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Grading every important offseason move the Dodgers made to set up Yamamoto deal
The Dodgers made the biggest headlines of the offseason when they officially signed RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million deal. While many thought L.A. might have gotten their golden goose and were ready to pivot to making smaller moves, Ohtani's contract details revealed the Dodgers likely weren't actually done hunting major free agents yet.
As pretty much everyone has heard by now (and potentially complained about if they're fans of other teams), $680 million of Ohtani's contract is being paid out via deferrals. That grants the Dodgers extra financial flexibility to fill out the roster, and so far, L.A. has taken full advantage of that opportunity.
Shortly after the Ohtani deal, L.A. made another big splash by acquiring RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca. But that wasn't even the end of that deal. The deal was contingent on Glasnow agreeing to a contract extension, and eventually it was announced that in addition to the $25 million that Glasnow will make in 2024, the Dodgers signed him to a four-year, $111.5 million extension. This allowed the Dodgers to -- ONCE AGAIN! -- close on another massive free agent, landing Yoshinobu Yamamoto late Thursday night. It's tough to argue with the chain of events, but we've graded the moves that led to that earth-shattering conclusion (although Kershaw's still waiting...).
Shohei Ohtani signs 10-year, $700 million deal
Grade: A+
There isn't much to dislike about this deal. Frankly, I wish I could give out a higher grade, because a regular A+ grade doesn't accurately describe how great this deal was. Dodgers fans were fed up with the pattern of 100-win regular seasons paired with early postseason exits, and the fact that L.A. let beloved players like Corey Seager, Justin Turner, and Cody Bellinger walk in free agency. While the circumstances surrounding each of those players (and others who left) varied, L.A. needed to make a big splash after a relatively dull 2022 offseason, and this signing was just what the doctor ordered.
There were rumors that the Dodgers were trying to get under the Luxury Tax threshold to reset the penalty before signing Ohtani. That was a large factor in the Dodgers' decision to let players leave in free agency, and whether or not L.A. avoided the luxury tax penalty, the Dodgers stuck to their strategy and invested big money into Ohtani. The deferrals, however, are what makes this deal an A+ deal. Ohtani not only has allowed the Dodgers to stay in the race for other big-name free agents, but he has also helped in recruiting pitches to those players, knowing that the Dodgers will hold up their end of the bargain if he could help steer a player like Yoshinobu Yamamoto to L.A, and spoiler alert, he did.
Dodgers acquire RHP Tyler Glasnow and OF Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny Deluca, sign Glasnow to four-year, $111.5 million extension.
Grade: B+
Glasnow is going to give the Dodgers the top-of-the-rotation starter that L.A. desperately needed, given last year's struggles and injury timetables for RHP Dustin May and Ohtani, who will both likely be unable to pitch in 2024 (though Ohtani will still DH). However, the Dodgers arguably needed quantity as much as they needed quality, so trading away Pepiot, who had a 2.76 ERA in 78.1 innings with the Dodgers across 2022 and 2023, was not an ideal move. The price for Glasnow was obviously not going to be cheap, but perhaps L.A. could have dealt a prospect — Nick Frasso, River Ryan, and Landon Knack are some names that come to mind — who was less MLB-ready to keep the depth of the rotation intact.
Then there is the Margot portion of the deal. While Margot will see significant playing time as a corner outfielder for the Dodgers, the buzz around star OF Randy Arozarena's potential inclusion in a Glasnow deal made everyone wonder what if? Even with Margot, the Dodgers still have the need to find another capable outfielder (bringing Kiké Hernández back to fill that void wouldn't be a bad idea). Pair that uncertainty with the potential injury risk associated with Glasnow, and while this deal will easily make L.A. a better, more experienced team in 2024, there are enough potential downsides to keep this deal out of the A range.
Dodgers sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto to 12-year, $325 million deal
Grade: A
Well, my point about needing quantity and quality came true later on in free agency, when it was announced that the Dodgers signed Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year deal. Yamamoto just finished off his third consecutive NPB season with an ERA under 1.68, and was arguably the most sought-after free agent of the offseason other than Ohtani. Yamamoto simultaneously brings more depth to the Dodgers' pitching staff, while also being a front-end starter who could easily become the Opening Day starter for L.A. this March. The Dodgers proved their willingness to break the bank for the right player at the right time by signing Ohtani, and this signing further proved that the Dodgers truly believe in their ability to contend for the next decade while Mookie Betts, Ohtani, and Yamamoto are all under contract.
Dodgers sign OF Jason Heyward to one-year, $9 million deal
Grade: B
After rough seasons with the Cubs in 2021 and 2022, Heyward's struggles at the plate had him on the verge of being unplayable at the major league level, despite still being a good defensive outfielder. In 2023, however, Heyward's bat was rejuvenated with the Dodgers, leading to a season with 15 HR and an .813 OPS. Paired with 6 Outs Above Average in right field, as well as his role in mentoring OF James Outman throughout his breakout season, and Heyward put together a very solid season for L.A.
Entering his 15th season, Heyward's role will likely be as the Dodgers' primary right fielder (definitely against righty starters), especially given Betts' likely transition to playing a majority of his games as a second baseman. Heyward was a solid piece for L.A. in 2023, and this deal was warranted given his contributions.
Dodgers sign RHP Joe Kelly to one-year, $8 million deal
Grade: B
Kelly is a longtime fan favorite and turned in some good outings down the stretch after he was traded from the White Sox to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Kelly had a 4.97 ERA in 29 innings with the White Sox, but thrived with the Dodgers, posting a 1.74 ERA in 10.1 innings. While Kelly's appearances were limited by injuries late in the season, he still had a good enough stint with L.A. that the Dodgers wanted him back for the 2024 season. The Dodgers saved some money with this deal by declining Kelly's $9.5 million club option for the season, and Kelly fills the need the Dodgers had for some more veteran arms in the bullpen.
Dodgers sign RHP Daniel Hudson to a minor-league contract
Grade: B+
Daniel Hudson has a 1.97 ERA across two seasons as a Dodger. However, the reason his deal is a minor-league contract is because that production has only been across 27.1 innings. Hudson spent time recovering from a torn left ACL that cut his 2022 campaign short, then sprained his MCL in his right knee after making just three appearances in 2023. Hudson has been very unlucky with injuries, and considering he is going to be 37 years old before the season starts, it makes sense that his market in free agency was small.
If Hudson can't get back on track or stay healthy, it won't cost the Dodgers much, but, if Hudson can stay healthy and pitch at the level he did in 2022, this deal will end up being a steal for the Dodgers. That's why this deal receives such a positive grade.
Dodgers trade LHP Victor González and INF Jorbit Vivas to the Yankees for SS Trey Sweeney
Grade: C+
The Dodgers needed to clear up two spots on the 40-man roster in order to make the Kelly and Ohtani signings official, and that is exactly what this deal did. In terms of the players involved, while González was a key piece in the 2020 bullpen and actually picked up the win in the championship-clinching Game 6 of the World Series, he could not carve out a consistent role in the bullpen since then.
Vivas and Sweeney are relatively similarly-ranked prospects, and Sweeney now becomes the 18th-ranked Dodgers prospect according to MLB, but unlike Vivas, he will not need to be on the 40-man roster. Given the domino effects of this trade, it was a necessary move for the Dodgers to make, but on its own, this trade will probably end up a net negative for L.A.
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