Los Angeles Dodgers Hope To Replace Lost Offense With Veteran Offseason Acquisitions

Boston – May 19: Boston Red Sox left fielder J.D. Martinez (28) walks to the dugout after flying out … [+] in the 1st inning. The Boston Red Sox host the Seattle Mariners in an MLB game at Fenway Park in Boston on May 19, 2022. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Boston Globe via Getty Images

Make no mistake, this edition of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks nothing like the team that won 111 games last year in the National League West Division.

Last year’s Dodgers had a team batting average of .257, good for 4th overall in Major League Baseball. The team hit 212 home runs, also 4th in the game.

In what is probably the most important offensive category, the Dodgers led all of MLB by scoring 847 runs, 40 more than the New York Yankees, who scored the second highest number of runs.

Gone from that very successful club’s offense are Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Joey Gallo, and Edwin Rios.

Perhaps the greatest challenge will be finding a way for the 2023 entry of the Dodgers to make up for the 101 runs scored by Trea Turner. He had 194 hits; including 39 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, and 100 RBIs. Oh, and Turner stole 27 bases in 30 attempts.

When he reached free agency following the season, Turner signed a massive 11-year, $300M contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Wanting to play on the east coast, Turner will have the chance to be a major component of the Phillies team that went to the World Series, losing to the Houston Astros in six games.

For this scout, the loss of Turner could be even more consequential with new rules to be introduced by MLB this coming season.

Turner, a terrific base runner, will have the advantage of bases that are three inches larger than those of the past. Bases will change from 15 to 18 inches on each side. Advantage, Trea Turner.

In addition, pitchers will only be able to disengage from the rubber three times. On a third pickoff attempt, they will have to pick off the runner, or it is a balk. Advantage, Trea Turner.

The Dodgers can likely survive the losses of Justin Turner, Bellinger, Gallo and Rios more easily than losing Trea Turner.

New Los Angeles Dodgers Position Players:

The team did add some new faces to the offense. They are aging, seasoned veterans, in the later stages of their careers. They include:

(082822 Boston, MA): Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez reacts after hitting a solo home … [+] run during the 4th inning of the game at Fenway Park on Sunday,August 28, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

MediaNews Group via Getty Images

J.D. Martinez-OF/DH (Age 35)

Right-handed hitting J.D. Martinez was signed to a 1-year, $10M contract as a free agent.

With Boston last year, Martinez made his fifth American League All Star Team. He played in 139 games for the Red Sox and hit .274/.341/.448/.790 with 76 runs scored, 43 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, and 62 RBIs in 596 plate appearances.

He hit his fewest number of home runs since 2013, when he was 25, and playing for the Houston Astros. He hit seven homers that year in only 310 plate appearances.

Martinez will enter his 13th big league season, and the Dodgers hope there is some life left in his bat.

Arizona Diamondbacks’ David Peralta celebrates his two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies … [+] during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 6, 2022, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks won 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

David Peralta-OF- (Age 35)

Left-handed hitting David Peralta was signed as a free agent to a 1-year, $6.5M contract.

Peralta spent parts of nine seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After a July 30 trade last year, Peralta finished the season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Combined, Peralta played in 134 2023 games, getting 490 plate appearances. He hit a combined .251/.316/.415/.731 with 30 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, and 59 RBIs.

Peralta is seen as a good line-drive hitter, with an ability to make good contact and exercise some patience at the plate.

Never a hitter with much power, Peralta did hit 30 home runs for Arizona in 2018. However, it is highly unlikely Peralta will show that type of power in Los Angeles. He will, however, be able to contribute, even if he has to platoon as the left-handed part of an outfield tandem with a player like Chris Taylor.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas holds a ball up as infielders work on fielding grounders during … [+] spring training baseball workouts for Dodgers players in Phoenix, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miguel Rojas-INF- (Age 33, turns 34 February 24)

The Dodgers traded prospect infielder Jacob Amaya to the Miami Marlins to obtain veteran right-handed hitting infielder Miguel Rojas.

Rojas was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 2005 as an International free agent.

He was granted free agency in 2012, and signed by the Dodgers.

Rojas began his big league career with the Dodgers in 2014. At the age of 25, Rojas made his debut, playing 85 games and hitting .181 in 162 plate appearances. He was then traded to the Marlins in December 2014. Now, Rojas returns to Los Angeles.

To this scout, Rojas is a bit undervalued. He has been a steady, reliable middle-infielder during his nine year big league career, eight of which were with the Marlins.

Rojas is a good contact hitter, but like Peralta, he won’t hit for much power. Rojas has never struck out more than 74 times a season in his career. That contact and his good on-base percentage should be helpful to Los Angeles.

RosterResource lists Rojas as a utility player, showing Gavin Lux as the team’s starting shortstop, with rookie Miguel Vargas as the second baseman. However, when called upon, Rojas will serve as a fine replacement player for either.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward reaches for the ball during outfielder drills as … [+] position players work out during the first day of spring training baseball workouts for Dodgers pitchers and catchers in Phoenix, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Jason Heyward-OF (Age 33)

Jason Heyward was signed as a non-roster invitee to spring training.

A left-handed hitter, Heyward has spent parts of 13 seasons in the big leagues.

He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 1st round of the 2007 draft. The Braves traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals in November 2014, and he was granted his free agency by the Cardinals in November of 2015.

The Chicago Cubs signed Heyward to an incredible 8-year, $184M contract in December 2015. It was controversial from the moment the contract was signed, as Heyward struggled with the Cubs. He played parts of seven seasons, and hit just .245 with 62 home runs and 289 RBIs in 2,836 plate appearances.

The Cubs released Heyward last November 14, with one year and $22M remaining on his contract.

The Dodgers signed Heyward, but the Cubs must pay the remainder of his initial contract; with the Dodgers paying Heyward $720,000 (the MLB minimum) if he makes the team.

Heyward will try to make the Dodgers opening day roster, likely as a platoon player, or utility outfielder on a team that will be giving him another chance.

Conclusions:

The Dodgers lost one of baseball’s premiere talents in Trea Turner, who signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Position players including Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Joey Gallo and Edwin Rios are no longer with the team.

The Dodgers won 111 games last year, the most in baseball.

It remains to be seen if aging veteran acquisitions like J.D. Martinez, David Peralta, Miguel Rojas and Jason Heyward can make up for any of the offensive spark the team lost.

According to Fangraphs, the Dodgers have shed $35M so far from last year’s payroll. Sitting now at an estimated $227M in payroll, the club is under the $233M bottom threshold of the four-tier MLB Luxury Tax. That was likely important in constructing the 2023 roster.

The Dodgers have been competitive for years. The team’s pitching remains very strong.

However, will they have enough offense to fend off the surging San Diego Padres?

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2023/02/23/los-angeles-dodgers-hope-to-replace-lost-offense-with-veteran-offseason-acquisitions/