FanSided Mock Off-Season: Dodgers Re-Sign Morrow and Culberson

Disclaimer: This is a FanSided Mock off-season and does not reflect an actual transaction by the Dodgers.  Brandon Morrow and Charlie Culberson are still free agents.

As Mentioned yesterday, all of FanSided’s  baseball site experts for all teams are participating in a mock winter meeting to simulate where all the free agents will sign and also come up with potential trades that are based off the needs of each team.  While this is a fun activity for all of us to participate in, please remember these do not reflect real MLB transactions.

The Dodgers came to terms with Brandon Morrow on a new two year deal worth 18 million in the first Dodger transaction of the mock off-season.  The deal includes a third-year option worth 6 million that includes one million dollars in incentives if Morrow reaches 40 and 50 innings pitched.  What we found interesting is that there was virtually no interest in Morrow from other teams.  Cesar and I were willing to offer up to 2 years 24 million for Morrow, but due to the lack of offers, Morrow settled for nine million dollars a season.

In our second transaction of the mock winter meetings, the Dodgers re-signed Charlie Culberson to a two year 2 million dollar deal. Culberson had an equivalent offer from the Boston Red Sox but decided to stay with the Dodgers due to his enjoyment of the Dodgers clubhouse culture and Manager Dave Roberts.  Culberson is guaranteed a roster spot and is the Dodgers primary shortstop backup who could get a good amount of playing time if Seager’s elbow continues to be an issue.

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On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Dodgers have lost Yu Darvish and Tony Watson in the mock winter meetings.  Watson signed a two year 18 million dollar deal with the Minnesota Twins who surprisingly offered him their closer role.  He also gets a third-year option for 8 million.  Darvish signed a massive deal with the Seattle Mariners for five years and 133 million dollars.  His deal includes annual opt-outs.

The Dodgers also lost out on the Shohei Ohtani bidding to the Seattle Mariners.  Our main pitch was that the city of Los Angeles has a big Japanese population and Dodger fan base.  We also let him know that the Dodgers have had success with many Asian imports like Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu who would help him acclimate to the big leagues.  Another pitch was that the Dodgers offer him the biggest chance of winning a championship and that he would feel less pressure since Clayton Kershaw is the ace of the staff.  Ultimately it wasn’t enough, and Ohtani went to the Mariners.

Ideally, in this mock off-season, we will be able to add another solid bullpen option for the seventh inning setup role and another starting pitcher for depth purposes.  Due to the amount of money being thrown at starting pitchers, Cesar and I decided it was best not to pursue a big name starting pitcher.  That doesn’t mean we won’t sign one though.  The mock winter meetings end later this week so we will keep scouring the free agent market and trade block.

Next: Should the Dodgers sit tight and do nothing this winter?

Do you agree with the moves we have made so far?  Who would you pursue if you were in charge of the Dodgers off-season?  Let us know in the comments, and we might just pursue your trade idea if it makes sense for the Dodgers.