Dodgers: 3 biggest mistakes LAD made this offseason

1. Choosing Trevor Bauer Over Collecting Depth/’Pen Arms

After hanging back through the majority of free agency, pleased with their internal options, the Dodgers starkly reversed course at the very end of the process and signed Trevor Bauer to a short-ish-term behemoth of a contract.

Was it a good use of money? Depends on your view of how baseball money should be spent. We tend to believe that, with no salary cap, any owner should be willing to go above and beyond to help their team win.

Of course, at the time, Bauer seemed like a luxury, but he may turn out to be at least somewhat fool’s gold. The Dodgers couldn’t have seen MLB’s crackdown on sticky substances coming, but now those days have arrived, and Bauer hasn’t been the same pitcher since entering a level playing field.

Whether you believe in his bounce back or not, you can’t deny his $34 million could’ve bought Los Angeles plenty more. Perhaps one or two back-end starting pitchers? Carlos Rodon was available for a song, and might win the AL Cy Young. It’s Captain Hindsight to suggest that move instead, but there were plenty of alternatives who aren’t equivalent lightning rods.

Beyond Bauer and Blake Treinen, the Dodgers mostly went diving for lottery tickets this offseason, especially in the ‘pen. Maybe LA should’ve splashed this cash on Liam Hendriks instead of trying Corey Knebel and Tommy Kahnle (still rehabbing)? A powerful bullpen arm — or even a second-tier one — could’ve helped stem the tide in early May, and two mid-range starters would’ve helped more than Bauer, especially if he’s regressing.

Dodgers: 3 bullpen arms LAD should trade for as soon as possible

During a time when relief pitchers are the hottest commodities, here are 3 bullpen arms that the Dodgers should trade for right now.