Dodgers should go on a 2008 Yankees type spending spree

The Dodgers have been fiscally responsible with their spending since bringing Andrew Friedman into the fold. Is it time to back up the Brinks trucks?

When the Dodgers brought Andrew Friedman to Los Angeles their goal was to build an annual contender that stayed right around or under the luxury tax.  In recent seasons, the Dodgers’ have slashed as much as 38% off their payroll number from 2015.  Up until 2019, it had been tough to argue with their plan as the Dodgers made their first two World Series appearances since 1988.

This year, however, the Dodgers were taken out in the first round of the playoffs by the Washington Nationals.  A blown lead in game five of the NLDS with six outs to go was a harsh reminder that the postseason can be very cruel.  Not that Dodger fans have needed that reminder given all their postseason failures on their current NL West division title streak.

The Dodgers figure to have around $40 million in payroll space before they hit the luxury tax threshold.  There is a chance they could sign one of the premier free agents such as Anthony Rendon or Gerrit Cole if they are not afraid to meet or slightly go over the luxury tax line.

In the past, this would be a no brainer but given the current landscape of MLB, the Yankees and Dodgers no longer flex their financial might on the rest of the league.  The Boston Red Sox even fired their General Manager a season after winning the World Series because of their aspirations to slash payroll spending.

Backstory on the 2008 Yankees

If there was ever an off-season for the Dodgers to go 2008 Yankees and sign a few of the top free agents on the free-agent market this would be it.  The 2008 Yankees had a talented roster filled with all-stars such as Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Johnny Damon, and Hideki Matsui.

Still, the Yankees realized they needed a change and went out and signed C.C. Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira.  Sabathia and Teixeira were the top hitter and pitcher on the free-agent market.  The spending paid off as the Yankees won the World Series in 2009 after missing the playoffs during the 2008 season.

The Dodgers have a very talented roster in their own right, although they keep coming up short.  While they didn’t miss the postseason as the 2008 Yankees did, they were one and done in the postseason which isn’t much better.  The Dodgers could sign the top free agent bat and arm in Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon if they truly wanted to help end their World Series drought.

Why should the Dodgers spend big now?

The reason the Dodgers should spend big now is a mix of cheap talent and big salary players nearing the end of their contracts.  Justin Turner’s 19 million dollar payroll figure clears the books after next season.  Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw clear the books after 2021 which will clear another $50 million off the payroll.  Jansen has an opt-out this off-season but is unlikely to use it.

Meanwhile, players such as Cody Bellinger, Walker Buehler, Alex Verdugo, Gavin Lux, Will Smith, and others will give the Dodgers production that far exceed their salary.  Bellinger will get a big raise to around $11 million for 2020 but that is still very cheap for a player that will finish in the top three in NL MVP voting.  These cheap pre-arb players help make a payroll increase possible for the next couple of seasons.

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Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon would easily increase the Dodgers’ World Series odds significantly.  Cole would give the Dodgers the other ace they need, while Rendon would take over third base from Justin Turner who has one season left before hitting free agency.  Stephen Strasburg and Nick Castellanos would be another pair of top free agents that could provide a similar boost for LA if Strasburg opts out.

In addition to just adding payroll, the Dodgers could do several trades to clear up more financial wiggle room and make two star free agents possible.  Joc Pederson and/or Corey Seager will combine to make around $15 million in 2020 and both could be dealt if it clears space for big free-agent signings.

Andrew Friedman could also pull off one of his contract dump trades or attach prospects to get a team to take on half of Pollock’s contract.  Although I wouldn’t give up on AJ yet if it clears up payroll to add a star I am all for it.

Friedman has kept things conservative in his time with the Dodgers and if ownership wants to bring a WS title back to Los Angeles, they need to open up their checkbooks and allow Friedman to sign multiple stars this winter.  Fans are not going to fault management if the Dodgers spend big and come up short, but if they remain frugal and come up short in 2020, many fans will call for heads to roll.