Dodgers: 5 Moves That Will Instantly Improve the Team

The Dodgers seem to have finally hit their stride. Before Sunday’s game, they had won 12 of their last 15. The jump start is largely owed to the outstanding contributions of Cody Bellinger and Alex Wood. With Andrew Toles’ injury and Wood’s resurgence, there are certain moves the Dodgers should make to maintain their high ride.

The Dodgers‘ front office has been reluctant to give out lucrative contracts in free agency or make the “big splash” via a trade. This method has proven to work so far.

Keeping Cody Bellinger rather than trading him and Jose De Leon for Brian Dozier looks to have been proven success in the early going. Acquiring Alex Wood is also proving its worth.

Not only does this save money, but it also provides roster flexibility. With fewer big names, players can move around on the field and on and off the roster. This has proven to be crucial with all the injuries the Dodgers have faced so far. There is a “next man up” mentality to this team that has been absent for a long time.

Everything seems to be clicking right now, but there is no doubt that the Dodgers can take it up a notch. Here are five ways Los Angeles can improve, or at least keep up their momentum.

Do not trade for big name

The first move the Dodgers need to make is in fact not a move at all. Even with Toles down, the Dodgers do not need to go out and acquire a big name from what it looks like at the moment. The outfield is fine because Cody Bellinger was the emergency plan in left. Los Angeles seems to have a fluid starting rotation as well finally so looking for an ace should not be a priority. The Dodgers have a tremendous farm system which they should rely on from here on out, not deplete it.

The Dodgers went into the season tempted to shop for a right-handed bat if they continued to struggle against left-handed pitching. However, they seemed to have improved. The Dodgers are third in runs scored against southpaws, fourth in hits, and second in doubles. This is not a limited sample size as they’ve predictably seen the third-most lefties in the majors.

A big reason for the success is the right-handed hitters for Los Angeles are doing their jobs. Justin Turner, Logan Forsythe, Chris Taylor, and Franklin Gutierrez are all hitting at least .300 against lefties. Even Cody Bellinger has surprisingly held his own against them.

If they continue their success and get a big bat like Corey Seager to improve against the lefties, there is no need to shop for another bat. However, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t shop for a right-handed bat at all. There are still a few positions where the Dodgers have not found a solution to left-handed pitching in house. A rental option for a part-time bat, like Franklin Gutierrez, should suffice. At this point, the Dodgers should focus on getting younger since they’ve tied themselves up with the off-season re-signings, who are over 30 or quickly approaching it.

Answer the Yasiel Puig question

Oh, the ever-present question of what to do with Yasiel Puig. It’s true that he’s improved this season, but the question remains if he should be a mainstay in the Dodgers’ lineup. He’s shown power, hitting seven bombs and about a dozen other “almost bombs.” He also leads the team in RBI and is second in walks. However, he is also first in strikeouts, and all of his success has come off right-handed pitching. He’s hitting below the Mendoza line against lefties.

There’s no question he’s been productive but is it enough from a corner outfield position on the Los Angeles Dodgers? It’s still early to tell, but Dave Roberts is letting the Cuban showcase his abilities. He trails Seager by eight plate appearances for the team lead.

His arm is irreplaceable, but it’s not right to have a right-handed outfielder produce so little against left-handed pitching. Unless improvements are made, the Dodgers may need to find a better replacement. A possible solution may be to use Puig against righties and Franklin Gutierrez against lefties. If the Dodgers decide to search the market, the front office has proven its ability to find the best bang for its buck. Some names to throw out there are Hunter Renfroe and Aaron Altherr. There is also the Andrew McCutchen alternative which seems unlikely and ill-advised given his steady decline since his MVP season.

Keep Yasmani Grandal left-handed

Following a slow April, “Yaz” is heating up in May. He’s in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak in which he’s raised his average by over 50 points. During Spring Training, I predicted that Grandal would hit around .290 with less power, and his May hitting is shaping up to be that way. There is a problem though; all of this production is coming from the left side of the plate.

Grandal hit homers from both sides of the plate on Opening Day, but since then that’s been it as a right-handed hitter. The ex-San Diego Padre has found most of his success as a left-handed hitter throughout his career, which makes one wonder if he should just stay that way.

Offense is not the priority for catchers, so it’s hard to suggest him splitting time with another catcher who hits lefties better, but it may be an option later in the season.

The Dodgers’ front office proved they were willing for Grandal to share time when they brought Carlos Ruiz over last year. So far, Grandal’s been the shot caller behind the plate, with Austin Barnes serving as his backup. The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox each have two catchers that can hit lefties, but it may be hard to pry them away. The addition of a backup catcher also provides Dave Roberts flexibility with his bench which he demonstrated in the 2016 Postseason.

Barnes had done relatively well, hitting .275 in 40 at-bats with his highlight being a dramatic walk-off against the Pittsburgh Pirates. If Barnes keeps his numbers up, he could be the guy against lefties in September and October.

Maximize Cody Bellinger and Adrian Gonzalez

The last move the Dodgers should make could be under scrutiny in the future if it fails, and that is to use The Kid. Cody Bellinger has been in the majors less than a month, but he’s proved he can hit major league pitching well. He will eventually struggle, as pitchers will fill the book on him, but being too cautious can be detrimental as well.

The original plan was to have him share some of the load with Adrian Gonzalez at first but also play some outfield. However, that plan went out the door when Andrew Toles was done for the season. Now the Dodgers need a starting left-fielder, and it doesn’t look like Andre Ethier is returning anytime soon. Rather than stick him in a platoon, the Dodgers shouldn’t hold back on Bellinger. Make him the starting left-fielder.

The rookie is also a gifted defensive first baseman, but the Dodgers already have a tremendous first baseman in Adrian Gonzalez.

The “butter and egg” man has been anything but, so far this season though, although nagging injuries could’ve been the culprit. Once he returns, the Dodgers need to play him almost every game. Gonzalez has insisted and proven that he does better when he gets consistent playing time. The injury and spotty playing time may have been the reason for his early season struggles.

Next: Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw is Yet to Find His Groove

Those are the five moves the Dodgers need to make to improve their newly found stride. The Colorado Rockies are a game-and-a-half up, and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down, especially when playing the Dodgers. Therefore, the Dodgers need to execute these five steps to leapfrog over them and lock down control of the West.