Grading Dodgers’ offseason signings and trades ahead of Opening Day

The Los Angeles Dodgers are maybe, kind of, sort of done with their 2021-22 offseason moves after a league-imposed lockout threw a major wrench into things beginning Dec. 1.

At that point, everything was in limbo, from the free agency of iconic left-hander Clayton Kershaw to the uncertainty of Max Muncy’s injury. Hell, we didn’t even have anything definitive on the universal DH yet!

The only certainty, at that point, was that longtime All-Star and playoff MVP shortstop Corey Seager had made the Dodgers’ World Series-winning site in Dallas his permanent home, departing Los Angeles for a long-term deal with the Texas Rangers.

Did it make sense? Somewhat. Seager valued money and security and the Dodgers might’ve valued those same things, but for Trea Turner instead.

Did it leave the Dodgers less than whole? Absolutely — and with three full months ahead of them just to stew, too.

Luckily, Andrew Friedman got up off the mat when the bell rang — as everyone knew he would — and left Seager’s departure well in the rearview with his yeoman’s work from mid-March to the end of the month.

Here’s how Friedman’s roster shuffling grades out thus far. Staggeringly, based on where the team was just a few short weeks ago, he doesn’t earn anything close to an “incomplete.”

Grading Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2022 offseason moves

Grading Dodgers’ Re-Signings

Chris Taylor: A

The Dodgers couldn’t afford to lose their glue guy, with so much prospective turnover this offseason, and they reversed course and nabbed Taylor on Dec. 1 (just before the eternal pause) on a four-year, $60 million deal. Right length, right reward, essential player. This shouldn’t sting until, say, Year 4? So who cares?

…Cody Bellinger?: B

The optics of Bellinger receiving a raise after a career-worst (and career-changing) campaign were poor, but kudos to LA’s brass for taking care of someone who once was an MVP candidate before things got dicey in arbitration. We’ve docked a grade for the clash of ideals, as well as the likelihood that this is Bellinger’s last “deal” in Los Angeles, but ultimately, it’s very much OK for the team to pay him whatever they want for just one year.

Clayton Kershaw: B+

Somewhere between a nostalgia signing and a No. 3 starter, the Dodgers could not, in good conscience, allow Kershaw to bolt already for Texas. The “+” comes from the one-year deal; they figured it out without over-committing.

Jimmy Nelson: C+

2021’s bullpen breakout, Nelson was brought back on the Tommy Kahnle deal, intended more for 2023 than 2022. Recovering from Tommy John surgery, it’s unlikely he’ll make it to a mound this year. With his injury, these funds could’ve been spent elsewhere.

Danny Duffy: C

Duffy, a hometown boy, was acquired by the 2021 Dodgers and unable to pitch, falling victim to a left flexor tendon issue that was resolved surgically over the winter. This deal also comes with a second-year option for 2023, which will likely determine the value here. For now, it seems as if the Dodgers have sentimentally paid for the back end of someone’s career who still has yet to make an impact in the middle innings.

Grading Dodgers’ Trades

Billy McKinney Swap: C

Perfectly fringe-average. The Los Angeles Dodgers received nothing in return, and dealt outfielders Billy McKinney and Zach Reks to the Texas Rangers, otherwise known as a retirement home for all former Dodgers 40-man fodder. DJ Peters says hi!

All Dodger fans got was cash considerations. And what they lost? The ability to yell “Get Reks’d!” when Zach Reks wrecked a guy.

McKinney, a Dallas native, hit just .146 in 37 games for the Dodgers last year. Reks had a beastly campaign at the minor-league level last year, triple-slashing .282/.382/.539, but … he did it in the hitter-friendly PCL. Wish him good luck, but he was unlikely to be a major piece of the Dodgers in the midst of this window.

Rays Donate a Reliever: B-

Because … you always … have to wonder … just what exactly the Rays know when they’re willing to make a trade like this.

On March 18, Luke Raley — another fringe Dodgers 40-man stalwart and former top slugging prospect — was dealt to the Rays for reliever Tanner Dodson. The Rays pluck relievers out of thin air, so there’s a good chance they just felt Dodson was more replaceable than Raley, someone they must really like as an Austin Meadows complement (Or replacement? Ooh, intrigue!).

Dodson, the 71st overall pick in 2018, went 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 37 outings last season (striking out 64). All in all, it was a nice bounce back from a rough 2019 campaign and absent 2020 season, and he’ll be looking to turn a new leaf at Double-A Tulsa this year.

Clearly, the Rays preferred the more big-league-ready offensive punch of Raley … and hopefully, that’s the only reason they chose to pull off this deal. Stay wary.

Grading Dodgers’ Free Agent Signings: Offense

Hanser Alberto: B

Alberto, who surged prior to the 2019 All-Star break for the Orioles, was brought in this past week to help thicken out the infield picture after a series of departures.

Surprisingly, he has an option involved for 2023, too. A grip-it-and-rip-it guy with minimal power, there’s still probably something to be unlocked in his fearsome swing. Docked a half-point here for bringing about the end of Matt Beaty’s Dodgers tenure, unfortunately.

Kevin Pillar: A-

A minor-league deal only, but you should anticipate Pillar suiting up for the Dodgers on Opening Day, most likely. Expect a reliever to be cleared off the 40-man roster in his wake.

At this point, Pillar’s bat may never be above-average for long stretches ever again, but he can still pick it with the best of ’em, and is a defined upgrade in the “toughness” department, too.

FREDDIE FREEMAN: A+

The Dodgers pillaging the World Champion Braves, adding a California native on an entirely manageable six-year deal, replacing their departing All-Star with an arriving All-Star? Adding a de facto captain, pushing Max Muncy into a potential Universal DH role and lengthening the lineup beyond recognition?

Not only did Andrew Friedman fit another superstar into his budget here, but he’s found the perfect future leader for whenever the time comes for Justin Turner to go off into that good night.

Freeman may be the only major, slam-dunk acquisition of the 106-win Dodgers’ offseason, but it’s difficult to fathom a more perfect fit for this current roster (unless they’d traded for Matt Olson … kidding, kidding).

Now, go and add a pitcher at the deadline so we can re-grade everything! That’ll make for a fuller picture.

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