Dodgers willing to spend in winter to address holes After signing Cuban Guerrero, LA ready to pursue Japanese right-hander Tanaka By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 10/31/2013 12:49 P.M. ET LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are already out of the Robinson Cano sweepstakes, but they're still owned by billionaires and won't be using the bankruptcy playbook as they shop for free agents. They have serious interest in Japanese right-handed starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, especially if they can't bring back Ricky Nolasco with a contract befitting a fourth starter. Of course, they've collected plenty of nine-figure players, have a nine-figure negotiation upcoming with Clayton Kershaw and are committed to developing from within. They're also committed to breaking that quarter-century World Series drought, and doing both is no easy trick. A starting pitcher, as usual, is high on the priority list for general manager Ned Colletti, along with a couple of relievers and a couple of infielders, even after the signing of Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero. No matter what role Nolasco would have for another team, he'd be only a No. 4 starter for the Dodgers after Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu. The Dodgers have Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley coming off operations, plus Zach Lee and Ross Stripling knocking on the door out of the Minor Leagues. If Nolasco won't take a hometown discount and the Tanaka bidding goes through the roof, the Dodgers might consider Hiroki Kuroda for a one-year return rather than block the kids with a multi-year deal for a fourth starter. The problem with Kuroda is that it would likely cost the Dodgers a first-round Draft pick. They have potentially $30 million in salary coming off the books, pending whatever raise Kershaw gets. That includes the final deferred payment to Manny Ramirez, although there's still one year left until Andruw Jones' contract runs off. Ideally, the Dodgers would bring back set-up men Brian Wilson and J.P. Howell, and they figure to make a run at both. The club is especially thin in left-handed relief, with Paco Rodriguez fading in September and Scott Elbert not expected back until after the All-Star break. After so many of his players were hurt in 2013, Colletti voiced one specific desire for the winter. "We need to get younger in some areas, younger and more athletic," he said. The first move in that direction was locking up Guerrero (26) as the second baseman. Now they can mull whether to keep Juan Uribe (34) at third base or upgrade with a trade. Because they don't know if Guerrero is ready, Colletti hinted last week that he might bring back Mark Ellis (36) too. Guerrero can also play shortstop, which raises the possibility of moving Hanley Ramirez to third base and either re-signing Ellis to play second base or finding a similar replacement. An aging bench that lacked power needs to be addressed. Jerry Hairston (37), Nick Punto (36 next month), Skip Schumaker (33) and Michael Young (37) are free agents. Shortstop Dee Gordon will play the outfield in winter ball, and if that experiment goes well, it could be his ticket back to the Major Leagues. CONTRACT ISSUES Free agents: Jerry Hairston, J.P. Howell, Carlos Marmol, Ricky Nolasco, Nick Punto, Skip Schumaker, Juan Uribe, Edinson Volquez, Brian Wilson, Michael Young. Players with 2014 options are: Chris Capuano (mutual option $8 million or $1 million buyout) and Mark Ellis (club option $5.75 million or $1 million buyout). Arbitration eligibles: Mike Baxter, Ronald Belisario, Drew Butera, Scott Elbert, A.J. Ellis, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw Non-tender possibilities: Baxter, Butera, Elbert AREAS OF NEED Starting pitching: They need fourth and fifth starters, but have Beckett (expected for Spring Training) and Billingsley (expected in May) coming off operations, Stephen Fife and Matt Magill with Major League experience, and prospects Lee and Stripling ready for a shot. A short-term deal with Kuroda would make sense. Bullpen: Maybe the most important re-signing would be left-handed workhorse Howell, as Elbert missed the entire season with elbow surgery and Rodriguez went into such a late tailspin that he was left off the National League Championship Series roster. But Howell will be looking for a multi-year deal, and that didn't go well with Brandon League and Matt Guerrier. It's unlikely Wilson will settle for a return as Jansen's set-up man, and just as unlikely the Dodgers will trust Belisario or League with the job. Bench: If they ever get Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier and Yasiel Puig healthy together, the one not starting each game becomes the beginning of a potent bench. They could use the power, because the bench this year was all singles hitters. 2014 Payroll: They spent $230 million in 2013 and are already committed for $175 million to 12 players in '14, not even counting Clayton Kershaw. That said, they'd eventually like to show a little restraint. Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. __
Nolasco has been pretty good over the last few years, but I think I'd rather try to sign Tanaka. Wouldn't be upset if we sign either one though. Solid first four starters and then Beckett/Lee can battle it out in ST with Billingsley in the second half. A part of me wants to see some offensive upgrades, but the biggest upgrade (on paper) will be Kemp and Hanley healthy. These two with Puig are the 4-5+ win players when healthy that have to lead the team.
Looking at what the team did this year, and the ultimate result of it all, I think we are only 11 players away from the WS Championship. Oh, and a few FO moves. But it's there if we want it. And I'm warmed already by the reports of the team listed to be interested in acquiring Jacoby Ellsbury, who will be a fab pickup when we go to the new 6 OF format that's coming down the pike.
I'm a fan of the 4-5 man outfield. Every time Crawford catches the ball he can just flip it to Kemp or Puig to throw it.
http://www.gammonsdaily.com/industry-sources-dodgers-strategy-to-acquire-price-and-tanaka/ Wow. Industry sources; Dodgers’ strategy to acquire Price and Tanaka by Peter Gammons | Gammons Daily -- November 1, 2013This is the time period when we hear endless reports of teams being interested in each free agent. But the qualifying offer clubs may tender limits markets. “The value of draft choices is greater than ever,” says one GM. “If a team signs a player who has been made a qualifying offer, the team not only loses the draft pick, but the money for that slot. “So,” says the GM, “if the Dodgers signed a free agent who’d been, made the qualifying offer, they lose the pick and the $1.2-$1.5M slot off their total draft allotment. That will restrict some free agents.” Because pitchers like Ricky Nolasco and Matt Garza were traded in mid-season, they are not subject to draft compensation. “So they’re going to do better than an Ervin Santana, if the Royals make the qualifying offer.” But, suggests several general managers, the Dodgers can avoid the loss of their number one pick and the slot money if they trade for David Price and get Masahiro Tanaka from Japan. “They have the minor league talent to get Price,” says one GM. “If they would trade Corey Seager and Julio Urias (the 17-year old lefthanded pitcher) and a couple out of Zach Lee, Joc Pederson or Chris Withrow, it would get it done. Then if they post $80M for Tanaka, they could have a rotation with four number ones and a number two with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Price, Tanaka and Hyun-Jin Ryu. But if they were to trade for Price, they’d need the draft pick to fill holes in their development system.” __
If the team does trade Seager, I bet the next thing we hear from the club is A: They are close and/or have resigned Hanley long term and B. instructed him to work at 3B in the offseason. Watch, the plan all along was to put Guerrero at SS, Hanley at 3B and bring in Cano for 2B
"If [the Dodgers] would trade Corey Seager and Julio Urias (the 17-year old lefthanded pitcher) and a couple out of Zach Lee, Joc Pederson or Chris Withrow, it would get it done." idk seager seems like the real deal from what a lot of you guys say and someone (i think it was chris) brought up price possibly having elbow issues i really hate giving up any of our prospects tbh but, i have to admit... a rotation of kershaw/greinke/price/tanaka/ryu would be uber-sexy :jugs: :ruca: :boobbounce: and, as they say, you have to give up something to get something... __
mas... Is Dodgers plan to get Tanaka and Price? Dodgers Nation -- 7 hours agoThe off-season is fully underway and the Los Angeles Dodgers made their second big decision of the winter yesterday when they declined the options of both Chris Capuano and Mark Ellis. Now, the Dodgers will explore the free agency market as they have 10 free agents of their own and have already been linked to Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price and Japanese sensation Masahiro Tanaka. However, industry sources are telling Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com that there could be a plan to acquire both:But, suggests several general managers, the Dodgers can avoid the loss of their number one pick and the slot money if they trade for David Price and get Masahiro Tanaka from Japan. If they would trade Corey Seager and Julio Urias (the 17-year old lefthanded pitcher) and a couple out of Zach Lee, Joc Pederson or Chris Withrow, it would get it done. Then if they post $80M for Tanaka, they could have a rotation with four number ones and a number two with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Price, Tanaka and Hyun-Jin Ryu. But if they were to trade for Price, they’d need the draft pick to fill holes in their development system.It was sources that told Gammons a month or so ago that the Dodgers would be an intriguing landing spot for Price, granted they give up some of their best prospects for him. Meanwhile, Tanaka is coveted by the Dodgers, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs, but has yet to be posted by his Japanese club nor has he signed with an agent. Now, acquiring both would be quite the haul and if the Guggenheim Group has taught Dodger fans anything: expect the unexpected. Magic Johnson, Ned Colletti and Stan Kasten have all stressed the Dodgers will be aggressive in their pursuit of players they want. This is the first of many juicy rumors surrounding the Dodgers, but odds are they’ll acquire one of the prized pitchers as giving away multiple prospects wasn’t something they’ve discussed. __
MLB had the audacity to beat us for the WS. That is unacceptable and ownership will not allow it to happen again. This offseason will be truly epic.
