Dodgers Off-Season Plans Become Even More Mysterious

The Dodgers off-season plans were unknown to begin with and after Friday’s blockbuster trade, LA’s options expanded even more.

The Dodgers off-season plans were mysterious as it was, and after Friday’s trade of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and others, their plans became even more discombobulated.  The one known goal for the Dodgers this off-season was to clear out some of their surplus of outfielders and starting pitchers which they accomplished Friday.

The Dodgers had interest in Bryce Harper before they were able to unload Kemp and Puig so now their amount of interest will be unveiled.  By completing their trade, the Dodgers are approximately 20 million dollars under the luxury tax threshold.  If the Dodgers do sign Harper they will cross that tax line but will be helped out by approximately forty million dollars that come off the books next off-season.

If the Dodgers choose not to sign Harper then perhaps they could pivot to AJ Pollock.  The former Diamondback comes with his own issues however as he is seemingly hurt every season.  When healthy, Pollock is a potential MVP candidate but the Dodgers signing him to a four or five year deal could backfire on them.  An outfielder is not a need though as the Dodgers could roll out an outfield of Joc/CT3/Hernandez in left field with Cody Bellinger in center, and Alex Verdugo in right field.

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The new savings could also help complete a deal for Indians’ ace Corey Kluber.  The Indians are looking for more payroll flexibility and the Dodgers are now in a position where they could take on all of Kluber’s 17 million dollars in 2019.  The Dodgers acquired two solid prospects in Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray that they could look to include in a possible trade.  The Indians and Reds had trade discussions about Kluber so it’s possible that the Indians have interest in both.

Then there are the second base and catcher positions where the Dodgers have internal options but they could look to upgrade.  Austin Barnes is the Dodgers’ starter at catcher for now but the Dodgers could look to finally complete a trade for J.T. Realmuto.  Regardless of whether it’s Realmuto or not, the Dodgers will need to find a second catcher.

Regardless of what the Dodgers do their options have opened up since they were able to unload two outfielders.  Andrew Friedman is not one to give away any hints about his plans so stay tuned for what is beginning to be a wild off-season.  The Dodgers lost a big fan favorite in Yasiel Puig, and could look to soften the loss by adding mega star Bryce Harper.