Dodgers: Ranking the Most Expendable Players on the Team

Hyun-Jin Ryu/Scott Kazmir/Brandon McCarthy

Remember the guy in the picture? Ya, well, he is still around, but should not be. And it is hard to separate Ryu, Kazmir, and McCarthy from each other because they are in eerily similar situations. Either of the three in Hyun-Jin Ryu, Scott Kazmir, and Brandon McCarthy should be viewed expendable. They may not have much value, but the Dodgers could help with that if they eat a lot of the money.

The trio is entering contract years, and expiring contracts are always valuable trade chips in sports. That and the Dodgers may just want to move on from them and see what they can get for any of them before they (most likely) let them walk.

And the fact that all three have had injury problems in recent years and have been dead weight financially, the front office may feel that moving on from them and relieving themselves from the financial burden as soon as possible.

Even with Yu Darvish’s likely departure, Los Angeles still has Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Alex Wood, Walker Buehler, Ross Stripling, Kenta Maeda, and possibly Trevor Oaks, all competing for starting spots. Add in these three, and you have perhaps ten guys for five spots, not to mention the possible return of Julio Urias later in the season.

Thus, there is no glaring need for Ryu, Kazmir, or McCarthy. It would be nice to see Ryu stay, but Kazmir and McCarthy have done more harm than good for the Dodgers at this point in their Dodger tenures. And if the Dodgers can land Ohtani, it’s a good bet that one of the starters are moved. It’s only a matter of time before they leave. Just up to the front office if they want to do it earlier.