Dodgers’ Friedman Faces First Test
Sep 24, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis (17) during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 9-1 to clinch the NL West Division Championship. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Can the Dodgers bolster the infield?
With the loss of Hanley Ramirez, the Dodgers have a big hole to fill at the shortstop position. We previously discussed the options available to the Dodgers and they can best be described as slim.
The Dodgers may be better off looking within to fill this role. Despite the questions marks surrounding their internal candidates, the risk to reward ratio of staying in-house might be too good to pass up when compared to other options on the market.
Shortstop isn’t the only concern, however. Despite being very popular in the clubhouse and a clear favorite of pitcher Clayton Kershaw, A.J. Ellis became a real liability on offense. Ellis was almost non-existent at the plate, batting only .191 with 3 HR and 25 RBI.
The Dodgers will need more from their catcher in 2015.
Sources told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that the Dodgers offered catcher Russell Martin as much as $74 million over 4 years to return to LA before he ultimately made the decision to sign with Toronto.
For a team looking to cut back on their spending this offseason, this offer to Martin points to how important the Dodgers feel an upgrade may be to their success moving forward.
A bargain player such as Wil Nieves from the Philadelphia Phillies might be a name to consider this offseason. At age 36, Nieves would not be a long-term solution. But he could give a bit more at the plate while still providing the strong defense the team currently gets out of the catchers on the roster.
Needless to say, Andrew Friedman has his hands full this offseason. Every move the Dodgers make (or don’t make) during these winter meetings will be highly scrutinized.
These winter meetings won’t make or break the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. But, as we all know, you only get a chance to make one first impression. In the eyes of the media and a fanbase starved for a return to glory, this week may create an opinion of this front office that sticks with them their entire tenure in LA.
Will Friedman hit it out of the park? Or will he be caught looking at strike three?