Ranking Dodgers’ free agents as offseason officially arrives

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the San Diego Padresduring the eighth inning in game three of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 14, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the San Diego Padresduring the eighth inning in game three of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 14, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Joey Gallo #12 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

10. Joey Gallo

For a second there, it looked like the Dodgers fleeced the Yankees and got the old version of Joey Gallo at the trade deadline. But it all eventually normalized. One of the worst offensive players in the sport since last August finished just how he started. In 44 games, he slashed .162/.277/.393 (83 OPS+) with 16 runs scored, 7 HR and 23 RBI. He struck out 57 times. He was solid on defense, but nothing special.

He will not be returning.

9. Craig Kimbrel

Everyone’s favorite Dodger. Craig Kimbrel, who was traded for AJ Pollock, replaced Kenley Jansen as the team’s closer, and made $16 million in 2022, didn’t make the playoff roster. He was the target of so much Dodgers criticism this season that there’s no possible way the front office could even dream of a reunion here.

His 3.75 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, 72 strikeouts and 22 saves in 60 innings certainly weren’t “bad” numbers, but Kimbrel made it look a lot harder than it should’ve been more times than not.

8. Hanser Alberto

Hanser Alberto?! Ranked ahead of a guy with 40-homer power and future Hall of Famer?! Yes, precisely. Why? Because Alberto filled a valuable role. He was an energetic clubhouse guy. He could play multiple positions when the Dodgers were in a pinch. He saved the bullpen by eating garbage innings. That’s a solid 3-for-1 deal!

He has a $2 million team option. Dodgers fans could certainly see him gone, but with that value, where are you finding a better option?

7. David Price

Had Price not fallen off down the stretch and succumbed to injury (and workload issues) once again, he might’ve been ranked higher. He finished with a 2.45 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 1.17 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 40.1 innings out of the bullpen. He even logged two saves. Not bad!

But he’s been more of a problem than an asset for the Dodgers since coming over in the Mookie Betts trade. Two years in a row, he wasn’t ready/built up for spring training, for whatever reason. Now he’s going to mull retirement.

The Dodgers shouldn’t (and won’t) waste their time here.

Schedule