The annual projected 2023 arbitration numbers by MLB Commerce Rumors dropped a pair weeks in the past, and it’s a little bit troublesome to squeeze that in throughout a postseason run — even when it was quick … sigh.
I checked out it briefly in my 40-man roster reset, however let’s go a little bit extra in depth proper now.
The Dodgers have 12 arbitration-eligible gamers, which is essentially the most within the Andrew Friedman period. That they had 11 arbitration-eligible gamers all the way in which again in 2015 — his first offseason as Dodgers’ president of baseball operations.
LA has executed properly to lock up some gamers in the course of the arbitration interval, even when only for a yr or two. Guys like Austin Barnes, Walker Buehler, Max Muncy and Chris Taylor all signed some type of arbitration extensions that purchased out some years. However this yr, there are numerous first-time eligible guys. Right here’s the checklist.
- OF Cody Bellinger (Arb 4, $18.1 million)
- LHP Julio Urias (Arb 4, $13.7 million)
- RHP Walker Buehler (Arb 3, $8.1 million)
- LHP Caleb Ferguson (Arb 2, $1.1 million)
- C Will Smith (Arb 1, $5.2 million)
- RHP Tony Gonsolin (Arb 1, $3.5 million)
- OF Trayce Thompson (Arb 1, $1.7 million)
- 1B/3B Edwin Rios (Arb 1, $1.4 million)
- RHP Dustin Might (Arb 1, $1.4 million)
- RHP Evan Phillips (Arb 1, $1.4 million)
- RHP Brusdar Graterol (Arb 1, $1.2 million)
- RHP Yency Almonte (Arb 1, $1 million)
Be mindful these are projections, but when they’re all correct, the 12 gamers will account for $57.8 million of subsequent yr’s payroll. And apart from the $18.1 million elephant within the room (on the checklist?), everybody can be tendered contracts.
Urias is in his last yr of arbitration and, whereas the Dodgers would like to signal him long-term, it in all probability isn’t going to occur — he’s, in spite of everything, a Scott Boras shopper. Buehler is out till 2024, however he has already been value properly transfer than the $8.1 million. Smith has a hefty first-year arb quantity, so he’s going to begin getting actually costly. He may very well be an extension candidate earlier than too lengthy. Gonsolin’s first-time quantity is critical, contemplating he had thrown simply 142 1/3 innings in his profession earlier than 2022. He threw 130 1/3 innings of All-Star ball this previous season and, if he’s capable of stick with it, may also be getting dearer.
All the opposite first-timers may very well be massive elements of the staff going ahead. Laborious to consider that may very well be mentioned about guys like Almonte, Phillips and Thompson (previous to the season), however they’re younger, they’re low-cost they usually’re good. That’s going to assist the Dodgers use their monetary benefit elsewhere to enhance the staff.
After which we ccome to Bellinger. He was projected to make $15.9 million as a third-time eligible participant final winter earlier than agreeing to a $17 million deal simply earlier than the lockout. The projected $1.1 million elevate isn’t outlandish, however that is his last yr earlier than free company and he simply isn’t the participant he was simply three quick years in the past. I wrote extra in-depth in regards to the conundrum.
“Bellinger’s tenure with the Dodgers has been a story of two halves. The primary half of his profession, he was a fan favourite and franchise cornerstone. The second half has been riddled with poor efficiency, harm and subpar play, should you take into account expectations.
If I’m Friedman, I in all probability take an opportunity on Robert Van Scoyoc and Brant Brown getting Bellinger again to at the very least common type, however I’m not Friedman. The Dodgers have till Dec. 2 to determined about tending him a contract. He is also traded by that point. We’ll see what occurs. And no matter occurs, Bellinger has definitely given Dodger followers some good and not-so-good reminiscences.”
He’s an actual candidate to be non-tendered. If that occurs, the Dodgers might use a few of the financial savings on a brand new shortstop or rotation assist. That would depart some sort of Taylor, Thompson and James Outman platoon in middle subject. The protection can be fairly good, however the offense would depart one thing to be desired. Then once more, Bellinger has been one of many worst hitters within the recreation over the past three years, so possibly the offensive manufacturing wouldn’t be that massive a detriment.
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Whereas long-term offers for Urias and/or Smith can be good, they aren’t anticipated. And the largest query is what the Dodgers will do about Bellinger. They’ve a few month (Dec. 2) to determine.