Not all is quiet on the National League Western front.
The Padres and Giants have been making major moves this offseason, even though the latter wished they signed their white whale, who instead has swum back to the Harlem River. Xander Boegarts, Sean Manaea, and Mitch Haniger will be the tips of the cash icebergs that these two California juggernauts will spend on during the 2022 offseason as the Winter Meetings have come and gone.
But where are the Dodgers?
The Dodgers are certainly bleeding blue after losing $100+ million in salaries this offseason. Yes, Clayton Kershaw is returning (as he does every year) and there are other Dodger stalwarts that remain on the free agent market, but it doesn’t “feel” like the Dodgers offseason so far. Trea Turner signed with the Phillies. David Price has decided he will not pitch in 2023. Tyler Anderson went to Orange County. Cody Bellinger flew to the Windy City. Andrew Heaney will pitch for the Rangers next year. Tommy Kahnle followed Aaron Judge to the Bronx. Those aren’t just role players who will not call Chavez Ravine home for 2023 and beyond. LA is losing a lot of talent, and didn’t say or do much at the Winter Meetings to change that sentiment. It’s also important to note that Julio Urias and Max Muncy will be free agents in 2024. What gives, Magic Johnson?
It's been an extremely long time since there has been attention given to the Dodgers’ farm system, but that drought will come to an end shortly. One of the phrases I like to use when describing the operational strategy of baseball teams is that good franchises win baseball games. Big market teams can lose to small market teams if they’re run the correct way. Just look at the Guardians and White Sox, for example. But in the Dodgers case, especially for this offseason that has seen dramatic spending (or attempts to do so) by its NL West constituents, that proficiency is manifesting in a robust farm system that will soon bare the next round of Los Angeles greats to compliment the veteran presence of future legends like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.
I’m not going to sit here and say that having money isn’t one of the most important ways to build up a team (and how the monetary power disparity will tear baseball apart), because that’s for a different post, but what I will say is that having a pipeline of prospects ready to make an impact is also crucial towards the survivability of a roster. Whether it be for the culture, the exchange of new ideas, or the veteran/young gun combination, teams have generally succeeded in the past when an influx of high-end rookies enter the fray over a span of a couple of seasons. Homegrown talent has helped plenty of teams with all sorts of money situations win big. After all, it’s a cheaper and more lucrative investment to spend on player development than to go out every year and spend a bajillion dollars on the top dogs. Seriously, the amount of large-contract free agents that have never won rings (or contributed towards that process through a postseason run) is staggering when you look at the numbers. Most of those contracts don’t end up being worth it and create a hostile lineup and/or rotation for fans to enjoy.
Diego Cartaya can play DH or platoon with Will Smith. Bobby Miller and Ryan Pepiot will fill some of the pitching void. Andy Pages and Michael Busch are the infield/outfield replacements. Miguel Vargas getting called up makes a Justin Turner extension obsolete. I’m not saying these guys will all pan out and help the Dodgers eclipse the single-season win total, but they’re all exciting players that have been waiting for their shot for a while. They’re confident in their abilities, and it seems like the Dodgers are as well. I wish I was a bigger follower of the Dodgers to understand the magnitude of this culture shift, but I don’t think SoCal has to worry about the Dodgers falling off a cliff in 2023. The Padres and Giants aren’t going to make enough noise to scare LA and the Diamondbacks and Rockies are, well, the Diamondbacks and Rockies. LA isn’t going anywhere and will have plenty of money in future years to spend when they need to make a splash. It’s a good time to introduce the new era of the Dodgers to Major League Baseball, and it’s a good time to bleed Dodger blue.
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