Winter Moves: Grading the Los Angeles Dodgers

By Bobby DeMuro
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Updated: February 5, 2015

After a poor end to 2014, the Los Angeles Dodgers joined three other National League West organizations and changed general managers. Farhan Zaidi, a former Oakland Athletics executive, joined new president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in Chavez Ravine in November, and reshaped the roster. Here’s how the Los Angeles Dodgers offseason looked:

Joc Pederson [Image via @BBTN]

Outfielders
The biggest departure is Matt Kemp, who was sent to San Diego in a trade that returned catcher Yasmani Grandal, and pitchers Joe Wieland and Zach Eflin. Though he slashed .287/.346/.506 with 25 home runs and 89 RBIs in 599 plate appearances last year, Kemp missed 145 games in 2012 and 2013 combined and was part of an outfield logjam.

In his stead, Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford will take the corner positions. Scott Van Slyke is a capable platoon option, coming off career highs in nearly every statistical category including a.297/.386/.524 slash line. In addition, Zaidi acquired Chris Heisey from the Cincinnati Reds in December in exchange for pitcher Matt Magill. A career .247 hitter, the 30-year old Heisey can pinch hit and play all three outfield positions.

Center field remains a question, however. Andre Ethier returns, and without Kemp on the roster, he stands to be an everyday player. But, he is coming off the worst season of his career having hit just four home runs in 341 at-bats. Joc Pederson is seen as the future as a prospect who has speed, power, and hits for average. In 2014, Pederson became the first Pacific Coast League player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season since 1934, but he only managed four hits (and 11 strikeouts) in 28 big league at-bats. Pederson’s inexperience, and Ethier’s ineffectiveness, leave center field in question though the Los Angeles Dodgers have depth behind them.

Howie Kendrick [Image via @TheSportsDude]

Infielders
While Adrian Gonzalez will man first base, and Juan Uribe should hold down third, the story this winter is Jimmy Rollins. Along with Kemp, the departure of Hanley Ramirez means the Dodgers lose two bats from 2014’s potent offense. However, Ramirez is a poor defender (-0.7 dWAR last season, -4.1 dWAR career), and four-time Gold Glove winner Rollins is an immediate defensive upgrade.

In addition, what looked like a quagmire at second base with Justin Turner, Alex Guerrero, Darwin Barney and Erisbel Arruebarrena has become a strong point after Zaidi’s acquisition of Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Angels in December. Though he only hit seven home runs in 674 plate appearances in 2014, Kendrick slashed .293/.347/.397 – in line with his career averages – and the 30-year old will be a key everyday piece in Los Angeles.

Even with losing Ramirez’s bat, the acquisitions of Rollins and Kendrick mean the Dodgers have one of the better infields in baseball. Should Guerrero or Arruebarrena (or both) right the ship, they can serve valuable utility roles after the departure of Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas this winter.

Catchers
Grandal was an everyday catcher in San Diego but profiles as the backup to A.J. Ellis this year, after Ellis signed a one-year, $4.25 million deal in January. Grandal only hit .225 in 2014, but did have 15 home runs playing in pitcher-friendly Petco Park. For his career, Grandal has thrown out 17% of would-be base stealers, and holds a 0.2 dWAR – neither of which are great considering the catcher the Dodgers gave up in the deal, Tim Federowicz, sits at 37% and 1.2 dWAR.

Ellis will get significant time behind the plate, he’s adept at handling pitchers, and has caught 33% of would-be base stealers along with a 2.2 dWAR in his 7-year career. As a platoon option – and one who has said playing time is secondary to winning – Grandal is solid.

Starting Pitching
Zack Greinke, Hyun-jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw combined for 52 wins spanning 85 starts last year, so the majority of the starting rotation will give the Los Angeles Dodgers a chance to win every night. However, losing Josh Beckett (retirement), and Dan Haren (trade) forced Zaidi to seek out capable rotation options.

Brett Anderson [Image via @denverpost]

In December, Zaidi and Friedman signed Brandon McCarthy on a 4-year, $48 million deal, and while McCarthy put up good numbers in 2014, he only started 14 games. McCarthy has been on the disabled list nine times in his nine-year career, and while his numbers are what the Dodgers need, his health is a question. Wieland may profile as a fifth starter himself, though his big league career has been very limited (9 games/7 starts between 2012 and 2014 throwing only 39 innings), and he will join Carlos Frias and others who will start a few games.

Two former Rockies, Brett Anderson and Juan Nicasio, may get a nod in the rotation, too. Just like McCarthy, Anderson is often injured; the Rockies turned down his 2015 option after he started eight games in 2014. But when he’s healthy, he can be effective, holding a career 3.73 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across six seasons. The hard-throwing Nicasio profiles better as a long reliever, but he has started 69 games in his career.

Unquestionably, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top three starters are as good as any in baseball. Major questions remain for the fourth and fifth spots, however, and if McCarthy or Anderson (or both) see the disabled list for large stretches of 2015, the Dodgers will hurt for quality innings.

Relief Pitching
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ top three relievers, J.P. Howell, Kenley Jansen, and Brandon League return in 2015, along with Pedro Baez and Paco Rodriguez. Jamey Wright, Chris Perez, and Brian Wilson, who combined to pitch 171 games last year, will not be back.

Kenley Jansen [Image via @AmericasPregame]

In their place, the Dodgers brought in a mix of newcomers, including 38-year old Joel Peralta who Friedman acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Peralta threw in 69 games in 2014, and with 10 years of experience will be a serviceable middle relief option. Chris Hatcher, who struck out 60 in 56 innings with the Miami Marlins last season and was acquired in the Dee Gordon trade also will be a factor.

Even without Chris Withrow for much of 2015 the Los Angeles Dodgers kept their best three relievers, jettisoned three otheres, and made smart additions. What was once thought to be a weak spot should be a serviceable unit.

Off The Radar
The focus is on McCarthy, but Anderson is the unknown. His injury history is a concern, but if Anderson is healthy he could have a breakout season and propel the Los Angeles Dodgers to the next level.

One Big Question
Ramirez and Kemp were the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two biggest producers in 2014. Rollins and Pederson will not pick up that slack alone, but can the team find enough offense to compete with the Padres in the NL West?

TL;DR
It’s a foregone conclusion that the Los Angeles Dodgers can spend money with the best of them. But this winter they shrewdly acquired talent, picking up key additions like Joel Peralta, Brett Anderson, and Chris Heisey while pulling the trigger on major trades for Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick. The Padres-Dodgers rivalry should be fun in 2015, as the two teams will be the NL West’s elite organizations.

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