An Early Look at the Los Angeles Dodgers' Top Offseason Targets
The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to go deep into October. With the highest payroll in baseball history, anything short of a World Series berth will be considered a disappointment in the City of Angels.
How the team fares down the stretch of the 2014 campaign should also determine what kind of offseason lies ahead for the Boys in Blue.
The Dodgers have a relatively inflexible roster, with many players signed to multiyear deals that do not come off the books for a few more seasons.
However, that doesn’t mean general manager Ned Colletti won’t shake things up if he feels his team is underachieving.
The bullpen has been a recurring issue for the Dodgers all year long, marred by a lack of consistency that could easily befall a World Series favorite such Los Angeles. The back end of the starting rotation is in flux, plus players like Yasiel Puig and free-agent-to-be Hanley Ramirez have regressed from a season ago.
These question marks—while muddying the Dodgers’ current outlook—may actually help focus the team’s offseason approach come November.
Here’s an early look at which players might make the most sense for Los Angeles to pursue over the winter.
Reliable Relief
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J.P. Howell
The Dodgers' most consistent relief pitcher in 2014 has been left-hander J.P. Howell, who will become a free agent after the season. He leads the team with 25 holds and owns a pristine 1.21 ERA in 44 innings pitched. It will be imperative for Los Angeles to bring back its most dependable option out of the bullpen.
Luke Gregerson
Luke Gregerson has been a key contributor to a top-five bullpen in terms of opponent batting average with Oakland this season. The right-hander's personal 2.36 ERA so far this season is even lower than his fine career ERA of 2.80. The soon-to-be free agent is a former San Diego Padre who has experience in the National League West and could help solidify the shaky back end of the Dodgers bullpen.
Francisco Rodriguez
Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti has shown a recent penchant for trying to convert former closers into setup men. This season, he attempted it with Brian Wilson and Chris Perez to no avail. Both relievers have ERAs over 4.50. But now that K-Rod is set to become a free agent, perhaps the third time's the charm?
Rodriguez (3.00 ERA, 39 saves) has turned in a superb year as Milwaukee's closer. He is different than Wilson and Perez in that he would potentially go straight from successful closer to Los Angeles setup man. Wilson needed to recover from Tommy John surgery, and Perez had previously been relieved of his closing duties in Cleveland due to struggles both on and off the field.
Better Backstop
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Big league catchers are held to a lesser standard when it comes to offense. They don't necessarily need to hit. Calling a good game and managing a pitching staff are more valuable qualities.
But when a team's catchers rank dead last with a combined .186 batting average, it may be time for a change—no matter how good they are behind the plate.
A.J. Ellis, the Dodgers' current backstop, has been a great pitch-caller throughout his career and is well-liked in the clubhouse. But this season, he is becoming more of a liability. Unable to crack the Mendoza Line at the plate, Ellis can't even hang his hat on his defense anymore, as he has only thrown out 20 percent of those trying to swipe a bag.
The MLB leader when it comes to shutting down the running game this year? It's Russell Martin, the former Dodger who just happens to be a free agent after the season. He's also batting a healthy .288 on the season with eight home runs, more than all Los Angeles catchers have combined to hit in 2014.
It's probably the Dodgers' best bet to bring back their 2002 draft pick for a second tour of duty.
Long-Term Lefty
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Jon Lester will be the most sought-after left-handed pitcher on the free-agent market this winter, and the Dodgers will surely be in the mix.
Los Angeles was discussed as a possible destination for the veteran southpaw at the trade deadline, but the Red Sox ultimately shipped him to Oakland in a deal that has seemingly sapped the A's of their offense.
The Red Sox remain confident that they can re-sign Lester this offseason, but the deep-pocketed Dodgers may have something to say about that Beantown reunion.
After Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the strength of the Dodgers rotation falls off considerably. Dan Haren probably won't be back next season, and Josh Beckett may have already thrown his last pitch in the big leagues.
The Dodgers could very well view Lester as the perfect arm to add to their rotation, and they certainly hold the financial edge over most other teams in the impending sweepstakes.
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Right-Handed Rock
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While Lester will be the top lefty on the free-agent market, Max Scherzer will be the most coveted right-hander.
Los Angeles should value Scherzer more than Lester because the 2013 Cy Young Award winner offers the team a second right-hander in the rotation alongside Zack Greinke. The Dodgers already have two proven lefties in Kershaw and Ryu.
Scherzer cut off extension negotiations with the Tigers before the season, preferring to weigh his options in free agency. Once again, obtaining the talented pitcher's service may come down to whichever team offers him the most lucrative deal.
He owns a 15-5 record with a 3.25 ERA for Detroit this season and ranks second in baseball with 226 strikeouts.
Hometown Hero?
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Could Giancarlo Stanton realistically come home to Los Angeles?
The MVP candidate and native of Southern California will be a free agent following the 2015 season. But with the lowest payroll in baseball, the Miami Marlins may not want to make the long-term commitment to Stanton. According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (subscription required), the outfielder's next contract is expected to be in the $250-300 million range.
The Dodgers definitely have the money to throw at Stanton, but their outfield is already overcrowded. In order to bring in Stanton, Colletti would most likely be required to send elite assets Miami's way.
And with a player like Stanton, everybody should be on the table.
Even Yasiel Puig.
That's right, if the Marlins request Puig in a package for Stanton, the Dodgers should absolutely do it.
It must be noted that Stanton will be just 25 years old next season. He hasn't even entered his prime, which is scary. What better place for him to reach his peak than his hometown.
The deal would be a win-win for both teams. Besides freeing up an outfield spot for Stanton, Puig would relish the opportunity to play in Miami, a city with rich Cuban culture and less media scrutiny than Los Angeles.
All stats courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.
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