Los Angeles Dodgers: Is Josh Donaldson the missing piece?
The Los Angeles Dodgers failed to secure a World Series title for a third consecutive season. A substantial move is likely upcoming.
Since Andrew Freidman took control of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they have shown a great reluctance to needlessly spend excessive money on free agents. Also, they have been hesitant in the trade market, as they have valued their own prospects over proven commodities from outside of the organization. However, such a policy could cost a team dearly when serious capital is not invested in a bullpen.
The Dodgers’ bullpen was once anchored around Kenley Jansen and a myriad of other relievers that have gone on to earn contracts elsewhere. They have subsisted for many years on the talent of a deep rotation – from which pitchers like Kenta Maeda – and a dominant reliever, however, Jansen is no longer dominant.
It is clear that improvement is needed in the bullpen and possibly in the rotation as well with the potential departure of Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill. They do have some cover in the fact that Ross Stripling and Maeda will nicely fit in the rotation along with Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. Outside of some organizational depth, the Dodgers will also need another starter added to the roster.
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Unless there is a mass upheaval of the current bullpen, the Dodgers need a transaction of significance elsewhere to propel them back to the World Series. Many have claimed that Fransisco Lindor would add that extra dynamic element and the necessary depth for the lineup to prosper in the postseason.
He would surely add further power and speed to the lineup and could greatly invigorate the Dodgers fanbase. On the other hand, one must remember that the Dodgers already have a power-hitting shortstop that they have projected a great degree of their hopes onto. Corey Seager will now be two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery and is much more likely to return to his upward trajectory from the years prior to the injury.
Another Dodger that relatively underperformed in 2019 was Justin Turner, whose season was stagnated by a rash of injuries. Josh Donaldson may be the ideal addition for the Dodgers, as he replaces Turner with a superior glove and additional power. Turner could slide over to first base with Max Muncy filling in the outfield.
The middle of the Dodgers lineup is constituted of Seager, Cody Bellinger, Muncy, and Joc Pederson. They are the main source of power and all swing left-handed with Turner as the only right-handed presence inserted in there. Donaldson would be widely welcomed presence to this lineup, as it would not simply make it deeper and add more power, but it would also provide a solid balance.
If the Dodgers employ this strategy, they could have an infield of Turner, Gavin Lux, Donaldson, and Seager with an outfield of Bellinger, Muncy, and Pederson/A.J. Pollock. Sometimes when the need is impact pitching – a very limited commodity – one might be best served to do what they can in this regard and in turn use the remaining resources to construct the best lineup possible.
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In the end, the Los Angeles Dodgers are destined to make a move of impact. Donaldson is likely the smartest player to target if heaps of money is not going to be invested into a starter or reliever.