FanSided

3 Scrooge moves the Dodgers made that killed fans’ Christmas spirit

By Thomas Carannante |
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out LaMonte Wade Jr. #31 of the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning in game 3 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out LaMonte Wade Jr. #31 of the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning in game 3 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Andrew Heaney #38 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Andrew Heaney #38 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Dodgers just paid a $32.65 million luxury tax bill, so it’s obvious they have money to spend and/or waste. But before the lockout, they only made a few uninspiring transactions, the highlight of which was re-signing Chris Taylor — something that needed to get done after he said he was willing to take a discount to remain in LA.

Otherwise? Underwhelming. And the losses of Max Scherzer and Corey Seager as well as the unlikely return of Kenley Jansen hardly let any positives take the spotlight. Not to mention, Clayton Kershaw is still a free agent for the first time in his career and is stuck there while the owners and players sort things out.

On top of that, we didn’t get an extension for Trea Turner, the starting rotation wasn’t repaired whatsoever, and the bullpen lost a number of key contributors. Dodgers fans feel more vulnerable than ever heading into 2022 (you didn’t forget about Max Muncy’s UCL tear, did you?)

And since the Dodgers knew fans would be stuck in the lockout during Christmas time, we can’t help but feel they brought down the jolly spirit by being Scrooges and passing on some moves they certainly possessed the financial capital to make happen … and instead making one that felt like a cost-cutter but was actually an overpay?

Though the front office has plenty of time post-lockout to make up for this, it’s not going to change our feelings on this Merry (?) Christmas.

3 Scrooge moves the Dodgers made to kill Christmas spirit.

3. Signing Andrew Heaney

Right out of the gate, the Dodgers, for some reason, thought it’d be a shrewd decision to sign veteran left-hander Andrew Heaney to a one-year, $8.5 million contract, which he was obviously eager and ecstatic to accept since no team in their right minds would’ve offered him anything above $5 million.

Sorry to sound harsh, but on what planet does Heaney have an integral role in a rotation that just lost Scherzer, won’t have Dustin May until at least the middle of the season, and might watch Clayton Kershaw leave?

Heaney has NEVER had a good MLB season since debuting in 2014. His best campaign featured a losing record with a 4.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.99 FIP and 180 strikeouts in 180 innings (30 starts). That was by FAR his most efficient from a full workload standpoint.

And in 2021, he proved he was truly that bad. Between the Angels and Yankees, the soft-throwing lefty finished with a 5.83 ERA in 30 games (23 starts) and allowed 29 homers, including 13 in his final 35.2 innings. He did up his strikeouts (150 in 129.2 innings) and his FIP was a full run lower than his ERA, but this isn’t an untapped talent waiting to be unleashed. Heaney is going to be 31 years old and doesn’t strike fear into batters.

Discouraging move for the talent and the money spent.

Marcus Semien #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Marcus Semien #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

2. Not Addressing Corey Seager’s Departure

OK, it seems like the Dodgers knew Corey Seager was leaving. And it seems Corey Seager knew Corey Seager was leaving given how quickly this happened. The star shortstop bolted for the Texas Rangers on a 10-year, $325 million contract, and reports made it clear that the Dodgers knew they weren’t going that far to retain him.

So why wasn’t there a lower-budget contingency plan? Marcus Semien at seven years and $175 million, for a power hitter and versatile defender (he plays shortstop and second base) in his prime seems reasonable. What about Javier Baez at six years and $140 million? Maybe an extension for Trea Turner?

Nope, nothing. Do you trust Gavin Lux to hold down the fort at second base? What about Muncy, who shocked fans when he revealed he actually suffered a torn UCL? If we’re the Dodgers, we’d prefer him being stationary at first base and limiting his throws after that revelation.

It was discouraging enough that Seager left, but it’s understandable. That’s a gigantic commitment alongside Mookie Betts’ $365 million contract (and the future commitments to Walker Buehler and Julio Urías on the horizon). But now we have to sit here for months and wonder what the infield is going to look like when a cheaper/similarly effective signing was there for the taking?

We’ll hold out hope for a potential Carlos Correa or Freddie Freeman deal after the lockout … but that’s going to be a long time after Christmas.

Max Scherzer of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Max Scherzer of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. Letting Max Scherzer Walk to the Mets

So the Dodgers didn’t want to do the long 10-year commitment. Fine. So why not the beefy short-term commitment … for a starting pitcher when there was no greater need than starting pitching?

Max Scherzer, who dazzled in his second half of 2021 with the Dodgers, signed a three-year, $130 million contract ($43.33 million AAV) with the New York Mets. One year ago, the Dodgers out-bid the Mets (and themselves?) for Trevor Bauer and signed him to a three-year contract for just $28 million fewer dollars. They were willing to pay just $28 million fewer dollars to an internet troll and pitcher with a 4.00 ERA instead of a three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer.

The worst part? The Dodgers didn’t have a need for such a move last offseason, when their rotation was stacked with a healthy Kershaw, Buehler, Urías, May and a combination of Tony Gonsolin/David Price/spot starters. The world has seen much worse than that.

Now, the Dodgers don’t have Kershaw (and he isn’t healthy), May is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Gonsolin is a giant question mark, we’re not sure what Price offers, and Bauer likely won’t be pitching for the Dodgers again. And that still wasn’t enough for the Dodgers to match the Mets’ offer, apparently.

Scherzer, Buehler and Urías (and even Heaney as the No. 5) makes this a much more respectable rotation and greatly alleviates the post-lockout burden/need to scramble. Instead, we’re wondering who the Dodgers might trade for or if they’ll take a flyer on Carlos Rodón, who presents another injury issue.

The chatter around the Dodgers would’ve been a lot different had Scherzer been retained. Now, the Mets are the talk of the lockout offseason and Dodgers fans don’t have any new jerseys to get this Christmas.

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