It is Thursday, January 21, and the Los Angeles Dodgers still have not signed their right-handed power bat.
This is not so much concerning, as the Dodgers would be fine if they didn’t sign one right away. They have enough time to wade into Spring Training (if it actually starts on time) before they did so, or wait it out until the trade deadline, although I believe that they will not wait that long. Also, at this time last season, the Dodgers had still not made their big trade with the Boston Red Sox that brought Mookie Betts and David Price to Los Angeles for Alex Verdugo and others.
What is concerning is that teams in the National League still don’t know whether they’ll be using a designated hitter for the upcoming season. Rumors are hinting that it is indeed the direction the NL will take, but with less than a month to go before the start of Spring Training, nothing has been officially announced.
So, anyway, we fans just continue to sit through the January doldrums and wait. For something, whether it’s the return of Justin Turner, or the true definition of how the season will play out, or whether Andrew Friedman has one more trick up his sleeve, we wait.
We’ve waited before, and spent the time arguing among ourselves what position needs to upgraded the most, which pitchers might be best as a starter and who should still stay in the bullpen, or which trade candidates would fit best on the current team.
But the best thing about this offseason is that the Dodgers just won the World Series, and we don’t have that particular angst hanging so heavily over our heads. Of course, fans want the team to be better, to make the team as good as possible for that repeat run, while holding back the San Diego Padres. But this is the first winter in a long time that the Dodgers don’t have to absolutely make a move to make them World Series contenders. Or maybe, they don’t necessarily have to make a move to finally get them over that hump.
The only lukewarm Dodgers rumor at the moment is that the team might be interested in Trevor Bauer, but only at the right price. (Which of course goes without saying). Jeff Passan of ESPN said yesterday that Los Angeles was keeping an eye on the 2020 NL Cy Young winner.
If Bauer would agree to a shorter-term deal, the Dodgers may be in play. But if Bauer only wants a longer term deal, I doubt the Dodgers would still be interested.
Los Angeles doesn’t necessarily need another starter, but there is uncertainty after the shortened season how pitchers’ arms will perform in a full season, and there is always the ever lurking San Diego Padres and their newly bolstered rotation. I think it’s just another rumor, as the Dodgers are in on everyone, but still another story to keep an eye on as the days count down to Spring Training.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Last I heard was that the Mets and Angels were the leaders in the Bauer Derby. That was on twitter after Passan’s tweet about our being interested at the right price.
Under normal circumstances it’s hard to keep up with all the rumors on a particular free agent but in Bauer’s case it’s even more difficult because he loves to use social media himself and may well be the source for half the rumors out there just to stir things up.
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I just want a piece of news that says Turner is back in blue, or that they have traded for a quality 3rd baseman.
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You’re pretty easy to please bear, I’m sure AF is going to give you one of your wishes.
As far as Bauer goes, love to have him, but the Angels need pitching so badly, I doubt if we will pay him what the angels will be willing to pay him.
I’m with you Jeff, I think Bauer is starting most of the Bauer rumors.
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Still think we could use another starter or 2. Perhaps James Paxton might be 1 option.
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Yes, well Bauer is a jerk and probably a cheater. I don’t want him.
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Hank Aaron passed away this morning at the age of 86. RIP Hammerin Hank.
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Yes, I suppose Bauer could be the source of the Dodger/Bauer rumors, but at the “right price” I also believe they could be true.
30 yr old Bauer is a Santa Clarita boy, that means he is probably a Dodgers fan, he graduated High School with a 4.8 GPA and he doesn’t believe in human caused global warming, he has been outspoken in his criticism of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Houston Astros’ cheating ways. So far so good. The former overall # 3 draft pick, drafted just before Anthony Rendon and two picks after Gerrit Cole played on the same UCLA baseball team and had better college statistics than teammate Gerrit Cole. Cole had a little faster fastball.
In 2020 Bauer pitched 73 innings of 1.73 ERA ball while winning the National League Cy Young Award, Cole meanwhile pitched 73 innings of 2.84 ERA ball in 2020 after signing his nine year $324M contract prior to the 2020 season.
SO, at the “right price”, hell yes were talking and interested.
Bauer rejected his Qualifying Offer from Cincinnati meaning Dodgers would lose their second-highest selection in this year’s Draft as well as $500,000 from its international bonus pool. Additionally, whatever salary Dodgers sign Bauer for would probably mostly be subject to a 20% premium for being over the CBT. Based on this, a one year deal makes no sense, in my opinion, especially when you consider Dodgers have greater needs than starting pitching in 2021.
But how about a long-term deal, four to five years, at a bargain price. I say it’s possible at the “right price”.
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