3 Dodgers team options for 2023 fans may have forgotten about

With a busy offseason ahead, many Los Angeles Dodgers fans are zoned in on what’s going to happen with guys like Trea Turner, Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and Tyler Anderson. All of those players were among the most important pieces on this 111-win squad.

If not for some maneuvering during the season in the form of multiple contract extensions for Max Muncy, Blake Treinen, Austin Barnes and Daniel Hudson, the Dodgers would’ve had a lot more on their plate.

But perhaps those dealings and the more important names have overshadowed some other housekeeping moves Andrew Friedman and the front office need to make. There are a few other free agents, yes, like Tommy Kahnle, Joey Gallo, David Price and Craig Kimbrel, but those guys probably aren’t coming back.

As for a few others that carry team options you might’ve forgotten about? It’s quite possible one or two are retained to help fill roles on a roster that’s going to need cost-effective contributors.

You saw one of them this year. The other two didn’t step foot on the field due to injuries. Will the Dodgers risk it and take a chance one last time?

3 Dodgers team options for 2023 fans may have forgotten about

3. Hanser Alberto

The Dodgers hype man! And emergency reliever! And pepper grinder extraordinaire! Hanser Alberto was left off the NLDS roster because he wasn’t exactly a high-level bench player, but he brought the energy to the Dodgers clubhouse and kept the vibes in check.

The veteran has a $2 million team option with a $250K buyout for the 2023 season after earning $1.35 million in 2022. Might the Dodgers deem his versatility, personality, and ability to eat useless innings and save the bullpen valuable enough to bring back?

The average fan might say no, but you’re not going to find many more capable “last guys off the bench” who actually thoroughly enjoy their roles. It’s a thankless and borderline meaningless job, but somebody has to do it.

Alberto does it with great affability and was of the few emotional guys in that clubhouse. There’s a good argument to bring him back for a measly $2 million.

2. Danny Duffy

My goodness, what a waste. For two years, too! The Dodgers acquired Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals at least year’s trade deadline and paid him $5 million to never return from a flexor strain … which eventually required offseason surgery.

Then came 2022. The Dodgers re-signed him to a one-year, $3 million contract that carried a $7 million team option for 2023. Duffy was eyeing a midsummer return to “take care of unfinished business,” but suffered a setback in August and never stepped foot on the field.

That’s $8 million for zero innings of Duffy. Do the Dodgers even bother attempting this dance on last time? That would run them the risk of investing $15 million in the veteran left-hander with the fear of his injury issues lingering as he enters his age-34 season.

Then again … he could be worth $7 million if he can give you a 20+ starts or long relief out of the bullpen. Before getting injured in 2021, Duffy had a renaissance of sorts, and maintained a 2.51 ERA, 3.40 FIP and 1.21 WHIP with 65 strikeouts in 13 games (12 starts), totaling 61 innings.

We’d vote “no” here because watching this backfire for a third time would be devastating, but the Dodgers do need a lot of pitching, so stay tuned.