Big Moves the Los Angeles Dodgers Could Actually Pull off This Offseason

For a team with $182.5 million already committed to the 2015 roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers actually have a surprising amount of flexibility. They have a couple veteran outfielders they need to get rid of, a massive budget and a farm system that is finally bearing fruit.

Whether or not the new front office will want to make a massive deal is up in the air, but it certainly has the resources to do so.

Andre Ethier and/or Carl Crawford are likely to be dealt relatively soon. If that happens, a couple 25-man roster spots will be open. Once the roster spots are available, the Dodgers will be able to slot expensive players in because of their budget: Even though it is currently in the $180 million range, it was over $200 million this past season. So there is clearly room to add.

And the farm system currently has more high-end talent than it has had for several years, including several players talented enough to headline major deals.

Signing Russell Martin

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Whether or not this qualifies as a big move depends on your perspective. Russell Martin is a very good player who put up 5.3 WAR this past season, but that included the best offensive year of his career. Realistically, he is probably more of a four-win player. But he has gotten a boost from the improved understanding of catcher framing statistics.

In 2014, Martin ranked sixth in framing runs added, while Dodgers incumbent A.J. Ellis was 99th. The new Dodgers front office is certainly aware of the developments in this field, and it understands the importance of catcher framing. Adding Martin would make a ton of sense.

Trading for Giancarlo Stanton

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Is this likely? No, of course not. Giancarlo Stanton’s most likely destination for Opening Day 2015 remains Miami. However, if Stanton and the Marlins cannot agree on an extension by spring training, the big right fielder could certainly be made available.

Stanton has been linked to the Dodgers in the past, and the loaded farm system could contain the prospects necessary to make such a deal. It might take all three of Corey Seager, Joc Pederson and Julio Urias to acquire Stanton, but the scenario is certainly within the realm of imagination.

Signing Yasmany Tomas

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Yasmany Tomas is this year’s high-profile Cuban free agent, and the Dodgers have expressed interest in signing the outfielder. They attended an official workout, and while they are not the favorite, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that they could throw an obscene amount of money at an international free agent.

They do have a track record of signing expensive foreign imports—Yasiel Puig and Hyun-jin Ryu—but neither of those players cost what Tomas is expected to go for.