Dodgers: Dear Farhan Zaidi, Outfield Options For Your Consideration

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As General Manager Farhan Zaidi considers his options, some suggestions on the Dodgers 2018 outfield situation.

The Dodgers 2018 outfield could get older because of a new addition if LA’s GM starts taking my advice.

Since being called up in 2013, Yasiel Puig has, several times, shined like a supernova. He has also, on multiple occasions, been disenfranchised: offered up as trade bait, demoted to the minor leagues, left off playoff rosters, and benched.

The epitome of reliability, he is not. Puig may be the only Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder that’s a lock to start on Opening Day 2018. Other than Puig in right, the outfield represents an opportunity for roster improvement.

Center field may be open for competition among Joc Pederson and Andrew Toles. Utility-man Enrique Hernandez can play center field when called upon, as can NLCS Co-MVP Chris Taylor. Trayce Thompson, being out of options, is another center field option.

In left field, LA is so deep that much heralded “future gold-glove” first baseman, Cody Bellinger, could get a good share of starts out there again next year like he did this year. Aforementioned master of all, Chris Taylor, is also a perfectly fine left fielder.

With Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, and Andrew Toles as its first five outfielders, an average team should feel that it has enough firepower for the upcoming season. The Dodgers are no average team.

Ideally, Bellinger plays more often at first base, and Taylor gets the opportunity to utilize his athleticism by playing more infield. Left field is where the Dodgers should consider investing some assets in a free agent.

The Dodgers may be looking for a bargain right now as a short-term interest. A veteran hitter who understands their role could be exactly what the Dodgers ordered regarding a left field acquisition. I isolated three unsigned free agents outfielders from MLB’s Free Agent Tracker that I thought Mr. Zaidi should consider for the Dodgers 2018 outfield. Let’s allow them to make their pitch to wear the blue.

Jayson Werth

Hey, Farhan dude. I’m Jayson Werth. You can sign me if you want or you can go down another path, man. I don’t get too stressed about it either way. I actually think I played for the Dodgers back in the day. It was before your time, brother. I was starting to find my groove, but a fastball inside got me pretty good on the wrist. There were broken bones and torn ligaments, it was a real mess, daddy-o. And there’s no guarantee that my bones won’t break again, the doctors say, so I do come with some risk.

If I were on your team, I’d bring a career slash line of .293/.393/.538 against left-handed pitchers. I’m playoff tested with 271 career plate appearances in the postseason, too, so your young players can come to me for sage-like advice. However, if I weren’t on your team, you’d notice because there would be someone else on your team who wasn’t me.

José Bautista

Jose Bautista – Honey, There’s a Bats in the House /

Farhan Zaidi: I, Jose Bautista, am begging for you to sign me. Pleeeeeease? Please-Please-Please-Please-Please-Please! I am hell bent on proving to Toronto and the rest of the world that I am still the stud also known as Joey Bats. Hollywood would be the perfect stage for my third act, so let’s make this happen. I will play for cheap, but not that cheap. I still have pride.

Am I gonna blast 40 home runs next year? I’d rather talk about on-base percentage. Since 2006, with two exceptions, I have never dipped below .335 in OBP. The two years I struggled to get on were 2008, when Pittsburgh traded me to Toronto, and last year. It’s pretty well known what I did after a change of scenery in Toronto. So, if you give me the chance to prove I still got it, you will not be sorry.

Carlos Gonzalez

To Whom It May Concern: Carlos Gonzalez is my name, but I don’t need any introduction. You know me, I’m sure. CarGo, they call me. It is a combination of Carlos and Gonzalez. I was named Carlos by my parents. Their family name, and mine, is Gonzalez. Carlos Gonzalez. That’s me.

I don’t usually get out of bed for an annual average salary of less than $11,428,571, but I would consider signing a one year contract for around $10 million or so because I like you, whatever your name is. I’ll provide you with some of the most epic streaky-ness you’ve ever seen, statistically. When I’m cold, you might get frost bite from looking at me. But when CarGo gets hot, look out!

Send me a check, and I’ll look it over. If the check looks good, you can have my services.

Any of these three free agents are bound to be happy to play on a contender like Los Angeles. After paying Chase Utley $7 million two years ago, I think Farhan could stomach less than $10 million for a veteran OF on a one-year pact. While the players I mentioned are just a few of those available, the free agent market for left fielders offers a cascade of possible additions for General Manager Farhan Zaidi. There’s just no reason to over-commit to any one player in free agency or trade, especially an outfielder.

Next: The trade market offers better relief for the Dodgers

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As General Manager Farhan Zaidi considers his options, some suggestions on the Dodgers 2018 outfield situation.

Jayson Werth

José Bautista

Carlos Gonzalez

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