3 recently non-tendered players Dodgers should sign immediately

Spencer Turnbull

Now how about a minor-league deal? The Dodgers struck gold with Jason Heyward last year. Maybe Spencer Turnbull, who was just jettisoned by the Detroit Tigers, could get right in LA.

Turnbull's last three years have been killed because of injuries. He needed Tommy John in 2021 and didn't pitch at all in 2022. He returned in 2023 and dealt with foot and neck issues that mostly kept him in the minors. He's made just 16 MLB starts since 2021.

But he's got that famous fastball-slider combo the Dodgers love. And he throws a hard sinker. He's boasted a high ground ball rate when he's had large enough sample sizes. Typically, these kinds of flyers for injured assets aren't favorable for LA, but Turnbull won't at all be a risk. He's getting a minor-league deal or a very, very cheap MLB deal (if he's lucky). He was due $2.4 million in arbitration.

What's the harm in tossing him at Triple-A OKC to start the year and see how his rebound is going? If it's a failure, he can be thrown right back into the pool. If there's any potential, the Dodgers have someone they can bring up to the big-league level for assistance. And because he's pitched so little since 2020, perhaps he can provide swingman innings, like Hudson, in this hypothetical situation.

Again, the potential here is better than whatever Yarbrough, Grove and the injured Dustin May/Tony Gonsolin can offer in 2024. Plus, guys like Gavin Stone and Emmet Sheehan can use some competition at Triple-A. We're all in favor if it's not going to cost the Dodgers and if the expectations are set properly.

At least one of these three guys can provide the proper risk-reward the Dodgers have been looking for the last three years.