Dodgers: 3 moves to improve the Dodgers while staying under the tax

The roster

The total cost of Kluber, Cimber, Smith, and Donaldson would come in at roughly 43 million dollars but when you subtract Stripling and Joc’s contract the total payroll added comes in at 32 million dollars.  This would easily keep the Dodgers under the luxury tax line and add a #2 starter, two setup relievers, and a legit bat for less than the cost of Rendon or Cole per year.

Rotation: Buehler, Kluber, Kershaw, Maeda, Urias/May

Bullpen: Jansen, Cimber, Kelly, Smith, Baez, Kolarek, Gonsolin, Urias/May

Lineup:

RF Verdugo

1B Turner

CF Bellinger

3B Donaldson

2B Muncy

SS Seager

LF Pollock

C Smith

Pitcher spot

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The starting rotation would give the Dodgers three very good starting pitchers at the top of the rotation and Kenta Maeda slots in as the fourth starter.  Julio Urias and Dustin May would split the season in the rotation with the other pitching out of the bullpen in until their number is called.  Tony Gonsolin could also see some starts.

The bullpen is right-handed heavy but Joe Smith and Pedro Baez are both excellent against left-handed hitters.  With the three batter minimum rule likely coming into effect next season, bullpens will need to have relievers like Smith and Baez who can face anyone.

The lineup would be even better than it was in 2019 and with Justin Turner having fresher legs at first base, he could be a season-long factor in the lineup with fewer injuries.  Donaldson adds a big right-handed bat to the lineup to produce a more even lineup that will be tough against left or right-handed pitching.

While there are plenty of routes Andrew Friedman could go to improve the Dodgers for 2020 this is just one idea.  The bullpen is an overlooked area this off-season which is why the addition of not one but two relievers makes sense.  Also bolstering both the lineup and rotation, it would be tough to solidify all three areas without going over the luxury tax. This is one way the blue could do it though.