Having re-signed top free agents Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Rich Hill this winter, the Dodgers – winners of four straight NL West titles – once again look like World Series contenders as the 2017 campaign nears. One glaring weakness on the roster is at second base, where Dodgers president Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi have been on a well-documented quest to improve since the Cubs eliminated them from the NLCS last October.
Los Angeles’ search for help at the keystone has centered on the Twins’ Brian Dozier, who established himself as a very good player from 2013-15 and then performed like a star last year. Dozier slugged 42 home runs, becoming just the fourth second baseman in league history to swat 40-plus in a season, while also providing value on the bases and in the field.
With the Twins in a rebuild, it makes sense that the Dodgers have pursued Dozier, but they haven’t been able to pry him from Minnesota. It doesn’t appear they will, either, as the two sides are at an “impasse” because LA has refused to add prospects Yadier Alvarez, Walker Buehler or Brock Stewart to its Jose De Leon-fronted offer.
With a Dozier pickup seemingly unlikely, the Dodgers could look to other quality second basemen potentially on the trade market in the Tigers’ Ian Kinsler and the Rays’ Logan Forsythe. Aside from their status as above-average players, those two share other similarities with Dozier: They’re under contract for two more years at affordable rates (Kinsler could demand an extension to waive his no-trade clause, though), meaning they won’t be easy to acquire, and they’re right-handed hitters. The latter point should be of considerable intrigue to the Dodgers, who had the majors’ worst offense against left-handed pitchers last season. All of Dozier, Kinsler and Forsythe hold their own versus southpaws and would greatly help the Dodgers’ cause in that regard.
If the Dodgers aren’t able to swing a trade for a high-impact second baseman, they’ll be left to pick from scraps in free agency and/or pin their hopes on uninspiring in-house options. The top name on the open market is Chase Utley, who has spent the past season-plus with the Dodgers. The longtime Phillie was fine in 2016, hitting .252/.319/.396 with 14 home runs and accounting for a league-average fWAR (2.0) in 565 plate appearances. His age (38) is a concern, however, as is the fact that lefty pitchers have confounded him in back-to-back seasons (.170/.245/.271 in a combined 212 PAs). Nevertheless, cognizant that they might not be able to improve at second via trade, the Dodgers have interest in re-signing Utley.
Whether it’s Utley, another free agent or a trade acquisition, it does seem as if an outsider will be the Dodgers’ primary second baseman in 2017. Their current options – Enrique Hernandez, Chris Taylor, Charlie Culberson, Jose Miguel Fernandez and backup catcher Austin Barnes – don’t carry much appeal as regulars. It’s still possible, granted, that the Dodgers will roll with that that group to at least begin the season. What do you think they’ll do?
(Poll link for Trade Rumors App users)
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
What will they do?
Kinsler
My hope. The article doesn’t mention it, but in addition to someone to play 2B, the Dodgers also need a leadoff hitter. Desperately. Nobody fills the bill better than Kinsler. It could well be worth buying out his option year and adding another if that’s what it takes.
Because the Dodgers have so much payroll flexibility against the luxury tax (not to mention Kinsler’s full no trade clause).
It seems like the Tigers want to contend next year now…like if they can’t get good deals for JD Kinsler and maybe another player they’ll keep the band together and try again, maybe if LA threw them some mlb ready talent like Joc Pederson they could stomach the loss
Not necessarily, but theoretically if they really wanted and could work out a reasonable ext with Kinsler they could easily clear out 15M against the cap.
Well at least it’s nice to know that Pederson is considered to be major league ready in his third season.
Lol…I don’t know why everyone thinks their team is going to be able to trade for Joc
What about Toles batting lead off, especially against rhp?
Possibly, but he’s still an unknown quantity. As of now I see the everyday line up as:
1. RHB 2B TBD
2. Toles (maybe)
3. Seager
4. Turner
5. Gonzales
6. Puig
7. Pederson
8. Grandal
Either way, most of the question marks are at the top.
That’s not the way they are going to construct lineups. The 2 spot is the new 3 spot. Seager is your two hole hitter and Turner is your three hole.
I am making the assumption that Gonzales will be demoted to fifth.
Get Josh Harrison from the bucs. Contract not an issue for LA.
Twins r so dumb we need brian dozier, just take de leon hes really good he gets lots of strikeouts. twins have the worst gm’s, can’t even see a good deal when it’s right in front of them. i want brian dozier and i want him now.
if i have to watch another season with chase buttley playing 2b im gonna be so mad. just go get someone good, stupid gms
Quit complaining, be glad your organization can afford good players. Try being a rays fan and if i were the twins id turn down that garbage deal too
if they didn’t trade Ronald Torreyes they wouldn’t of had this problem
Torreyes isnt any better then the options they currently have. Rob Segedin who they got for him hits leftys well so that trade was fine
I think he was joking
They’ll get our hopes up, then announce we’re using kiké for the season, we’ll get to the nlcs and then the same thing will happen next season either with second base or another position
So they will have another successful season? Awesome.
At what point is making the Postseason and getting knocked out year after year no longer considered a success? They can’t even make the World Series.
Teams aren’t built to go to the World Series – teams are built to get to the postseason. From there, small sample sizes means it’s anyone’s game.
It’s disappointing they haven’t got to the big one yet – but they aren’t falling short through lack of talent.
Eh. That’s true to an extent.
Cubs didn’t trade for Chapman to “get to the postseason.” They built a team to get them there, and then they traded for Chapman because it gave them the best chance to get to and win a World Series. Same goes for Cleveland with Miller.
At some point, LA is probably going to have to bite the bullet on a bold move like that to put them over the top and go from a team “built to make the postseason” to a team ready to win it all. Either that, or they can keep relying on “luck” and hope that things bounce their way next year (and most likely end up watching the World Series from home again).
so what was getting reddick and hill?
Agreed they were bold moves but not the cost nor control that Miller was or if they paid the price to get Ryan Braun other than a Reddick, the dodgers have held fast for many times, for Hamels and Price, they never wanted to go too deep
No World Series championship for the Dodgers since 1988. Teams that have won a Series since then include the Twins, Marlins (twice), Diamondbacks (in their fourth year of existence), White Sox, Oakland, Cincinnati, Toronto (twice), Philadelphia and the Royals. Oh, and their biggest rival the Giants have won three times.
Can’t think the Dodgers are too satisfied with that.
The Dodgers haven’t even been to a WS since 1988. Heck, the Rays, Astros Rockies and Padres can say they’ve gone. So can every other Major League team except the Nationals, Mariners, Orioles, Pirates and Brewers.
and for not going deep to get those players they kept seager and urias…
What was getting Reddick and Hill? A half-measure.
How is that a half measure? The Dodgers were loaded.
Hey man dont be talking. Crap about my rays they have potential man
Hard to keep calling that a success for a team like the Dodgers that expect to be in contention every year.
I wonder if the Dodger braintrust realize trading for Dozier will give them a WS championship? LMAO. You guys are so melodramatic. It is cute.
Yes, because that’s exactly what everyone is saying. They’ll be guaranteed a WS Championship if they trade for Dozier.
Or you could actually pay attention to what has been written and realize that getting Dozier would put them in a MUCH BETTER POSITION to actually win a championship compared to what they have now. OBVIOUSLY nothing is guaranteed, but you can’t really argue that getting Dozier wouldn’t put them closer to a championship right now, assuming you have a brain that functions.
Having Dozier would be infinitely more productive than the offensive black hole, especially against lefties, that the Dodgers had at second base. Not to mention they currently have literally nobody capable of being a starting 2B in the majors. But, you know, aggregates and crap shoots and stuff. Please keep explaining saber concepts as if we’re all unfamiliar and building straw men. Nobody is guaranteeing a ring, but going into the playoffs woefully underprepared each of the last 2 years isn’t really giving yourself a chance in the playoff crapshoot. It’s half-rear ending it, dusting off your hands, and saying “well that’ll do.” I get keeping prospects but they’re volatile and further from a sure thing than winning a WS is.
Directed towards Chester, agreeing with you Priggs
This is hard because they should trade for dozier or forsythe but I just don’t think it will happen
I’d like to see them trade for Forsythe, as he’d be cheap. I think they should get Kiermaier to play left too. Maybe get Forsythe and Kiermaier for Austin Barnes and Kiki Hernandez. The Rays need a catcher and love a Zobrist like Utility player.
Maybe even try to get Archer too. In that case, add Verdugo.
This has to be a troll
No way the Rays let Kiermaier go for that package. They want a TON for him, if they will even listen.
I guess some Dodger Fans just don’t believe in Joc Pederson’s ability to “figure out LHP”…….I’ve seen several ideas that include trading FOR a CF….???
rays won’t take it. I would trade puig and JDL for Forsythe, kiermaeir, and boxberger
Oh boy then that means I’d trade Pedro for Trout lol.
That might be an okay package for Forsythe, Boxberger and a B prospect (e.g., Faria), but Kiermaier has been a 5+ WAR player. Puig and JDL wouldn’t be enough for Kiermaier alone. Puig’s value is probably a little higher than Boxberger’s, but not much (both former all-stars with the same number of years left coming off seasons where they did pretty poorly). While JDL is a highly rated prospect, views on him also differ pretty significantly, and there’s good reason to be concerned about injury risk due to his delivery.
I do think the Dodgers and Rays still match up well, but the history between Friedman and Silverman probably will make it tough to match things up.
Lol rays wouldnt give you kiermaier for your entire roster lol( keep in mind we cant afford it)
I don’t even know where to start on this. But I will go with – no one is trading for Kiermaier to put him in LF. He is the best defensive CF’er in the game, full stop.
Kevin Pillar would like a word with you.
Why? To tell him he’s right?
Kevin Pillar can do what he likes. He’s a fantastic defender. But he isn’t the best
I meant to play CF and move Joc to LF. My mistake. Kiermaier isn’t much of a hitter would it really cost as much to get him as others are saying? I mean, Puig is a good defender, and people are trying to run him out of town even though he’s a better hitter than Kiermaier.
Puig is an okay defender with an elite arm. Kiermaier is an elite defender at a premium position. All he needs is a league average bat to be an exceptional player
If anything they can bring up Bellinger to play LF mid season. He has the tools to play and I’d rather see him than Either
Guess you missed the Adam Eaton trade.
Trade Kershaw for Ozzie Albies.
Troll? Hope so.
Sign Joey bats at 3B and put Turner at 2B
Since Bautista hit his shoulder a couple seasons ago he can’t throw anymore.
*hurt*
And have the worst infield “D” in MLB.
Really? Lol.. 2 things wrong here.. Joey Bats terrible at 3B .. Turner would be terrible at 2B
Delino DeShields Jr.
Can’t do that. It would bring back way too many bad memories for Dodger fans.
How about De Leon for Javier Baez?
Cubs wouldn’t do that in a million years. Baez is pretty much untouchable.
I wouldn’t go that far. Baez is a solid player. Gold glove caliber 2nd baseman but low OBP and perhaps still strikes out too much.
Super young though and the power is good. If he could creep that walk rate up to 8 percent he’d be very valuable
That’s not a bad idea at all.
Don’t see the cubs going for it
Have to add something serious to DeLeon to get Baez
He is actually a better option than Dozier.
1. He is a Way better defender
2. He can play ANYWHERE in the IF (and probably OF in a pinch),
3. He is expected to have 30+ HR power
4. He has speed on the bases
5. He does need to cut down the K’s
Cubs tried him in the of before last season started and supposedly his reads were bad and it didn’t go so well. He does do the IF well though
I honestly don’t get what people see in Javi Baez, maybe I’m missing something because he seems highly overrated. Not trying to sound like an A-hole, but what’s so good about him?
Plus defense, young, power potential, and a great prospect pedigree. Cubs, Yanks, and BoSox guys get talked about more cause it gets eyeballs, maybe that is your gripe?
I don’t completely disagree. I wouldn’t put him anywhere near the “untouchable” category.
In the field, he makes a lot of great flashy plays, and he’s got that thing where he makes a lot of pretty basic plays look flashy too. Overall, he’s a very solid defender though, and those kinds of plays make him fun to watch.
With the bat, he has a lot of power potential, but that generally comes when he’s taking way too big of swings at anything near the plate. If he ever becomes a really good hitter, I’d be willing to bet that it’s at the expense of a lot of that homer run power (would probably rack up a ton of doubles though). Just my opinion.
“Very solid defender?” He’s probably the best defensive second baseman in baseball and maybe the best defensive shortstop not named Andrelton. Baez’ defensive numbers are off the charts.
His defensive numbers aren’t “off the charts,” unless you’re looking at numbers that I haven’t seen. “Off the charts” should be reserved for numbers like KK put up the past couple years. If he put up numbers like those, I would love to know which ones…
Also, Andrelton wasn’t even the highest ranked shortstop numbers-wise last year. He was 4th or 5th depending on where you look (4th on fangraphs DEF ranking; 5th on bb-ref dWAR), behind Crawford, Lindor, Russell, and Galvis (on Fangraphs).
He very well could be the best defensive second baseman in baseball. There’s not a whole bunch of competition for that prize at the moment… I guess you could throw in names like Kinsler and Pedroia if you want to, but those guys are getting up there in age, so they’re a lot more limited than they used to be.
He had 11 drs at 2b in less than 400 innings, that may be what he is referring to.
2b sorted by drs
fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=2b&stats=fld&#…
Every player could be overrated tbh he seems underrated
I think they’re pretty comparable value wise, and they fill needs on respective teams.
Trade Wood and Ruf or Van Slyke for Ozuna. Sign Utley.
Baez would probably cost Urias, at least. Happ could play 2B…….not sure what the Cubs would want for him. The guy can definitely hit for power.
Marlins want a #2 for Ozuna. Wood doesn’t come close to that requirement. They could use Ruf to platoon with Bour, but you won’t get Ozuna without trading somebody WAY better than Wood.
Now…..if you wanted to trade for Dietrich, you could probably make that deal, and get some pop out of 2B (albeit sacrifice some defense)……without giving up a ton of talent.
Dietrich and Wood are not close. A proven young mid-rotation SP for a utility/platoon player? Who’s easier to replace? Ozuna’s value is way down w/ power bats in FA. Also, good pitching is hard to come by this off season. Taijuan Walker for Segura for example.
LOL. “Urias at least” for Javier freakin’ Baez… You do know that the Cubs’ third baseman’s name is Kris Bryant, right? Because that’s the only way they’d realistically be getting Urias…
Trade Alvarez/ Buehler for Starlin Castro.
There is the delousional package of the day
“pinstripes” must be a yankee fan in Florida……lol
Always ask high. :). Dodgers will be stubborn and stick with Utley. Make the playoffs and not make the WS again.
Thanks I needed a good laugh today.
I feel like he’s overrated
What about Troy Tulowitzki?
It’s original, I’ll give you that much.
Brandon Phillips will be the Dodgers 2nd baseman before ST. He will accept a trade there . Unlike the Braves he knows LA will be in contention and unlikely to deal him in July causing him to move his family three times in a year . Reds will pay a large portion of his salary , as they were intending to do with Atlanta . Prospects returning to Cincinnati will be one decent prospect and a lottery ticket .
He shot down a trade to the contending Nats, so why would he go to LA just because they’ll contend? He won’t agree to any trade that does not include an extension. If LA is willing to do that, then you may have something, bu.t I don’t see it happening
He shot down a trade to the Nats, but that was before Peraza hit .324 last season. This season, Peraza is going to take ABs away from Phillips, which will hurt Phillips in free agency. LAD will give him a chance to play everyday w/ very little chance of anyone taking his job from him. Even if they don’t give him an extension, going to LAD is better for his free agency than staying in CIN. Plus, LAD doesn’t have any middle-infield prospects that project to be ready in 2018 (unless Calhoun makes significant strides defensively), so if Phillips does well, they might re-sign him at the end of the season like they did w/ Rich Hill.
Phillips isn’t really very good though, and his defense has slipped dramatically the last two seasons.
Rt handed hitter .291/.329/.416 hits anywhere in the line up . Defense has slipped some still better than Utley . Very little cost in prospects or money .
Drew 15 walks last year. Power evaporates on the road. GABP is a way better home park for him. Kind of a jerk, and I don’t know why he’d turn down a trade to the Nats without an exension and not do the same for the Dodgers. No way LA would extend a 37 y/o second baseman.
He wants an extension AND a No-Trade clause to accept a trade……..Nothing Doing!!!!!……He’s already “falling off a cliff”……No Deal!
They could always go get Dee Gordon again, seems like Miami loves Dietrich, and all Miami wants is SP.
Wood, Stripling and Sborz for Gordon
The dodgers front office already didnt think Gordon was for real before the PED suspension. Cant imagine they would even consider him now
Probably so – in 2016, his post-roids campaign, he slashed .268/.305/.335. No thanks.
Trade for Brewers 2B Scooter Gennet
He’s not even really a starter on his own team.
That’s because top prospect Arica is up at SS (defensive stud) shifting Villar to 2b (also a stud). Scooter is an average starting 2b but there’s still value in that. He’s cheaper, younger and just as good at Utley at this point. Fill your 2b need with him via revisiting Braun trade
Plus Scooter is a lefty w/ a career .187 BA v. lefties..
Roll the dice until the July 31 trade deadline.
They made it to the NL finals with below-average second base last year.
Forsythe for a lesser package than what Minnesota wants for Dozier would be just fine.
I posted a realistic trade proposition on a separate article, but I will post it hre again because I have tweaked it a bit.
To the Dodgers: Devon Travis + Dalton Pompey + Ryan Tepera
To the Blue Jays: Yasiel Puig + Andre Ethier (+15m) + Alex Wood
I honestly believe this is more than fair for both teams and solves each teams needs.
Dodgers get an absolute stud for a 2B in Travis, A high upside prospect in Pompey and a potential impact power relief pitcher in Tepera. Tepera hasnt figured it out quite yet though. Blue jays would fill both of their OF holes, while the dodgers are able to get rid of some of Ethiers contract. Blue jays also get that Lefty reliever they so badly need. Wood can also be starting pitching depth. I really think this trade works out for both teams and is a fair deal.
What do you guys think? I want to hear from Dodgers and Jays fans.
IMO the quality of players exchanged seems to match up but salary and control don’t seem to.
No, the quality of players really doesn’t seem to matchup. The Jays are getting fleeced here.
They are taking on way too much risk in Puig bouncing back to his rookie year form, which isn’t likely to happen. At this point, you’re betting on his potential more than his substance, which is the same thing you’re doing with Pompey. He has obviously proven more than Pompey thus far, but Pompey still has a ton of potential. You aren’t getting rid of that PLUS a player like Devon Travis to take on that much risk. Devon Travis could bring back significantly more without adding the other players IMO.
Also, Ethier is nothing more than a platoon bat at this point (and a mediocre defender at best). If they want a player like that to fill one of their OF spots, they can get it for MUCH less.
You have to remember that Travis is quite injury prone as well. But fair points.
I’m neither a Dodger’s, nor Jay’s fan, but I don’t think the Jays do that. Puig’s value is low right now. Ethier’s contract is up after next year with an expensive option, or a $2.5m buyout I don’t think they want to give up Pompey for a maybe bounce back in Puig, and a player in decline in Ethier that they’ll have to find a replacement for next year.
As a Dodgers fan that’s not going to happen. I see the Jays thinking more about controllable years they’re giving up. I like the framework and Travis but realistically it doesn’t make sense. But I guess then again it depends on how the Jays value Pompey.
Here’s a trade the Dodgers and Jays could do:
Jays get Ethier, no salary relief
Dodgers get Cash considerations-1 dollar
You have the financial aspects flipped. Jays receive money needed for next year and option buyout. Dodgers receive an open roster spot and a bag of chips
It’s close, obviously the money has to be accounted for and some prospects thrown in to balance it out
Dodgers seem to be trying to reduce payroll, and after the necessities of signing Jansen, Turner, and Hill, I don’t see them signing a FA. I think it’s either a trade, or someone like Kike, and see who’s available at the deadline.
Brett Lawrie? Profar? Villar? Gennett? Hernandez? Deitrich? I would have suggested one of the Padres second base options but since they are in the division I see that as an unlikely match. But all those guys would be good for the Dodgers, some will cost more than others but none of them would cost as much as Dozier or Kinsler.
I would say that Lawrie is the type of player they are looking for. Maybe a Lawrie/Robertson trade… That I like!
Shouldn’t cost very much. Although I’m not sure Lawrie will provide too much of an upgrade for you.
Profar doesn’t hit lefties well. Both Padres 2B are left-handed hitters. Gennet is probably the worst hitter vs. LHP in baseball. Dietrich bats left. The Dodgers seem to be focused on improving their performance against LHP. Villar would cost a ton. Lawrie isn’t really any good. Hernandez might be the easiest one to get.
Half of Gennett’s career ABs vs lefties came last year, the first time he actually got consistent PT vs lefties and he slashed 260/333/708. Career line vs RHP is 294/330/777. He’s 27 next season.
They should revisit the Braun trade and land Scooter as well
There is no better outcome for LA than Dozier…
1) Power from the right side vs. lefties
2) Solid glove
3) Can bat leadoff
4) 2 years of control for $15M
5) Not asking for an extension (unlike Kinsler)
I like that the FO has stood their ground on guys like Alvarez, Buehler or Stewart, but we have got to make this trade in order to improve. Would a De Leon and Cahloun trade work? We have too many left handed bats in our farm system, and Cahloun can be Dozier’s replacement in a few years in MIN.
The twins have no use for Calhoun. If they move Dozier they slide Polanco to 2nd where he belongs long term. They are already heavy too many DH possibilities. On the surface they seem to be great trade partners but I don’t see it happening. I really get this sense the Dodgers don’t value Dozier as much as some believe they should and they were trying to buy cheap power. It didn’t happen so they’ll move on and at the deadline try to obtain Forsythe.
If they really want Dozier they should get Dipoto involved in a three way. (just kidding but he does know how to make a trade or 2 or 12)>
Can anyone explain how MLB had serious reservations about the Dodgers’ finances, yet, they go out and spend amazing amount of money to retain Hill, Turner and Jensen? (The most of any team this offseason I would guess.)
Then, they would have already had Dozier, if the Twins would take less in terms of prospects.
I suspect the Dodgers will use their financial might to again trade or sign for a marquee Second basemen.
Maybe trade Puig for Braun and trade the Dbacks for Greinke. Some crazy finances at work. They are making the Yankees and Red Soxs look tight.
The concern that MLB has is not with “Payroll”…..it’s about the long term debt that they carry. Payroll is a part of that, but they have a ton of money coming off the books before the supposed “deadline to be in compliance” ever arrives.
If they deal with their debt ratio in another way, MLB will remove the request.
…..Baseball teams are subject to a rule that “limits debt to no more than 12 times annual revenue, minus expenses,”…….Here’s the mlbtraderumors article:
mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/dodgers-must-cut-debt-t…
The problem was with the BK judge that put McCourt’s interest a head of the LAD’s; allowing for a ridiculous bidding process that had the current ownership group bidding against themselves. Mc Court got rich and the LAD got stuck with an extra 500MM in debt.
Because of the debt that they took on when acquiring the team
The problem was the debt calculator. They skewed it by spending 100MM on amateur IFA and 200MM on stadium renovations( one time expenditures) and others. So when in fact their rev to debt % would be around 8% it jumped to above the 12% limit. Pretty simply they could pay off the debt but why pay for it out of their pocket when a portion of the TV revenue is slated for it. They incurred the debt as a result of McCourts lavish spending and pouring of money into his personal accounts. They also had no need to pay of the debt up front because it would have changed their percentage of revenue sharing they were responsible for. The Dodgers also won in one aspect of the CBA due to the elimination of the performance clause in rev sharing where they will no longer have to pay out a 100% of a slated portion. They also raised ticket prices along with prices in parking etc so % rev will continue to increase and debt will continue to be chipped at. It’s also important to note that the 100MM spent in IFAs is no longer an avenue. They like many other teams simply exploited the system. It will also be a bit before another large chunk of stadium improvements occur. The FO planned to take on money while they situated themselves and now major significant money will start to fall off the books in these next two years. I don’t see them obtaining anything beyond two or three years unless it’s in the lower cost tier. If they had obtained Braun or Grienke as you suggested I can say with certainty one if not two of their big FAs would not have been resigned. Now what people jumped on was the fact that cutting payroll is probably the easiest/fastest way to lower the rev to debt ratio. So in 2015 44M against the cap will fall off and in 2016 they’re be 60M against the cap falling off. If the Dodgers has any financial concerns going forward you would have seen such in the deference of contracts like Kaz.
Brett Lawrie for Trace Thompson!
Infante? Frazier to play 3B with Turner at 2B. Could just sign Luis V. Brock Holt?
Infante was a MiLB signing by the tigers. I could see them looking into Valbuena if his price drop to a one year rebuild type deal. I also see them going the Utley route if they can’t buy cheap on a 2b upgrade.
Holt hits L and the Red Sox need him to back up all over the diamond. They could have just claimed Rutledge when he was on waivers and later in the rule 5 draft .
Just resign Utley and see who’s available at the Trade deadline. It still wouldn’t surprise me if in the end they end up getting Dozier
Eric Sogard?
He’s legitimately worse than the awful in-house options they already have.
I see them going out and getting Forsyth for some prospects and they Rays could move Franklin to 2nd to replace him.
I concur. How about Forsyth and Faria for Verduga and Barnes?
Pretty sure they would stick Miller there and grab Moss type for 1st.
Starlin Castro and Gardner for De Leon
Why do people keep suggesting a CF in a deal? Pederson is very good defensively, and can Mash vs RHP.
Gardner is a LF.
Yeah another OF that they don’t need. That’s just not going to happen especially.
Castro isn’t good. Your proposals are all just yankees cast offs for other teams quality
Lot of value disparity there..
I don’t see the Dodgers giving Kinsler a contract extension & he has said that he wants that if he is to waive his no=trade. That could kill that prospect. Forsythe may be the best option on the trade market, but it wouldn’t shock me if they just re-signed Utley.
Van Slyke and DeLeon and 2nd level prospect to the Cards for Wong and Rosenthal
Why would the dodgers give up that much?
Don’t see that as too much for LA – DeLeon does have potential – Van Slyke is a journeyman-Wong is good glove decent hitter
Kinsler does seem to make the most sense.
1. Not nearly the price tag in trade as Dozier.
2. Tigers would be motivated as they that have both Iglesias and Machado for the middle infield.
The only problem is that Kinsler will want some compensation as he has a no-trade clause to the Dodgers. Probably have to give him another 2-3 year extension to keep get him.
Here’s the issue no one knows his demands. He doesn’t really have a clear comp as to what his market value is. So in terms of Kinsler do you use Zobrist as his closest comp? He signed at 4/56 last year at the same age as Kinsler is now. Granted he would want insurances to stay at 2nd so he’s not necessarily a clean comp, as Zobrist doesn’t mind bumping around the diamond. So I’m not sure they want to add the extra two years. Now if they can guarantee 18
Castro to the Dodgers for either de Leon or two pitching prospects makes sense. While it seems like he’s been around forever he’s only 26 under contract for another 4 years. Much younger than Kinsler whose best days will be behind him and only under contract for two years when forced to pick up his option. Plus a hefty extension. While Dozier is also older by 6 years I believe instead of kinslers 8. Under contract for another 2 years. De Leon for an improving still young Castro straight up or two pitching prospects when you think of it actually makes some sense. He hits from the right which is a dodger need I believe. Hit .280 with what 21 home runs last year and played in 151 games. He’d fit in nicely on the Dodgers. Yankees would get to play Reynsdorf who hasn’t really had a chance to show if he can do anything for this season and more if possible. If not they have Torres for next season and other young infielders. They in turn get pitchers which is what they need. In a way it’s a win win. Just cause Castro is a Yankee doesn’t mean he’s a cast off or not good. He’d be much better than Logan Forsyth ever will be. But there is a lot of anti Yankee bias here so you’ll all shoot this down.
Twins want more than the Dodgers are willing to give. Tigers want bellinger which won’t happen. I feel like Forsythe would have been Freidmans first option cause he loves his homeboys. Option D, Willie Calhoun.
Kinsler has been a 5 and above win player for the last three years. Bellinger is a reasonable ask to start with.
He’s also going to be 35 years old in June… That’s not going to bring you back a 21 year old top prospect (or shouldn’t, at least), unless I somehow missed Dave Stewart taking a job in the Dodgers front office this offseason…
Haha!
Hwang is out there. They could move him or Turner to 2B.
Cesar Hernandez for Either’s contract and De Leon OR Alvarez—(notice I said or not and)
Dodgers get a second baseman and salary relief
Phillies move Howie to second, fill in left field and get a solid pitching prospect.
If the Dodgers were gonna do De Leon for 2 years of Dozier
I feel like De Leon for 4 years of Hernandez AND a crap ton of salary relief would be cool
While he is not often talked about, Hernandez posted a 3.3 WAR in 2016 while hitting .294/.371/.393 with a league leading 11 triples.
The reason for the big return is that the Phillies have no need to trade him unless they can get something good back and I feel like that package is realistic enough.
This actually makes some sense, though I think the Dodgers would probably have to send some cash with Ethier, given how little he was able to play last season.
Cash, or another arm. De Jong? Ravin? Oaks? Something along those lines.
Maybe, something like that. The Dodgers are so in need of top-of-the order bats. Kinsler would be my first choice but Hernandez might even be a better one in some respects.
I would keep Ethier who potentially could be the starting LF and trade a lesser prospect for Hernandez. Dodgers will not switch prospects for money.
Hernandez would be a nice fit though.
Eithier won’t start the starting outfield will be some combination of Peterson Toels Puig and Thompson
Thompson won’t be ready for awhile I thought?
Then it would be Peterson Puig and Toels
They could also try to deal Kazmir at a big discount.
Anyone have any ideas for the basis of a kinsler trade?
Few likely contenders really need him and he has a no trade clause to LA, the one club with actual need. Also, teams not on his no trade list would probably pay more than the Dodgers(who have to add the extra cost of an extension).
What if they traded for Gyorko or Jose Reyes? They are potential fits too
They cancelled a trade for Chapman last year because of the DV case. Doubt they’d go after another toxic asset like Reyes. Gyorko makes some sense as St Louis has plenty of infielders but he’s not a great defensive second baseman and there are some holes in his offensive game.
Kinsler makes the most sense. Give him an extension of 2 years but the 2nd is team option. With $ buy out if declined. JDL has to be the main piece in any trade for 2B. Wouldn’t mind seeing JDL , Lux , Farmer , and the PTBNL from Braves get traded for 2B and a bullpen arm.
DeLeon to the Braves for Albies?
Starlin Castro, please.
Please as a Yankees fan or a Dodgers fan? Who should we send back? Let me guess would it have to start with Joc Pederson?
I’ve yet to hear this option throughout all discussion, but it seems feasible by all accounts: Willie Calhoun.
Perhaps I’m looking at this from the perspective of a dynasty league owner, but last offseason I targeted Trevor Story as a minor league player with potential to have impact in the majors from jump street (Reyes was going to be suspended and only Christian Adames sat ahead of him on the Rox depth chart). Granted, Story’s impact was much more than I could have predicted.
With LAD having some potential payroll restrictions and getting low-balled for their top tier prospects, the cheapest and possibly best option is prospect 2b Willie Calhoun.
Though I don’t think Calhoun will slug 20 homers by the All-Star break like Story, I think he could provide some quality play at 2b. Besides, when was the last time a team missed out on the playoffs because of shoddy play at second?
Calhoun – and some NRIs – could at least do a sufficient job until the All-Star break and if it’s still an area of need, then they could trade a YDiaz, YSierra, YAlvarez or other prospect for the best available 2b.
#CalhounIn2017
Does your fantasy league consider defense? If so, you don’t want Calhoun. The guy committed 21 errors in only 119 games. That’s atrocious, just awful…
Defense is definitely a non-factor in fantasy.
However, Calhoun can more than make up for poor defense with his bat, potentially.
I don’t think you realize how bad 21 errors in 119 games is… If you do the math, it’s about 28 errors in a full season, which is like historically bad…like the most any 2nd baseman has ever made since the 1950’s.
The Dodgers don’t need a superstar at every position. What they should be trying to do is just find someone capable of filling the hole in the lineup for a year and then go after Forsyth or Lawrie(the CHW one) who are both FA’s next year or trade for one of them at the deadline. I say they go out and grab someone like Jase Pererson maybe who can hold his own at 2nd for a little bit but the Dodgers would be smart to hold on to their young players because there will soon be a point where they can’t just throw big money at stars and have them come to LA. So I think they go with a stop gap option for now. Especially with how close we are to spring training. If they were going to land a major piece they would have already done it in my opinion. And Reyes has moved on and so has Chapman so I think looking back at it I think the Dodgers wish they hadn’t canceled the Chapman deal and they need a lead off guy which Reyes is and he is getting force out of his role in NY by the Mets young stars so I think they go with a cheap option now and upgrade either at the deadline or next offseason
At the beginning of the off-season and without any consideration for any real factors, I thought Oakland’s Marcus Semien might be the ideal solution to the Dodgers 2B vacancy…
I believe that the Dodges want a better than average defensive 2B to protect their pitchers and match up well with SS Corey Seager.
Another option is that instead of ” going big”, the Dodgers could either create “in-house” or via trade a super-sub type player like the Brewers’ Hernan Perez or someone like the Nat’s Wilmer Difo.
My vote was for “A player currently in the organization”.
The obvious choice would seem to be trading for Brandon Phillips. It would seem like a win for everyone concerned. For CIN, the benefits are obvious. They’re rebuilding, & have an heir to 2B (Peraza) who looks like he’s ready to play everyday, so getting anything for Phillips is a win. Plus, moving Phillips would cut payroll…
For LAD, they’d get a 2nd baseman who can still hit & has always hit lefties well. Given CIN’s desire to move him, he wouldn’t cost LAD much, & as a FA, wouldn’t be a long-term investment.
Phillips would get to play for a contender (something he has only done 4x in his 11 yrs. w/ CIN), & would walk in as the starting 2nd baseman w/o a MLB-ready prospect waiting to push him out.
CIN has been trying to move Phillips for yrs now, but Phillips has always invoked his no-trade clause. The difference btn now & previous seasons is that for the 1st time Phillips is in danger of losing playing time b/c of his declining skills & the ascendance of Peraza. For this reason, Phillips may be more willing to waive his no=trade clause now. He did block a trade to ATL earlier this off-season yr., but ATL had just signed Sean Rodriguez & already has Jace Peterson on their roster. Both are younger, super-utility players who have played a lot (if not mostly) at 2B, & in Rodriguez’s case, is a better bat than Phillips at this pt in his career. ATL is also in re-build mode…
As mentioned, LAD’s situation is vastly different. LAD is a WS contender who can offer Phillips virtually no competition for the everyday 2B job. With that in mind, Phillips might be more willing to waive the no-trade clause to go to LA than he was to go to ATL.
Phillips is also apparently angling for an extension with a trade. That’s more of a barrier to a deal for Phillips than it would be for Kinsler.
Phillips wanted an extension last season when he killed a trade to WAS, but the situation is different this season. Last season, Phillips didn’t have anyone threatening to take playing time away from him. Peraza was a 21 yr. old, who some thought was at least a yr. away from breaking into the bigs. Then he went out & hit .324/.352/.411 in 72 games. He probably won’t hit that well over a full season, but you have to believe that CIN is going to give him every chance to play everyday. That probably hurts Cozart more than Phillips, but it probably also means Peraza gets more starts at 2B, too. Does that cost Phillips 20+ games or 100+ ABs? Maybe… Phillips is in his walk year, so refusing to waive his no-trade is a power play to get another contract w/o the uncertainty of free agency. BUT losing playing time could hurt his marketability in free agency, too.
When it comes down to it & if no team is willing to give him an extension to trade for him (as has been the case up to now), his options are to: (1) Play out the yr. for a rebuilding team w/ the possibility of losing ABs to Peraza, or (2) Accept a trade to a contender like LAD, be their everyday 2nd baseman while showcasing your skills on a bigger stage, & then hit free agency. The choice seems pretty clear…
It might seem clear to us, but Phillips probably isn’t looking forward to his walk year so much. Given his age, he’s probably setting the priority of squeezing as much as he can out of his current contract, using what leverage his 10-5 right give him.
What about moving Turner to second and acquiring a 3rd baseman? Turner can play second
Even if they don’t trade for a good 2B The Dodgers will still have the 3rd, 2nd, or best record in the NL, make the playoffs, go to the LCS and possibly win it all. So Dozier, Phillips or Kinsler will help…. a LOT.
It seems foolish to me that LA wouldn’t be willing to part with ANY of those remaining prospects. Until now, I understand Friedman’s process. Seeing that no real market has developed for Dozier and the Dodgers have been the Twins’ only suitor, it’s made sense that Friedman would try to get into a staring contest with new Twins POBO Derek Falvey by only offering De Leon. But the offseason is winding down and it’s become clear that the Twins are not going to accept a 1 for 1 offer. And, quite honestly, they shouldn’t accept that. Brian Dozier is an all star caliber talent and he’s worth more than just Jose De Leon. I commend Friedman’s patience in trying to sweat out the Twins new front office, but it’s time to give in and make the deal.
Why would LAD sweeten the pot when no market has developed for Dozier? Friedman would just be bidding against himself. Plus, realistically, LAD is in a better position than MIN. Reason being, LAD doesn’t NEED Dozier to contend for the division. They’re going to be in the thick of the playoff race & can swing a deal to fill a need mid-season like they did last year. There’s always a team or 2 that unexpectedly falters, & then looks to dump vets. Maybe BAL regresses & looks to trade JJ Hardy. Maybe it’s the Mets & the try to trade Neil Walker… Or what if 1 of LAD’s internal options like Hernandez or Taylor pans out? Both are young & have shown flashes of being productive MLB players in the past… Then LAD is no longer in the market at all. Bottom line is LAD has options & shouldn’t be pressured into overpaying to make a move right now.
On the other hand, 2017 is yet another rebuilding season for MIN, so having Dozier on the roster does them no good. Plus, trading Dozier now would be selling high. He had a career yr. last yr.; setting career highs in BA, HRs, RBIs, & SLG. all by wide margins. Can he do it again? If he can, MIN is fine. But if he reverts to his pre-2016 form, he’s still a fine player, but he doesn’t have the value that he does right now. That’s the gamble MIN is taking…& really, the odds are against them. If you look at his numbers, Dozier was absolutely on fire in Aug. & the 1st couple wks of Sept. But outside of that hot stretch, his numbers were pretty much in line w/ his career numbers. So the odds of him regressing are better than not…
I agree, the Dodgers need to trade for Dozier, throw in another prospect, you can replace him in June. Time to make a deal.
Adding a second prospect would be fine, but adding specifically Alvarez or Buehler in addition would be insane. Stewart is a bit greedy too especially since he may figure into the Dodgers immediate needs.
From the sound of the report Minnesota wants one of those 3.
I completely disagree this team is good enough as is to compete. But this rotation and OF compilation might not have the ability to hold up until the deadline or underperform again. So just make a deal at the deadline. Re up and piece meal 2b then assess the needs at the deadline. I applaud the FO for not caving. Granted then again I’m not high on Dozier for this team.
Is there a way to re access the poll results n check out what everyone thinks? I’m pretty sure the results are the same, I just wanna see the numbers
The poll numbers look like they’re automatically updated, so if you vote again or click “View Results,” you should see updated results.
I hope the angels are still considering dozier. I know that espinosa came to LA, but still dozier would be a massive upgrade to escobar or espinosa. Calhoun could go and revere moves to RF.(although i love Cal) And shoemaker or skaggs gets sent to the twins with calhoun.
Oh boys that’s just not going to happen they are all already in arb. Defeats the purpose of a rebuilding team. It’s just not going to happen for the Angels. They are all super 2 arb guys also I believe so they are going to be extremely expensive. So yeah….
Brett Lawrie from the white sox is available.
Didn’t the dodgers just dump Micah Johnson too ? I would think he’s exactly what they are looking for…speed at the top with a .280 BA
They’ll trade Kershaw, Jansen, Turner, and Seager for Cesar Hernandez.
What ever happened to Jackie Robinson being their second baseman?
LA should have signed Will Middlebrooks! But Texas grabbed him. He’s back to his days of a Too Prospect and way better. They should trade for him now. Because he’s gonna cost a lot more later.