Speculation that the Dodgers will move one of their outfielders this winter is nothing new, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the likelihood of that outcome today. As Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles writes, Friedman told reporters this morning, “I think it’s most likely the best course of action to move one of those players,” referring to Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford. Saxon writes that the belief is that Ethier is most likely to be moved, followed by Crawford, but Friedman wouldn’t rule out listening to offers for Kemp, nor would he rule out trading two outfielders and opening the season with Joc Pederson in an everyday role. He did imply that Kemp would be the most difficult to move, however: “Obviously what Matt has done, what Matt’s capable of doing, is significant, especially in this day and age with the run-scoring environment the way it is. His ability in the batter’s box is different.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, Kemp has already drawn some interest, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
More on the Dodgers…
- Heyman tweets that the Dodgers are looking to upgrade at catcher but feels the team has to keep A.J. Ellis around despite a down year at the plate due to how much ace Clayton Kershaw likes working with him (Twitter link). He wonders if the team might pursue an upgrade and use Ellis as a personal catcher for the 2014 Cy Young winner.
- The Dodgers aren’t likely to pursue free agent shortstop Jed Lowrie, tweets Saxon. Los Angeles is potentially losing Hanley Ramirez to free agency, so some have speculated that free agent shortstops may be of interest. The team does, of course, have internal options such as the defensively gifted Erisbel Arruebarrena and the more offensive-minded Alex Guerrero.
- The Dodgers today announced a trio of international signings (Twitter link): Frank Sanchez (the nephew of Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe), Edwin Reyes and Jerson Dometilla. Each is 16 years old, and SB Nation’s True Blue LA has more on each player.
The Dodgers could also move Dee Gordon back to shortstop. He did come up as a shortstop
Dee is brutal at SS. He’s not moving.
More brutal than Hanley Ramirez?
Hanley had no range. Dee can’t throw from short to first.
Yes dude was a walking error at SS. Dodgers waited too long to move him to 2nd
After the year he had last year, I don’t think it’d be a good idea to jumble him up. He seems to feel comfortable at 2b, don’t tamper with it.
Yeah that’s not gonna happen…
maybe they make a trade… getting alexei ramirez from the white sox for CC… if they could also get john danks… that would be nice too…
Why would a rebuilding team, trade their best trade asset for a 30-something slight above average outfielder with a ton of money left? They could get a good package for Alexei.
I think the theory would be CC, a lot of cash, and some minor pieces, like a zach lee and another piece for two. Depending on the cash, CC is a solid player who puts up good numbers
Eh, I still am not crazy about Crawford even if they eat most of the money for Alexei. I would think the ChiSox would want a young outfielder.
I realize Zach Lee didn’t just have the greatest year, ever… But he’s a “minor piece” now? I think baseball people would disagree.
The Dodgers are more or less stuck with Lee for now. The rotation depth just isn’t enough to sacrifice anybody who could be of use. Lee is pretty much it for 2015.
I don’t mind being stuck with a 4 pitch, 23 year old with smooth mechanics. If he can develop the curve at sea level this year in OKC then his K’s should increase. He locates well (before last year), is very athletic, 6’3, pitches down in the zone but rarely throws his slider even though I’ve read it’s by far his best secondary pitch. If he can’t further develop the curve he seems like a great groundball pitcher especially in a park like Dodger Stadium. I’d like to see him slow his change-up down and try a cutter to add movement to his fastball.
True he’s suffered from the PCL effect, but lots of pitchers get through that level without posting such ugly numbers. I’m sure the Dodgers haven’t given up on him but, he is reaching make-or-break territory. For sure he will be closely watched in spring training.
The White Sox aren’t necessarily a rebuilding team going into 2015. They have a pretty solid core, and are a couple solid additions or improved players away from being competitive. That said, I don’t think the White Sox would be too interested in acquiring an aging player like Crawford right now.
Danks for Ethier plus cash makes sense.
bj upton for joc pederson and adre ethier
The Dodgers wouldn’t even consider trading Joc for Bj. Maybe Ethier for Bj (bad contract for bad contract) but still, the dodgers want to turn one of their outfielders into another piece, not another outfielder.
Fair game Andre Ethier was no superstar in 2014, but trading him for one of the top two albatrosses in the game, plus giving up a mega-prospect, whilst only getting roughly 15mil in salary relief? Are you joking?
Never mind all that, make him explain why the Dodgers would be interested in another outfielder, let alone one who can’t hit anymore.
When did BJ Upton ever hit?
You’ve got a point there, but 3-4 years ago at least he wasn’t a total loss.
That is a terrible idea.
This is a joke, right?
Haha good one.
Sure, just toss in Teheran.
The Braves are stuck with BJ Upton. It was a bad signing the first place. The Dodgers don’t need more outfielders.
A stopgap of Stephen Drew or Asdrubal Cabrera would make sense for the Dodgers’ hole at SS.
Drew was terrible last year was he not?
Terrible hitter? Yes. Terrible fielder? No.
I think Drew can bounce back. V-Mart was rusty when he came back after a year off but he got back into things. I think Drew and Morales will bounce back this year.
I thought he had a big drop off from the previous year but I must admit I dont follow the AL too much.
Nah man. He stunk big time. He was ranked the worst hitter in baseball last year. But the year before he was one of the best SS.
To me, you have to think with Scott Boras not letting his client sign onto a team before Spring Training that he has to bounce back. Back to the top shortstops? That I don’t know, but it is worth a shot if it is a one year deal.
I guess it is going to depend on how much Friedman values defense then.
If it’s defense they want, they already have two options in Arrubarrena and Reyes.
Rojas?
Ugh, of course. Typing when tired.
The Dodgers want to go young, not make it worse with vets. They don’t want to be the Phillies.
Im guessing this would be for a year or so until Seager is ready.
A one year deal for either of the two wouldn’t be that bad. Cabrera was an AS twice and a SS once. Drew was 2nd to Jeter one year for SS hitting. It is worth it if the contract is good.
Alexei Ramirez for SS
The Dodgers can see if it goes better for them next year with questions in their bullpen or bite the bullet and let the contracts expire and build up the farm system.
Stay classy.
As far as the playoffs goes.
Dodgers should do whatever it takes to trade at least ethier and trading cc too would be plus. Sounds to me Friedman big on prospects or at least really wants to give Pederson at shot
I’ve been against LA moving an OF for the last 2 years but now seems like the time to bite. I might be in the minority of Dodger fans but I’d like a mostly defensive line-up. If it was my call I’d have Arry @ SS, Joc @ CF, and Russell Martin @ C, that would give LA one of the best defenses in baseball in my opinion. With Ryu, Kershaw and Greinke being ground ball pitchers improving infield defense should be an emphasis. Pitch framing, up the middle defense and keeping the pitching staff healthy are more vital to me than hitting.
Exactly my thoughts as well. Save runs pitch well win games.
Aj not that bad it just he can’t hit a ball to save his life
Just spitballing here…
Dodgers get Evan Gattis and David Carpenter or Jordan Walden.
Braves get Carl Crawford (and some salary relief), Zach Lee and a low level prospect.
Dodgers get their catcher for 4+ years, a good bullpen piece and free up an outfield spot.
Braves get a long term replacement for whichever (as if there would only be one) outfielder is traded, a solid pitching prospect/rotation candidate and a low minors guy.
Too ridiculous or actually possible?
Thing is, Gattis isn’t really a good catcher and I think the Dodgers want to improve defensively in that position. Also, I doubt the Braves want Crawford when they already have the BJ Upton problem, even though CC played well when healthy.
My theory behind Crawford was A: We unload BJ (I actually like the BJ for Edwin Jackson rumor. Swap bad contracts, have Roger McDowell fix Jackson like he has a bunch of other guys over the last few years. At worst, decent 5th starter. In theory…) and B: I dunno WHAT everyone is complaining about with Carl’s numbers… Without going into any advanced metrics, his production the last few years has been really solid. I’d take him in a heartbeat. Just has to stay healthy, like you said.
Gattis is an okay catcher. Just not very nimble, unfortunately. If he put the time and effort in to lose some weight and maybe do some Pilates or Yoga like Brian McCann did a few years ago, I think he’d certainly develop into someone you wouldn’t mind seeing behind the plate.
Dee was only bad at fielding, before he grew up. But now he knows that he needs to pay attention 24/7 when on the field.
Growing up has nothing to do with it he was bad every year till they move him to 2nd which they should of done years ago