Dodgers: Yimi García and Scott Alexander Identified as Non-Tender Candidates

The non-tender deadline is upon us. All 30 MLB teams have until Monday to either inform their arbitration-eligible players that they will receive a contract for the 2020 season (become tendered), or become free agents.

Players who become tendered will negotiate with their respective teams on a deal leading up to arbitration hearings in February. Those who are non-tendered will be free to immediately sign with any team.

For the Dodgers, two players that fans might want to be ready part with are relief pitchers Yimi Garcia and Scott Alexander, at least that’s according to MLB Trade Rumors. They compiled a list of players that could possibly be cut loose from their teams, although they made it clear that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the players listed are likely to be non-tendered at all.

Here are the three things Yimi Garcia should work on this offseason.

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— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) November 22, 2019

Rather, Steve Adams says, they “list any player for which we can envision at least a 10-20 percent chance of a non-tender.”

Garcia and Alexander are each projected to make roughly $1 million in 2020.

Garcia pitched 62.1 innings in 64 games for the Dodgers in 2019, finishing 22 of them. He allowed 40 hits and 28 runs for an ERA of 3.61, a 1-4 record, and 0.2 WAR.

Alexander’s 2019 was cut short by injury. He was originally placed on the 10-day IL in June with inflammation in his left forearm, however that turned into issues with his thumb and nerves which led to him being placed on the 60-day IL in August. He did not return the rest of the season.

Before his injuries flared up, Alexander appeared in 28 games for the Dodgers. He had a 3.63 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched, struck out nine batters, and also had a WAR of 0.2.

With the bullpen being such a pressing need for the Dodgers going into 2020, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the club willing to part ways with Garcia and Alexander in hopes of finding more production elsewhere.

However, at only $1M a piece, chances are that the club could retain one or both of the players and look to trade or release them when the need for a 40-man roster spot comes up.