Dodgers Need to Clear 40-Man Roster Spot for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Here’s How

Thursday night, Dodgers fans everywhere rejoiced as Andrew Friedman and the front office delivered yet another massive signing. The Dodgers and NPB star right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto agreed on a 12-year, $325 million contract.

Now, while there is a deal in place that has been principally agreed upon, there are a few I’s to be dotted and T’s to be crossed.

First, Yamamoto needs to pass a physical. While generally ceremonial, the past few years have shown some examples of this going south. Namely, the Giants backed out of their mega deal with Carlos Correa over his physical. Also, the trade among the Dodgers, Twins, and Angels soured over the medicals surrounding Brusdar Graterol.

Secondly, and arguably most impactful, revolves around the Dodgers’ 40-man roster situation. Before signing Yamamoto, the front office needs to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Dodgers DFA Candidates

Constructed of starters, top prospects, and necessary bullpen depth, no one jumps off the page as a DFA candidate. However, within the 40-man roster lie some redundancies with the bullpen.

Yency Almonte, Ricky Vanasco, and Ryan Yarbrough all play similar roles on the team. They provide good middle relief with the ability to pitch multiple innings. The team could realistically move on from one of them just because someone else can fill their role immediately.

Dodgers Trade Candidates

The organization also has a log jam with their young starting pitchers. After adding Yamamoto, the team will have four electric starters – Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, and Bobby Miller. That leaves one spot in the rotation for Michael Grove, Emmet Sheehan, Nick Frasso, Landon Knack, or Gavin Stone.

Even if the team decides to go with a six-man rotation, that leaves two spots for five players. Of the five, the organization seems highest on Sheehan and Stone. They likely would not be involved in a trade, but for the right player, no one is untouchable.

The front office could put together one very enticing trade package if they added a Michael Busch or Miguel Vargas, too. These players have talent but currently have no position on the major league roster.

With Mookie Betts slated to take over at second base, that only leaves left field as a defensive need. That severely cuts into the opportunities for Vargas and Busch, neither of whom plays left field. They need everyday at-bats, but it does not look like they’ll get that opportunity in L.A.

A package involving any of these players could “wow” another franchise. The organization has a plethora of top-prospect talent and should use that to bring in an impact major league player.

The Austin Barnes Conundrum

Not many will like to hear this, but Austin Barnes’ time with the Dodgers may come to an end sooner rather than later. A captain and clubhouse leader, Barnes has provided the fanbase and organization with many good memories and moments.

However, his precipitous dropoff in production severely hampers the team when he’s in the lineup. By pretty much any offensive or defensive metric in baseball, Barnes grades out rather poorly.

Also, the Dodgers are currently carrying four catchers on the 40-man roster, which is a lot. On the last year of his contract, and due only $3.5 million, the Dodgers could move on from Barnes to give Hunter Feduccia a chance as the backup catcher.

It would be a shock to see an L.A. roster without Barnes on it, but the are some signs pointing in that direction. Although, some have hinted at the possibility of bringing him back on as a bench coach to keep his influence in the locker room.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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