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3 Dodgers who might have tough time competing for 40-man roster spot

By Thomas Carannante |
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 09: David Price #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 09, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 09: David Price #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 09, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Carson Fulmer #41 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Carson Fulmer #41 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Even though the Los Angeles Dodgers are lacking depth heading into the 2022 season, that doesn’t mean everyone’s safe from being demoted, traded, or outright released.

Losing Max Scherzer and Corey Seager was a killer, but you’d have to assume there are plans to further supplement the roster so they team doesn’t run into the same issues it did in 2021 when the outfield and corner infield depth was an atrocity. The great Dodgers’ teams from 2016-2020 were built on fearsome depth. Andrew Friedman likely won’t let this happen again.

Expect additions and upgrades after the lockout as well as serious competitions for a 40-man roster spot whenever spring training gets underway. And be sure to keep an eye on a few names who might fall out of favor.

You might see a newcomer, a former top prospect and a decorated veteran shown the door one way or another in a few months. The 2022 season represents a pivotal one for the Dodgers since there are far more difficult roster decisions to make ahead of 2023.

These 3 Dodgers could have an uphill climb to make the Opening Day 40-Man roster.

3. Carson Fulmer

The Dodgers’ Triple-A team selected Carson Fulmer in this year’s minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft and some thought the Dodgers could work their magic and figure out how to hone the former Vanderbilt star’s skills.

Maybe they can. It’s not out of the question. The right-hander possesses a five-pitch mix and was in the upper percentile for fastball and curveball spin, according to Baseball Savant. Though last year his FIP (4.69) was nearly two points lower than his ERA (6.66, creepy), he didn’t strike out many batters (24 in 25.1 innings) and his 1.52 WHIP was ugly. His ERA+ (72) was bad, too.

Fulmer’s had two seasons with what you could call a considerable workload. He appeared in 20 games last year and 20 in 2019, mostly as a reliever after coming up as a starter. And those campaigns have yielded bad results (6.26 ERA, 6.29 FIP in 2019).

We’re not sure what’s salvageable here. Then again, if any team can determine that, it’s the Dodgers. We just don’t feel comfortable betting on it with all of the names that emerged in the bullpen last year. If they don’t see what they like in spring training, will he be worth a 40-man roster spot? They won’t have to make a snap decision on that because he’s not on the 40-man right now, but we wouldn’t count on him making the jump early on.

Luke Raley #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Luke Raley #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Luke Raley

On one hand, Dodgers fans don’t want to give up too soon on Luke Raley or sell him for pennies on the dollar … but on the other, it feels like time is running out if he doesn’t get off to a quick start in 2022.

Raley is entering his age-27 season with just 33 games of MLB experience and it’s unclear how he’ll get more playing time to prove his worth. His bat seemingly isn’t a problem in Triple-A, but the numbers don’t exactly jump off the page and smack you in the face. The lost 2020 season was a killer and it’s certainly unfair it may have affected his development, but that could be the reality.

Also, some bats just can’t make the leap from Triple-A to the pros. We’ve seen it with countless prospects in the past. His .182 average and .538 OPS (45 OPS+) across his first big-league action last year was unsightly. The Dodgers might also be using Gavin Lux, Zach McKinstry and Chris Taylor as their other outfielders — all of whom are more valuable than the former seventh-round pick.

This might be a situation where he’ll have to blow the team away in spring training because the Dodgers need to address their starting rotation and bullpen, which will inevitably create a sort of roster squeeze.

David Price #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
David Price #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

1. David Price

Harsh, we know, but what is David Price’s role? And is he providing any value at $16 million? His decision to opt out before the 2020 season has certainly made this more of a talking point.

In 2021, Price pitched in just 73.2 innings (39 games), meaning he hardly did much of … anything? There was hope he could be a back-end starter if things came crashing down. And when they did, he averaged about 3.2 innings per outing. As a reliever, he logged a 4.18 ERA and impossible 1.76 WHIP in 28 games.

Maybe he rebounds in 2022 after a full season off, but what if he looks bad in spring training? Might the Dodgers try and gauge the trade market if they’re willing to eat some of the $16 million they owe him? If Andrew Heaney is getting nearly $9 million, we’re sure someone might take David Price for $12 million, no?

A number of bullpen options emerged in 2021 that were better than Price and there are a number of starters in the system (Bobby Miller and Ryan Pepiot) that could arrive sooner than expected. It’s evident the way the Dodgers felt about him after he wasn’t used in the NLDS and then didn’t make the NLCS roster (until after Joe Kelly was removed due to injury). He threw just 73.2 innings and the Dodgers pitching staff was exhausted. He had nothing to offer?

All we’re saying is don’t be shocked if Price is dealt in a salary dump trade. The Dodgers don’t need him if this is what he’ll be offering in his age-36 season and they can find similar production for much cheaper, even if another team eats half of what Price is owed.

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