Dodgers: Options to Fill the Dodgers’ Left Field Hole

Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins

Whenever the Dodgers and Marlins are put in the same sentence, everyone’s mind will immediately jump to Giancarlo Stanton and rightfully so. He’s the reigning NL MVP who Miami is looking to unload because of his contract. And he’s from LA, grew up a Dodgers fan and his friends believe he wants a return home as well.

But if the Dodgers do not want to go all in for Stanton, they should look for Miami’s other big fish, Marcell Ozuna. Ozuna is coming off a breakout year where he hit .312/.376/.548 with 37 home runs, an elite 145 OPS+ and the National League Gold Glove in left field. And at 27 years of age, he is entering his prime.

He is entering his second year of arbitration and is under team control through 2019. He’s going to be looking for a raise these next two years, but it should be team-friendly, considering the money the Dodgers have coming off the books.

Probably the best thing about the two time All-Star is he is coming off a season that saw him play in all but three games. Since 2014, he’s played 153 games, 123 games, 148 games and 159 games. Save for 2015, he has not missed any significant time.

He might cost a hefty penny, but if the Marlins are looking into a firesale and full-scale rebuild, he could be acquired for cheaper. And with the depth the Dodgers have, they would not be able to give up their best young players when trading with a new ownership group looking to start from scratch. Ozuna may be the best option.

Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics

No one is ever going to accuse Khris Davis of good contact skills or defense. But what we will laud him for is his tremendous power. Playing in a pitcher’s park the last two seasons, Davis has tallied campaigns of 42 home runs in 2016 and 43 in 2017.

And before that, he hit 22 in 2014 and 27 in 2015. In 2013 he hit 11 in just 153 plate appearances. He does strikeout a lot (29.9%) but also has a good walk rate (11.2%). And let’s be honest, if we are going to let Joc Pederson slide with bad strikeout numbers up until this year, why can’t we be happy with a guy with a much better slash line and more power?

He hit .247/.336/.528 last season. He may not make a lot of contact, but when he does, he makes the most of it with a 42.1% hard contact rate and just 13.5% soft contact rate. And that .864 OPS looks so much better than what Los Angeles received from their guys in 2017.

He is bad on defense, but left field is one of the two places you hide your worst defenders. And with a bat like his, the defensive shortcomings may be overlooked.

A’s president Billy Beane is known for flipping his best players for young players or prospects before they get too expensive, and in recent years. And like Ozuna, Davis is entering his second year or arbitration and is under team control through 2019.

When Beane traded Josh Donaldson after 2014, the return was underwhelming for a guy who’d eventually win an MVP player. The Dodgers can look at that and use that trade as a parameter. Davis is nowhere near the player Donaldson is, so LA shouldn’t have to give up an elite prospect.

If Beane wants to maximize the value for Davis, now would be the ideal time.

There was a time when Ryan Braun looked likely to head to Los Angeles. Now? Not so much. Never say never, but the combination of his age, contract, and diminishing skills make him an unneeded piece to the Dodgers 2018 World Series puzzle.

He was limited to 104 games but was solid in those games. But if you are going to pay a guy possibly $71 million through 2021, you want more than solid. And injuries are going to get more likely each year.

However, with a young team that almost made the playoffs last year, Milwaukee may want to clear some payroll for the future. Combine this with a glut of young and talented outfielders in the majors and minors, Braun may ultimately be the odd man out. And whenever a Braun trade is in discussion, Los Angeles will always be in the discussion.

Yoenis Cespedes

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This is a move that would almost rival adding Stanton. Cespedes is one of the premier hitters in baseball and is under contract through 2020. However, he is 32 and due $87.5 million over the next three seasons. And he’s dealt with injuries the last two seasons and played just 81 games last year so that that is something to keep an eye on.

However, his bat is terrific and putting him in a lineup where he doesn’t have to carry a bunch of “okay” hitters may help relieve him of some pressure. The New York Mets stink and may be looking to move players in hopes of another quick reload.

And Cespedes may be the most valuable piece that they may be willing to move. Their ace pitchers are off the market for now, as is outfielder Michael Conforto. But Cespedes may be the missing bat for a championship team and would instantly boost a dangerous Los Angeles lineup.

Imagine Chris Taylor-Corey Seager-Justin Turner-Cody Bellinger-Yoenis Cespedes-Yasiel Puig. And he’d fit in seamlessly on defense. While he has played center field for the Mets over the past few seasons, his best position is left field. He’s a below average center fielder at best but terrific in left.

He won’t require the farm, but the Dodgers have the excess pieces to get the Mets to eat some of the contract. Even if you don’t like this move, remember, it’s just an idea.

Next: Cody Bellinger's 2017 Season grade

The Dodgers don’t have too many holes to fill but left field is one of the few. There are quality options available out there, and it’s up to the Dodgers to inquire about them. A move for one of these players is not a necessity but would be a massive boost to their World Series Aspirations.