Dodgers Offseason: Players, Coaches Trending Up And Down

With the World Series set to begin today, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves on the outside looking in; however, their offseason has been interesting to say the least.

The Dodgers find themselves with a new infielder, a dozen free agents and an uncertain manager situation.

We take a look at what is trending up and trending down with the Dodgers.

Trending Up

Alex Guerrero

The Cuban infielder who has “signed” with the Dodgers a couple times already has officially signed with the club. The Dodgers signed Guerrero to a four-year deal worth $28 million

Guerrero is projected to be the Dodgers’ second baseman next season with the impending decision on incumbent Mark Ellis, who has an option that hasn’t been picked up yet. The Cuban product is said to have good power and decent speed, although he hasn’t played in a real game since defecting to the Dominican Republic earlier this year.

In his last season in Cuba, the 26-year-old hit .290 with 21 home runs. Guerrero would join a lineup with fellow Cuban Yasiel Puig, as well as sluggers Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp.

Rick Honeycutt, Davey Lopes & Tim Wallach

The three Dodger coaches all had their options for next season picked up. Honeycutt has been with the team since 2006, while Lopes and Wallach were brought in before the 2011 season.

All three coaches are former Dodgers’ and have done well for the team after their playing days. Honeycutt helped Dodger pitchers record the second-lowest ERA in the majors and the starting staff had the lowest combined ERA this season at 3.13.

Lopes and Wallach have done well coaching the bases, often being aggressive in the right situations. In the offseason, Lopes will most likely be given the task of showing Puig the nuances of running the bases and how to steal a base.

Ricky Nolasco

It may be hard to imagine Nolasco as trending up after his start in Game 4 of the NLCS when he allowed a monstrous home run to Cardinal Matt Holliday and lasted just four innings giving up three runs.

However, Nolasco is a free agent and could be set to make some big money this offseason after seeing Tim Lincecum receive a two-year deal for $35 million dollars from the San Francisco Giants. Lincecum was 10-14 with a 4.37 ERA with the “team up North” this past season.

Comparatively, Nolasco was 13-11 with a 3.70 ERA with both the Miami Marlins and the Dodgers. With the Dodgers, Nolasco went 8-3 with a 3.52 ERA; however, he did falter late in the season and in the playoffs. There has been no inclination from the Dodgers if they plan on re-signing Nolasco as of now.

It may seem reasonable for Nolasco to get a four-year deal in the range of $75 million dollars. Starting pitching has become a premium in the majors and the 30-year-old right hander could cash in this winter.

Trending Down

Trey Hillman

The Dodger bench coach was relieved of his duties on Tuesday, becoming the first casualty of the coaching staff. Hillman was hired in 2010 and spent the last three seasons as the bench coach.

Hillman was hired by Mattingly back in 2010 and is known for being very close to the Dodger manager. It was also reported that Hillman may stay with the organization in some capacity, but it is unclear if he would accept.

The new bench coach will most likely be determined after the manager situation is resolved.

Peter Moylan 

With the signing of Guerrero, the reliever became the corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster after being designated for assignment. Moylan spent most of the season playing for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, posting a 6.46 ERA this season with the Dodgers in 14 games.

The right-hander could remain with the club if he accepts a Triple-A assignment or he could choose to become a free agent and sign elsewhere.

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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!

http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME