Hypothetical Dodgers Acquisitions For 2018

The Dodgers don’t have to make any more moves. At the moment, they have a full roster and no glaring needs. I just imagine some acquisitions taking place between now and opening day because, whether fan or front office executive, we all have to wonder.

If Pete Carroll had put Reggie Bush in the game on 4^th and 2, USC probably wins the 2006 National Championship game. If the referees had gotten the call right and figured out that Tom Brady was actually tucking the ball and not throwing it, the Raiders may have likely won the 2001 Super Bowl. If Dave Roberts hadn’t started Yu Darvish for the Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, well… you get the picture.

If could be the biggest little word in the English language. Especially in the world of sports fandom where there’s always an If, as in, What If?

What if the Dodgers …

The Dodgers have never really been mentioned in the same breath as J.D. Martinez, and with what his agent, Scott Boras, is likely seeking (somewhere around 7 years/$210 million), that’s not going to happen.

Lorenzo Cain is a more likely free agent candidate, but still a long shot considering the Dodgers are only about $14 million below next year’s $197 million tax threshold, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, and you gotta leave some wiggle room for mid-season acquisitions.

But what if the Dodgers did sign an expensive outfielder? First of all, they’d sail well past the tax threshold and would be required to not only pay a 50 percent tax on every dollar they go over, but they would also have their first-round draft pick moved back 10 spots in the following summer’s amateur draft.

The front office surely has one eye on next winter’s free agent crop and the other eye on the tax threshold as they try to maneuver their way safely to the 2018 feeding frenzy.

The Dodgers could make a trade for someone like Christian Yelich, who makes a mere $7.08 million against the cap for the next four years, plus an option for 2022.

A trade for Yelich would likely cost the Dodgers at least two of their top 10 prospects. With two catchers in their top eight, parting with either Keibert Ruiz or Will Smith would be a likely starting point.

Adding a pitcher like Mitchell White or Jordan Sheffield or Dennis Santana, plus Brock Stewart or Ross Stripling could probably get a deal done,

Sounds like a lot, yes, but consider that the Dodgers would have control over a proven All-Star caliber player for five more years, and that nothing is guaranteed with prospects, especially pitching prospects.

(Raise your hand if you’ve heard of more than two of these Dodgers pitching prospects: Dan Opperman, the 8^th overall pick in the 1987 draft, Bill Bene, 5^th overall in 1988, Ronnie Walden, 9^th overall in 1990, Ben Diggins, 17^th overall in 2000, Scott Elbert, 17^th overall in 2004, or Ethan Martin, 15^th overall in 2008.)

Adding a bona fide All-Star outfielder would take the Dodgers to the next level offensively.

Sliding a Martinez or Cain or Yelich into the third or fourth spot in the order would lengthen the lineup to a championship level, all but securing a sixth straight division title and making L.A. an overwhelming World Series favorite.

But what if the Dodgers …

The Dodgers return all their starting position players, as well as their top three starters (we’re not counting Darvish) and their closer from 2017.

They won a Major League-best 104 games last year, seven games better than any other National League team.

Offensively, the Dodgers were tied for sixth in the Majors in on-base percentage (.334), tied for seventh in slugging (.437), and were 8^th overall in on-base plus slugging (.771).

More from LA Dodgers News

• Former Astro seemingly takes uncalled for shot at Cody Bellinger after Cubs deal
• Dodgers’ 2023 lineup without Trea Turner isn’t as impressive as it should be
• Recapping who Dodgers gained and lost in Rule 5 Draft
• Dodgers ironically sign former all-star to potentially replace Cody Bellinger
• Padres-Xander Bogaerts contract feels like Manny Machado desperation

The Dodgers reached base via walk 649 times in 2017, far and away the best mark in baseball.

On the pitching side, L.A. had the second lowest ERA (3.38), the lowest WHIP (1.155), allowed the fewest hits (1,226), the second fewest runs (580), the second fewest walks (442), had the third most saves (51), and struck out the fifth most batters (1,559) in the Majors.

Defensively, the Dodgers were above Major League average across the board.

So, with all that talent returning – Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig, Logan Forsythe, Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Alex Wood, Yasmani Grandal, Austin Barnes, Kenley Jansen – as well as rookies Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo and the injured Urias all eventually joining the mix, the Dodgers are loaded for bear in 2018.

Next: Potential Non-Roster and MILB Gems In Dodgers System

So, while it may not be the sexiest thing, not making another trade or not signing another free agent aren’t bad things for the Dodgers between now and Spring Training.

In fact, it’s probably the wisest course to choose.