in a Seager trade?
To go along with Seager, the Indians would more than likely ask for depth, both on the hitting and pitching sides. But despite Seager’s slightly depressed value and recent injury history, his value is surely still higher than that of older Dodgers hitters like Max Muncy or Justin Turner.
So what pieces would have to go along with Seager? More than likely, they would need to bring little in the way of a salary cap hit and would not be free agents until after the 2021 offseason.
The Indians’ depth chart features very little on the hitting side. With no true starting-caliber second baseman or corner outfielder, Cleveland really needs to add depth. Some of that could come internally, as budding prospects Greg Allen and Jake Bauers have both spent time alongside 2019 rookie Oscar Mercado in the outfield.
However, despite their prospect pedigrees, they are not ready for full-time roles in 2020 if the Indians want to stay in the hunt for an AL Wild Card slot. To supplement this lack of depth, Chris Taylor could provide a perfect fit to go along with Corey Seager.
Taylor becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2021 season. For 2020, Taylor is likely to make around $5 million, which would make him a bargain for the Indians as a second baseman with the ability to play the corner outfield slots as well.
Taylor’s low cost and solid track record make him a perfect fit for the Indians, whose window still would not close by swapping Lindor for Seager and Taylor, along with a few minor league prospects certainly.
But maybe the Indians don’t want the biggest pieces of their return to be two short-term major leaguers, so what are some prospect packages that could work?
Dodgers
A Prospect-Heavy Approach
While prospects are likely to be involved, it would be tough to rule out Major League pieces. In the Bauer trade, the Indians got back Franmil Reyes, a right fielder who could DH in the future, and Logan Allen, a rookie left-handed starter.
Reyes, 24 years old, will not hit free agency until 2025. Allen, 22 years old, has a much shakier timetable, as he still is under his rookie deal since his service time clock has yet to start.
If the Dodgers can provide pieces similar to Reyes and Allen to go along with Lindor, then they should be able to get a deal done. So who fits this mold?
Obviously the Indians would argue Gavin Lux and Dustin May would be perfect prospects to headline a Lindor deal, but they really don’t have that sort of bargaining advantage in my opinion, and neither does Morosi. He brings up Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, and Jeter Downs, the third-, fourth-, and fifth-rated prospects in the Dodgers system.
While I think that dealing all three of these players for Lindor would potentially be an overpay, it also just would make no sense. Where would you play Lindor if you kept the rest of your infield?
That’s why I’d argue the Seager-Taylor-prospect trade framework makes the most sense in terms of roster flexibility for the Dodgers, and in terms of return for the Indians. The Indians have four right-handed pitchers within their top-15 prospects according to MLB.com. The Dodgers have six, with three ranked in the top six overall prospects.
This makes a right-handed pitching prospect a potential trade option to clip onto Seager and Taylor. Beyond May and Gray, the only top right-handed pitching prospect the Dodgers have is Tony Gonsolin, who surely would be tough for the Indians to snag.
More than likely, the third player involved would be Mitchell White or Dennis Santana. White is 24 years old and was projected to debut in 2019, as he pitched well in Triple-A in 2019. Here’s his MLB.com outlook:
He has the upside of a mid-rotation starter who can generate more than his share of swings and misses as well as ground-ball contact. He also could be a high-leverage reliever who could concentrate on attacking hitters with his fastball and breaking balls.
Santana also was projected to debut in 2019 based on his Triple-A status (which he briefly did). Here’s MLB.com’s take on the 23-year old righty:
Santana sometimes struggles to command his pitches because he has so much life on his fastball and utilizes a crossfire delivery. He does throw enough strikes for Los Angeles and most scouts to project him as a starter, with one organization rating him as the system’s best prospect at the outset of 2019. If he winds up in the bullpen, he has the stuff to serve as a setup man or perhaps even a closer.
All in all, the Indians will likely require a prospect in addition to any Seager-based package for Lindor, and personally, I’m all for that sort of deal.
Okay. Seager, Taylor, Ruiz & one of Santana or White. No to Gray, Gonsolin or May. If they want Joc, that's a separate deal (or changes the parameters of this one). He could be traded somewhere else for bullpen help. |
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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 20:19:48 GMT
Dodgers: Possible trade packages for Francisco Lindor
However, despite their prospect pedigrees, they are not ready for full-time roles in 2020 if the Indians want to stay in the hunt for an AL Wild Card slot. To supplement this lack of depth, Chris Taylor could provide a perfect fit to go along with Corey Seager.
Taylor becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2021 season. For 2020, Taylor is likely to make around $5 million, which would make him a bargain for the Indians as a second baseman with the ability to play the corner outfield slots as well.
Taylor’s low cost and solid track record make him a perfect fit for the Indians, whose window still would not close by swapping Lindor for Seager and Taylor, along with a few minor league prospects certainly.
Obviously the Indians would argue Gavin Lux and Dustin May would be perfect prospects to headline a Lindor deal, but they really don’t have that sort of bargaining advantage in my opinion, and neither does Morosi. He brings up Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, and Jeter Downs, the third-, fourth-, and fifth-rated prospects in the Dodgers system.
That’s why I’d argue the Seager-Taylor-prospect trade framework makes the most sense in terms of roster flexibility for the Dodgers, and in terms of return for the Indians. The Indians have four right-handed pitchers within their top-15 prospects according to MLB.com. The Dodgers have six, with three ranked in the top six overall prospects.
More than likely, the third player involved would be Mitchell White or Dennis Santana. White is 24 years old and was projected to debut in 2019, as he pitched well in Triple-A in 2019. Here’s his MLB.com outlook:
Okay. Seager, Taylor, Ruiz & one of Santana or White. No to Gray, Gonsolin or May. If they want Joc, that's a separate deal (or changes the parameters of this one). He could be traded somewhere else for bullpen help. Man, you are a more generous GM than me billynono  I'd say they take Seager who is almost Lindor's equal when healthy with same arb years left but cheaper, Taylor who is under control for 2 more years and plays 2B/SS/LF/CF/RF, and either Santana or White or both. But with that package no to Ruiz he is the organization's #1 prospect. If they want Joc so be it. They would gain a left handed power bat that can play the corner outfield spots or DH. |
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Post by Blunashun on Oct 30, 2019 20:28:14 GMT
Okay. Seager, Taylor, Ruiz & one of Santana or White. No to Gray, Gonsolin or May. If they want Joc, that's a separate deal (or changes the parameters of this one). He could be traded somewhere else for bullpen help. Man, you are a more generous GM than me billynono I'd say they take Seager who is almost Lindor's equal when healthy with same arb years left but cheaper, Taylor who is under control for 2 more years and plays 2B/SS/LF/CF/RF, and either Santana or White or both. But with that package no to Ruiz he is the organization's #1 prospect. If they want Joc so be it. They would gain a left handed power bat that can play the corner outfield spots or DH. That wouldn't be our opening offer, & I feel the same way about our pitchers that you do about Ruiz. May & Gonsolin are ready right now. Gray will be up sometime next year. Ruiz is redundant. Seager would be redundant too, obviously. As is Taylor, if we still have Hernandez. You can never have too much pitching. Look at our bullpen last year for proof. Untouchables (among the youngsters) include May, Gonsolin, Gray, & Lux & Verdugo. I'm not gutting the team even for a superstar. We would be the Phillies. |
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Post by truedodger on Oct 30, 2019 20:33:07 GMT
Man, you are a more generous GM than me billynono I'd say they take Seager who is almost Lindor's equal when healthy with same arb years left but cheaper, Taylor who is under control for 2 more years and plays 2B/SS/LF/CF/RF, and either Santana or White or both. But with that package no to Ruiz he is the organization's #1 prospect. If they want Joc so be it. They would gain a left handed power bat that can play the corner outfield spots or DH. That wouldn't be our opening offer, & I feel the same way about our pitchers that you do about Ruiz. May & Gonsolin are ready right now. Gray will be up sometime next year. Ruiz is redundant. Seager would be redundant too, obviously. As is Taylor, if we still have Hernandez. You can never have too much pitching. Look at our bullpen last year for proof. Untouchables (among the youngsters) include May, Gonsolin, Gray, & Lux & Verdugo. I'm not gutting the team even for a superstar. We would be the Phillies. Yeah, that makes sense. I'd say then just hold on to Ruiz so that if he goes the team should get a premium return. |
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Post by truedodger on Oct 31, 2019 15:44:54 GMT
Glad Nats closed it out. Asstros run should be over.
Will be interesting to see if WSH locks up Rendon and Strasburg (he will opt- out). 2019 payroll was at $197 million. Looks like they've dropped to $108 million to start 2020. HOU had a payroll of $158 million in 2019. They're starting at $162 million for 2020 without Cole, who might command $35 to $40 million plus a year on a 5 plus year deal. Threshold will be $208 million in 2020.
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Post by truedodger on Oct 31, 2019 21:04:14 GMT
@billplunkettocr
With room on 40-man roster now #Dodgers add 23-yr-old RHP Victor Gonzalez. Signed out of Mexico in 2012. Went from Class-A to Triple-A last year. In 38 games (13 starts) 5-2, 2.31 ERA (23 ER/89.2 IP) with 93 Ks
@billplunkettocr
Gonzalez was signed by the #Dodgers on same scouting trip to Mexico initiated by Mike Brito that yielded two other signings — Yasiel Puig and Julio Urias
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Post by truedodger on Oct 31, 2019 21:08:53 GMT
@billplunkettocr
Four #Dodgers are now officially free agents — Rich Hill, Russell Martin, Hyun-Jin Ryu and David Freese (who has said he plans to retire). A fifth (Jedd Gyorko) will join them when LAD declines his option
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Post by truedodger on Nov 1, 2019 15:22:13 GMT
@jonheyman
Kenley Jansen will not opt of the $38M and 2 years remaining on his contract #Dodgers
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I think he'll regain form. Too much seemed to be going on with him. The heart issue etc. I don't think he'll be the elite closer he was a few years back. But, solid enough to finish his contract on good terms with the team. His velocity was good for the most part. Hope he can refresh his mental state this offseason.
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Post by truedodger on Nov 1, 2019 15:25:48 GMT
Four Dodgers among 131 players who became free agents Thursday
By Bill Plunkett
With the conclusion of the World Series, 131 players became free agents Thursday including four Dodgers – pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill, infielder David Freese and catcher Russell Martin.
Infielder Jedd Gyorko could join them when the Dodgers decline his option. Freese has already announced his plan to retire.
Relief pitcher Kenley Jansen has an opt-out clause in his contract that would allow him to become a free agent this winter, but he is expected to decline that option and return to the Dodgers for the final two years and $38 million on his contract.
Here is the full list of free agents (more could be added as decisions are made on opt-out clauses and options in the next few days):
Arizona Diamondbacks – C Alex Avila, OF Jarrod Dyson, RHP Yoshihisa Hirano, OF Adam Jones
Atlanta Braves – LHP Jerry Blevins, C Francisco Cervelli, 3B Josh Donaldson, IF Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Matt Joyce, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Chris Martin, C Brian McCann, RHP Darren O’Day, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin
Baltimore Orioles – OF-1B Mark Trumbo
Boston Red Sox – RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, OF-IF Brock Holt, 1B Mitch Moreland, OF-IF Steve Pearce, RHP Rick Porcello
Chicago Cubs – OF Nick Castellanos, LHP Xavier Cedeno, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Brandon Kintzler, C Jonathan Lucroy, RHP Pedro Strop, OF-IF Ben Zobrist
Chicago White Sox – 1B Jose Abreu, OF Jon Jay, LHP Ross Detwiler, RHP Ivan Nova, LHP Hector Santiago
Cincinnati Reds – IF Jose Iglesias, LHP Alex Wood
Cleveland Indians – RHP Tyler Clippard, OF Yasiel Puig, IF Ryan Flaherty
Colorado Rockies – 1B Yonder Alonso, C Drew Butera
Detroit Tigers – IF Gordon Beckham, RHP Edwin Jackson, IF Jordy Mercer, LHP Matt Moore, RHPTyson Ross
Houston Astros – C Robinson Chirinos, RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Will Harris, C Martin Maldonado, RHP Collin McHugh, LHP Wade Miley, RHP Hector Rondon, RHP Joe Smith
Angels – RHP Trevor Cahill
Dodgers – IF David Freese, LHP Rich Hill, C Russell Martin, LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu
Miami Marlins – OF Curtis Granderson, IF Martin Prado, IF Neil Walker
Milwaukee Brewers – RHP Matt Albers, LHP Gio Gonzalez, RHP Jay Jackson, RHP Jordan Lyles, LHP Drew Pomeranz
Minnesota Twins – C Jason Castro, RHP Kyle Gibson, RHP Jake Odorizzi, RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Sergio Romo, IF Jonathan Schoop
New York Mets – LHP Luis Avilan, RHP Brad Brach, OF Rajai Davis, IF Todd Frazier, C Rene Rivera, RHP Zack Wheeler
New York Yankees – RHP Dellin Betances, OF Brett Gardner, RHP Cory Gearrin, SS Didi Gregorius, OF Cameron Maybin, C Austin Romine, LHP CC Sabathia
Oakland A’s – LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Tanner Roark
Philadelphia Phillies – OF Corey Dickerson, RHP Tommy Hunter, IF Brad Miller, OF-1B Logan Morrison, RHP Juan Nicasio, IF-OF Sean Rodriguez, LHP Drew Smyly, RHP Nick Vincent
Pittsburgh Pirates – OF Melky Cabrera, IF-OF Lonnie Chisenhall, LHP Francisco Liriano
St. Louis Cardinals – LHP Tony Cingrani, OF Marcell Ozuna, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Adam Wainwright, C Matt Wieters
San Diego Padres – RHP Craig Stammen
San Francisco Giants – LHP Madison Bumgarner, IF Pablo Sandoval, LHP Will Smith, C Stephen Vogt
Seattle Mariners – RHP Felix Hernandez, LHP Tommy Milone, RHP Arodys Vizcaino
Tampa Bay Rays – C Travis d’Arnaud, OF Avisail Garcia, IF Eric Sogard
Texas Rangers – IF Logan Forsythe, OF Hunter Pence, RHP Edinson Volquez
Toronto Blue Jays – RHP Clay Buchholz, 1B Justin Smoak
Washington Nationals – IF Asdrubal Cabrera, IF Brian Dozier, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Daniel Hudson, IF Howie Kendrick, OF Gerardo Parra, 3B Anthony Rendon, RHP Fernando Rodney, LHP Jonny Venters
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