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3 buy-low free agents with high upside that should interest Dodgers
The Dodgers can balance their spending between big and mid-tier.
Taking flyers on depreciated assets should never be the focus of a contender's offseason, though the Los Angeles Dodgers have done that an uncomfortable amount of times the last few years. Such a strategy should complement impact moves, however.
We've endlessly criticized the Dodgers for making risky moves and placing high expectations on those unknown commodities. And we'll continue to do that. But the fact of the matter is those kinds of additions are necessary because not every signing, trade, draft pick, etc. can be of the blockbuster variety.
The reality is that the Dodgers are going to be freeing up a ton of roster spots relatively soon. For starters, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May will be placed on the 60-day IL. Two right off the bat. And you mean to tell us all of Miguel Vargas, Michael Busch, Jorbit Vivas, Jonny Deluca, Andy Pages, Austin Barnes, Diego Cartaya, Hunter Feduccia, Nick Frasso, Gavin Stone, Gus Varland, Ricky Vanasco, Gavin Stone, Emmet Sheehan, Ryan Pepiot, Ryan Yarbrough, Landon Knack, Kyle Hurt, Bryan Hudson and Michael Grove are going to last until Opening Day? No shot. The Dodgers can easily free up 8-10 more spots by trading for two impact players.
Signing two more still leaves space. That's where the sensible low-risk, high-reward moves come in. We've already explored some non-tender candidates that LA should be interested in. Time to explore some other big-name free agents.
3 buy-low free agents with high upside that should interest Dodgers
Lucas Giolito
Once upon a time, fans were (rightfully) calling for the Dodgers to trade for Lucas Giolito at the 2023 deadline to aid an ailing rotation. But the Angels jumped the line, paid a pretty steep price, and watched the right-hander absolutely crater.
After being exposed to waivers a month later, Giolito fell even further with the Cleveland Guardians. What in the world happened?!
Then again, does it really matter from our perspective? That's for Mark Prior to figure out, as he's done with countless arms. LA native Giolito's value is at an all-time low and the Dodgers need rotation depth. Bring him in. Let him work with the coaching staff throughout the offseason. And then you either have a starter who can eat innings or a No. 2 arm slotting in your No. 4-5 spot. Win-win.
Martin Perez
That's World Champion Martin Perez to you! The left-hander is coming off a title run with the Texas Rangers, though he wasn't the front-facing feature act like he was in 2022 when he got an All-Star nod and finished with a 2.89 ERA in 32 starts.
But after 20 starts and a 4.89 ERA in 2023, he was moved to the bullpen, where he performed much better. The veteran had a 2.70 ERA in 15 games as a reliever. Not bad! The only downside was that he was called upon for just 4.2 postseason innings and didn't perform particularly well.
Perez isn't somebody the Dodgers should sign to improve their rotation or bullpen -- he should be added to eat innings wherever he might be needed. Entering his age-33 season, Perez has logged 196 and 141 innings each of the past two years. That has value. And given his role is a bit up in the air right now, it's another situation where his value is arguably at its lowest.
Think a cheaper and less effective version of Andrew Heaney but with more runway. Not an inspiring signing, but one that helps you trudge through a 162-game season.
Gio Urshela
A contact bat that can play multiple defensive positions the Dodgers need to fill at a cheap price because of a recent hip injury? Come on down, Gio Urshela! The former Yankees hero saw just 62 games with the Angels in 2023. Any intel on his relationship with Shohei Ohtani? Somebody wanna get on that? Could be smart.
Either way, Urshela is an elevated version of Miguel Rojas. He can hit. He can effectively play shortstop and third base -- two positions the Dodgers are going to need help at if they keep the status quo. Though his OPS doesn't knock your socks off, he hovers around .300 and has a penchant for hitting with runners in scoring position as a bottom-of-the-lineup bat (.260 AVG, .705 OPS for his career).
There are risks. He's entering his age-32 season and coming off a fractured pelvis. But the veteran moxy and versatility are there. The Dodgers clearly don't trust Vargas or Busch to take on a greater workload (their actions are different from their words). The Dodgers' capable infield depth is non-existent.
Urshela's just a freeway trip away and it'd be a micro cost for one season.
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