Dodgers: Three options for expanded roster spots

An agreement between Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association may allow rosters to be expanded to 29 players in the first month of the season. How will that impact the Los Angeles Dodgers?

In the wake of the Coronavirus wreaking havoc on all sports and the world as a whole, Major League Baseball has been trying to figure out how things will shake out once games are able to be played again in 2020. Part of that has been negotiating with the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players’ Association) in regards to compensation, schedule, the draft and more. One of the items on the docket will be the use of expanded roster, which could have an interesting effect on the make-up of the 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, one of the items being pushed forward in the agreement will be the expansion of team roster to a total of 29 players for the first month of the regular season. This would effectively add three roster spots to each team to help allow for less time off and the possibility of scheduled double-headers in order to get as many games in as possible once play resumes. It would also theoretically allow for the shortening of Spring Training, giving teams more time to evaluate final roster moves, albeit during games that actually count.

It is an interesting decision, to say the least. It may, in theory, result in fewer trades, fewer waiver claims, and overall less movement between teams coming out of Spring Training. With teams trying to plan for depth in the early going of the season, they’ll be less likely to make cuts that would, in turn, be appealing to other teams.

How will teams utilize that increased depth?

The most obvious places that this type of situation will be in pitching and catching. Fewer games lead to less rest between games and starts. Adding more arms and more depth behind the plate will help weather the storm in that first month. Whether a team opts to carry multiple additional pitchers or another catcher obviously impacts who is carried in other roles as well.

So how does that impact the Dodgers?

Let’s take a look at the three most likely candidates to remain on the Los Angeles roster once expansion to 29 players is confirmed.

Dustin May

Entering camp, the overwhelming consensus was that the number two prospect in the Dodgers’ system was slated to begin the year in Triple-A. After all, the rotation was fairly set and Los Angeles wanted to make sure that Dustin May continues to start. They don’t want him to get used to relieving and want to keep him stretched out for an eventual call-up.

With expanded rosters and the potential lack of days off or double-headers, the Dodgers could technically go with a six-man rotation if they want to keep everyone rested. This would allow May to slot into a rotation spot, even a sliding one if the Dodgers want to keep Kershaw and Buehler on only five days rest.

The right-hander has certainly earned the right to be given a look at claiming such a spot as well. A third-round pick in 2016, May made short work of the minor leagues, making him MLB debut in 2019 after going 6-5 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.134 WHIP, and a 9.3 K/9 over 106.2 innings split between the hitter-friendly Texas and Pacific Coast Leagues. He would end up making 14 appearances (4 starts) in Dodger Blue a season ago, going 2-3 with a 3.63 ERA, a 2.90 FIP, and a 8.31 K/9 ratio as a 21-year-old.

While his ZIPS projection of 9-7 with a 4.08 ERA, a 4.18 FIP, and a K/9 of 8.21 may be a bit generous, especially considering they estimate him making 33 appearances (25 starts), it shows the kind of faith the Dodgers likely have in May and his eventual place with the team. If he gets two to three good starts in while the rosters are expanded, it may be difficult for the Dodgers to send him back down when things revert.

Keibert Ruiz

The Dodgers are expected to break camp with Will Smith and Austin Barnes set to share the workload behind the plate and catching the vaunted Los Angeles pitching staff in 2020. However, if rosters are indeed expanded, most teams are likely to opt to carry another catcher if possible. With the possibility of MLB trying to cram as many games into a shorter window as possible, there stand to be fewer days off, resulting in the need for fresher legs sporting the tools of ignorance.

But what options do the Dodgers have?

Currently, Los Angeles has two non-roster invitees in camp in Jose Lobaton and Rocky Gale, and neither is a consensus option to fill an MLB roster spot. So what about a player that hasn’t seen an MLB at-bat yet.

After the 2018 season, the Dodgers made the choice to add catcher Keibert Ruiz to their 40-man roster. While the move was made to protect him against being taken in the Rule 5 draft, Ruiz isn’t your typical protection project either.

Ruiz rewarded the Dodgers with another solid season and forced his way onto top prospect lists after hitting .261/.331/.341. Entering his age-22 season, MLB.com currently has the backstop rated as the Dodgers 4th best farmhand and ranks him 73rd in all of baseball.

Given the lack of veteran experience available and the fact that Ruiz has a 40-man roster spot already (eliminating the need to open one up), it would seem only appropriate to give the young receiver a look at the biggest level and see what he has even in a short stint.