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It’s been a reasonably quiet offseason by Dodgers’ requirements, as they’ve shied away from the top-of-the-market commitments they’ve embraced in prior years. Los Angeles re-signed Clayton Kershaw, introduced in J.D. Martinez, Noah Syndergaard and Shelby Miller on one-year free agent pacts, and purchased Miguel Rojas from the Marlins to bolster their center infield depth. They watched Trea Turner, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney and Cody Bellinger depart.
Whereas it’s nonetheless one of many sport’s strongest rosters high to backside, the Dodgers have a number of extra query marks than they’ve had lately. That’s very true within the outfield. Mookie Betts is a celebrity; the 2 different positions are extra up within the air. Bellinger was lower free after two straight dismal offensive seasons, leaving a middle area emptiness the group hasn’t subsequently addressed.
Their comparatively restrained winter was seemingly tied to a want to dip underneath the $233MM luxurious tax threshold. That may have reset their payor standing and keep away from the related escalating penalties if/after they went again above that mark subsequent offseason. The discount of Trevor Bauer’s suspension put greater than $22MM again onto the books and pushed them narrowly again above the edge, which they doubled down on with the Rojas commerce. Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic prompt as a part of a reader mailbag final week the group now not appears prone to attempt to limbo beneath the tax line.
That theoretically opens the potential for additional spending, because the Dodgers’ projected $238MM CBT determine is sort of a bit decrease than these of their earlier two seasons. There hasn’t been a lot indication Los Angeles plans to make any significant additions between now and Opening Day although. The Dodgers monitored the middle area market earlier within the winter however have come up empty. That’s now nearly barren, other than a possible commerce for Minnesota’s Max Kepler (who’s extra conversant in proper area) or a protracted shot deal involving Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds. The nook outfield market nonetheless has Jurickson Profar and depth sorts like Ben Gamel and David Peralta out there in free company and maybe commerce prospects like Anthony Santander or Seth Brown. The Dodgers haven’t been publicly linked to anybody in that group.
If that is the outfield, the group will go into the season with extra notable questions than they’ve had up to now couple years. Betts continues to be one of many high 5 gamers within the sport. His projected outfield mates all have expertise however include straightforward to identify draw back. Let’s run by means of the group who might be part of Betts on the Dodger Stadium grass.
Taylor’s equally able to taking part in the infield however appears ticketed for outfield work, notably within the wake of the Rojas pickup. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman advised MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM over the weekend that was the plan. Freddie Freeman, rookie Miguel Vargas, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy and Rojas determine to cowl the infield if everybody’s wholesome, with J.D. Martinez manning designated hitter.
A 12 months in the past, Taylor taking part in on a regular basis in left or heart area would’ve been a superbly comfy resolution. Whereas it’d play out that approach, it’s now not as secure a guess after he struggled within the first season of a brand new four-year deal. For the primary time in his six seasons in Southern California, Taylor posted a below-average slash line. He hit .221/.304/.373 with 10 residence runs throughout 454 plate appearances, lacking round a month midseason with a foot fracture.
Taylor nonetheless drew an honest variety of walks with a barely above-average exhausting contact share, however his contact fee cratered. He struck out in over 35% of his plate appearances, the best fee of any participant with 450+ journeys. It was an identical story on a per-pitch foundation. Taylor made contact on solely 62.1% of his swings, once more the worst mark amongst hitters who logged as a lot taking part in time as he did.
One poor season doesn’t fully negate the .265/.343/.461 line he managed between 2017-21. He’s actually proficient sufficient to play higher than he did in 2022. But given final 12 months’s struggles, the Dodgers might have a contingency plan within the occasion he once more battles important swing-and-miss considerations. That’s notably true given the Dodgers’ questionable heart area composition.
Thompson might be going to get the primary crack at that job with the group not making any additions. In a single regard, the 31-year-old is within the reverse boat as Taylor. He had an unbelievable 2022 season that belied his lack of a longtime MLB monitor document earlier than final 12 months. That mentioned, the principle concern with Thompson is identical because it for L.A.’s presumptive left fielder: strikeouts.
Acquired from the Tigers in a seemingly minor June commerce, Thompson acquired into 80 video games for L.A. down the stretch. He was given 255 plate appearances, his most in an enormous league marketing campaign since 2016, and was one of many group’s handiest hitters. He put up a .256/.353/.507 line with 13 residence runs. Thompson made exhausting contact on an enormous 47% of his batted balls whereas strolling at a superb 12.7% clip. That sort of energy and plate self-discipline are intriguing, although his 36.5% strikeout share was even greater than Taylor’s.
It wouldn’t matter that Thompson’s putting out at that fee if he’s reaching base and driving the ball the best way he did final season. Whether or not he can keep that sort of type over a full schedule is unclear. Thompson has by no means performed greater than 80 MLB video games in a 12 months and carried a profession .208/.283/.405 line into final season. He’s proven the bodily instruments to influence a lineup at his finest and sufficient swing-and-miss to end in an unplayable on-base share at his worst.
The 25-year-old Outman might be the primary man up within the occasion of an harm or efficiency struggles from Thompson. He performed in 4 large league video games final 12 months however spent many of the season within the higher minors. It was a breakout 12 months for the previous Seventh-round draftee. Between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis, Outman linked on 31 residence runs and doubles apiece whereas posting a cumulative .294/.393/.586 slash in 559 plate appearances. He walked at a 12.5% clip whereas putting out 27.2% of the time.
Once more, it’s an offensive profile pushed by energy and walks with regarding whiff totals. Outman is an effective prospect, checking in tenth on Baseball America’s offseason write-up of a robust Dodgers’ system. The outlet praises Outman’s energy and suggests he’s athletic sufficient to be an above-average heart fielder. There’s an opportunity he’s an on a regular basis participant, although BA suggests he is perhaps higher suited in a role-playing or platoon capability given his propensity for whiffs on breaking pitches. Even the latter final result could be an awesome return on a Seventh-round decide and a testomony to Outman’s glorious minor league résumé nevertheless it raises considerations about his viability as an on a regular basis participant on a group with championship aspirations.
General Outlook
There are issues to love about every of Taylor, Thompson and Outman. It’s actually not an outfield devoid of upside. But it’s not as steady as the remainder of the Dodgers’ roster or the outfields L.A. has run out in earlier years. That’s reflective of Bellinger’s sudden offensive collapse that led to his non-tender and the membership’s comparatively modest offseason total.
Barring a late-winter pickup, the onus might fall on skipper Dave Roberts to patch issues collectively greater than he’s wanted up to now. A platoon of the lefty-swinging Outman and right-handed Thompson may suffice in heart area. Vargas can play some left area on days when he’s not within the infield, and maybe Martinez will log somewhat nook outfield work along with his DH reps.
Andy Pages is a high quality power-hitting prospect who’s already on the 40-man roster. He should still be a 12 months away after a effective however unexceptional exhibiting in Double-A. Michael Busch is one other highly-regarded offensive participant whose defensive questions at second base might push him to left area, however he’s barely performed there as an expert. Jonny DeLuca is on the 40-man roster as a possible depth participant. Veteran Bradley Zimmer will likely be in camp as a non-roster invitee and one other minor league deal or two appears believable.
There are many gamers who might work their approach into consideration. Outman, Pages, Busch and Vargas are highly-regarded prospects and spotlight the sort of farm depth the Dodgers might leverage in commerce midseason if the present group doesn’t pan out. Whereas issues are removed from dire, the Dodgers look ready to take extra of a bet within the outfield than they’ve in years previous.
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