Dodgers: Projected arbitration salaries and what they mean

The Dodgers figure to have plenty of free agent spending money this off-season although arbitration raises will cut into that number.

When the off-season kicks off after the final out of the World Series, the Dodgers’ payroll will sit at approximately $113 million.  That is without factoring in any of the arbitration eligible players which for the Dodgers there will be plenty.  Mlbtraderumors.com recently came out with their projected arbitration salaries and the Dodgers figure to see another $53 million in payroll added to that $113 million dollar figure.

The luxury tax number will increase slightly in 2020 as it is going to be $208 million dollars.  That would give LA about forty million dollars to play with this winter before they cross the luxury tax threshold.  While the Dodgers have tried to stay under the tax line in recent seasons, perhaps a first round exit will help the blue become more aggressive this winter, at least us Dodger fans can hope.

Here are the projected arbitration salaries according to the article on Mlbtradeumors.com:

Pedro Baez: 3.3 mil

Enrique Hernandez: 5.5 mil

Joc Pederson: 8.5 mil

Yimi Garcia: 1.1 mil

Chris Taylor: 5 mil

Corey Seager: 7.1 mil

Ross Stripling: 2.3 mil

Austin Barnes: 1.3 mil

Scott Alexander: 1 mil

Max Muncy: 4.6 mil

Cody Bellinger: 11.6 mil

Julio Urias: 1.7 mil

The first two numbers that jump out at Cody Bellinger’s 11.6 mil and Joc Pederson’s 8.5 mil.  Even with the jump from $600K to 11 million, Bellinger is still a bargain for the Dodgers.  While we don’t know whether the 2020 version of Bellinger will be closer to the first or second half version from 2019, the most important thing for Cody is to deliver next October.  His postseason was very disappointing.

Joc Pederson also receives a nice little bump in arbitration although his jump is not as big from five million to eight.  If the Dodgers do end up pursuing a marquee free agent, they could look to deal Joc to free up more payroll.

Joc will be a free agent after the 2020 season and if Bellinger plays the outfield again, there is a crowded outfield with Bellinger, Pederson, Verdugo, Pollock, and depth options such as Edwin Rios and DJ Peters.  If the Dodgers did sign a bat like Nick Castellanos or Anthony Rendon, they could look to trade Joc to free up both roster space and financial wiggle room.

Max Muncy is projected to make close to five million dollars for the 2020 season which is a well deserved raise from his $575K salary in 2019.  Muncy was one of the few Dodger sluggers to perform well in the NLDS, so he is more than deserving of the nice bump in pay.  Muncy could double his 2020 salary for 2021 if he performs as he has the last two seasons.

Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez are projected to earn about ten million dollars combined.  While that isn’t very cheap for two utility players, both players provide the Dodgers with valuable versatility so it’s unlikely either is dealt this off-season.

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Hernandez is entering his last season before free agency so perhaps the Dodgers could look to extend him this winter.  The Dodgers also will have Kristopher Negron so that could throw a wrench into keep both super utility men if the front office believes in Negron’ abilities.  Consider this highly unlikely though.

The rest of the salary numbers are very cost efficient for the Dodgers.  Ross Stripling at two million is pocket change for a pitcher who can pitch both in the rotation and out of the bullpen.  Unless the Dodgers deal him to clear roster space on the opening day roster for a youngster like Tony Gonsolin the team will likely hang onto him for another season.

Pedro Baez at 3.3 million is a bargain considering he was one of LA’s most efficient setup relievers in 2019.  While Yimi Garcia is projected to make just over one million dollars, the team could cut him due to his lack of options.  Yimi will need to be on the 2020 opening day roster or be designated for assignment.

Austin Barnes is set to make just over one million dollars and figures to be the backup catcher for Will Smith in 2020.  Russell Martin could retire although a return cannot be ruled out entirely.  The one other factor that could lead to the departure of some of these arbitration eligible players are players who will become rule five draft eligible this winter.