Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman On Focus During Winter Meetings
The chaos that is off-season trades and signings is just getting started. It really began on Friday with Shohei Ohtani signing with the Angels and continued on Saturday with Giancarlo Stanton being traded to the Yankees. The Cubs kept things interesting on Sunday by signing Brandon Morrow to a two-year deal.
Now Winter Meetings have officially kicked off and the rumors are already circulating. Unfortunately, the Dodgers have managed to keep themselves out of the headlines. Los Angeles’ made a lot of huge moves last off-season by signing Rich Hill, Justin Turner, and Kenley Jansen, just to name a few. So what is their strategy for this off-season? Well, you probably won’t like it.
Andrew Friedman caught up with reporters on Monday afternoon and shared his thought process going into Winter Meetings. It seems like his main focus is on strengthening the bullpen, which I’m sure the loss of Brandon Morrow only puts more importance on this. It also doesn’t appear like starting pitchers are on his radar, even with the loss of Yu Darvish to free agency.
Friedman said bullpen construction & improvement is always, “front & center”. #WinterMeetings #Dodgers
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) December 11, 2017
Friedman said adding starting pitching is not a high priority. "We have a talented enough group to ride that out."
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 11, 2017
Friedman went on to note Yimi Garcia and Tony Cingrani as relievers that could pick up the slack now that Brandon Morrow is gone. Garcia underwent Tommy John Surgery in late 2016 and missed all of 2017 because of it. In 2015, Garcia put up an ERA of 3.34 and a WHIP of 0.95 in 56.2 innings. Cingrani, on the other hand, came to the Dodgers at the trade deadline and was solid. In 19.1 innings with the Dodgers, Cingrani put up a 2.79 ERA and had a WHIP of 1.09. These two guys will definitely be huge for the Dodgers’ bullpen in 2018.
Like I said earlier, the Dodgers had a very impactful, expensive winter after the 2016 season. Andrew Friedman touched on this and the difficulties that it brings below:
Without saying Stanton specifically, Andrew Friedman said any acquisitions this winter require payroll creativity, after locking the core in place last winter.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 11, 2017
Friedman said he's happy with the talent base. "We're not going to force anything" at Winter Meetings.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 11, 2017
What do you want to see from the Dodgers this off-season? Let us know in the comments below!
for another team good for all
Addison Reed, Zach Britton and Marcel Osuna
Dodgers are the old tampa bay group not going to shit except take fans money. maybe if fans quit going then just maybe
I think you are mostly right Ralph.. It’s more important to the tightwad Friedman to stay under the luxury tax than it is to get a bat and win the whole thing.. Cain is not the answer, but Braun could be.. As attested to by the loss of The WS, the need for some run production would be paramount.. if you are going to vie for the title.. realistically.. But no.. ! Dodger fans should voice their disdain for this approach..
With Kerahaw’s noticeable decline, shouldn’t a second “ACE Pitcher” be the top priority this 2018 season ? The remaining rotation is strong, but definitely not of ace-caliber quality, especially if one of them goes on the DL. I think it’s time to dump McCarthy, Kazmir, Ryu and Baez and buy an ace. After all, it’s pretty evident the LAD will again be set for October baseball and in need of more quality starting pitching.
If we can get Archer or Ozuna and not give up to much of our farm system then I would be ok with that.Other than that stand pat and wait until trade deadline to see where were at.
I really feel that with luxury tax problems we have there won’t be any changes on our team. The only exception will be minor leaguers. I also don’t see us even winning our division this year.