Dodgers: Bold Off-Season Predictions

Dodgers resign Manny Machado

Yes, I am well aware that Corey Seager is returning. Either way signing a talent like Machado would make any team better. His antics have been blown a bit out of proportion. A star like Manny changes the team for the better.

It all kind of makes sense if you really think about it. Corey Seager is fresh off of Tommy John surgery. Making throws from short is not easy even though Machado makes it look easy. Seager may be better suited easing his way in and starting at second base.

This could also be a long term solution to a different problem. Justin Turner is entering his age 34 season and has 2 years remaining on his deal. So if Seager’s arm is fine, either he or Machado could move to third base, and just like that you have 2 of the best players in baseball on the left side of your infield for the next 5-7 years.

Machado seemed to enjoy his brief tenure in blue. It was his first taste of a deep playoff run. The Dodgers saved him from a dumpster fire out in Baltimore. He looked like he thrived in the role of being the “bad guy”.

With reports of teams being out of the running for Machado due to his comments earlier in 2018. This should drive his price down and make even more sense for te Dodgers to add him on somewhat of a discount, even though his asking price will still be monstrous

Machado is a special talent. His antics are nowhere near as bad as people say they are. Any fan that wants to win should be happy if they had one of the best players in baseball on their team. Manny Machado makes this team better, now and in the future. Signing him would be beneficial for any and every team.

Dodgers trade for Blake Treinen

The lack of depth in the bullpen was a glaring issue in the playoffs. The Dodgers had one reliable reliever. To the surprise of everybody that reliever was Pedro Baez. Not even Kenley Jansen was able to shut down an inning consistently.

Bullpen help is going to be addressed this off-season. Whether it is going to be done via trade or free agency, this needs to and will be addressed.

What better solution than arguably the best reliever in baseball during the 2018 season? Treinen had an unreal season with the surprising A’s. They managed to win 97 games and Treinen was a huge reason for this.

He boasted a 0.78 ERA/ 0.83 WHIP/ .158 BAA. All the while striking out 100 batters in just over 80 innings. He was virtually unhittable in 2018.

There are a plethora of free agents available which is why this seems like a long shot. Also with teams like Seattle and Cleveland blowing the team up, they have relievers that would be easier to work out a deal for.

But hear me out. The Oakland A’s are the kings of selling high on their investment. Josh Donaldson, Ryan Madson, Rich Hill, Yoenis Cespededes among others. They really don’t care how good a player is, if they believe the return is cheaper and better, they will pull the trigger on any trade.

This acquisition would immediately bolster the bullpen. It would also give the Dodgers a backup plan if, Kenley has health issues once again. The Dodgers could also relieve some pressure from Jansen and lower his workload and that would be helpful for his health. Blake Treinen would help solve a lot of problems.

Dodgers sell high on Max Muncy

Speaking of teams selling high. Max Muncy had a monster year with the Dodgers in 2018. It was out of nowhere. Nobody could have predicted this, not even Max Muncy. The Dodgers could follow the A’s way of doing business and get a high return on a player who just had a career year.

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Muncy is a bad defender, it is hard to see him sticking at second base if that is the plan. Cody Bellinger is a very good outfielder but he is an even better first baseman. Muncy being in the lineup forces Cody into the outfield. This in turn stunts the growth of Alex Verdugo.

If the team believes in Verdugo, they can trade Muncy. Bellinger can go back to being the everyday first baseman and Verdugo can take over in center field.

Muncy was tremendous, but it is going to take an even larger effort in 2019 to repeat his success. This is because now, teams have a game plan against him. More teams have tape and information on him than ever before. His success early on came because he was flying under the radar. Now teams know how dangerous he can be and will pitch him accordingly.

Once again this seems farfetched because Muncy is still under a team control until after the 2022 season. The team would absolutely want to keep him because of his cheap contract and years of control. However, if they get a high value offer for Muncy it will be hard to turn down.

Muncy is a valuable piece to have around, but he is not untradeable. If ever there was a time to move him, it would be now. Teams saw the performance he put together in 2018 and that is fresh in their mind. The last thing they want is a major regression and his value diminishing. Right now his value is at its highest and the Dodgers should not hesitate to move him at the right asking price.