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Dodgers fan from oregon
3:18
Would the Dodgers give up Cartaya and Miller in Ohtani trade if it's the deadline trade even with no guarantees of extension?
Jason
3:18
What would a mid season trade for Ohtani look like?
Mark P
3:20
Unsurprisingly, a whole lot of Ohtani questions in the queue!

Firstly, I think there is only a very small chance Ohtani is dealt at the deadline, even if the Angels are out of the race.  Secondly, if the Angels did change course and start exploring Ohtani deals, I have to imagine the Dodgers might literally be the last team they'd move him too.  It is very hard to see Arte Moreno moving this unique superstar to the local rival and perhaps immediately helping them win a championship.
Hubs
3:20
Ohtani main focus for Dodgers in off season?
Angels fan
3:20
The Dodgers are the speculative favorite to land Ohtani but are they willing to accommodate him (i.e., 6-man rotation) the way the Angels have?
Mark P
3:22
Ohtani will absolutely be a target for the Dodgers in free agency.  Realistically, they're one of only a few teams who might be in the running, based on Ohtani's contract demands, his desire to play for a winner, and perhaps unspecified factors like if Ohtani still prefers to play on the west coast.

A six-man rotation would be an interesting way for the Dodgers to both comfortably fit Ohtani into the rotation and create another spot for Pepiot, Stone, Grove, Miller, etc.
Kent
3:23
Is Trace Thompson the real deal? Is he an everyday outfielder?
Mark P
3:24
Thompson is a bit of a wild card for me, just because of his lack of track record prior to 2022.  If he is the next Muncy/Taylor Dodgers reclamation project, that's great news for him and the team.  But, just because LA has struck gold on unheralded players in the past, that doesn't mean Thompson is immediately a sure thing going forward, and it seems the team realizes this.
3:25
Between Taylor and Outman, the Dodgers have some alternatives if Thompson reverts to his old self.  Maybe Heyward too, in a part-time role
Lowered Expectations
3:26
What is the current projection/estimate for the Dodgers payroll this year? It seems like the Bauer reinstatement messed with their plan to reset their luxury tax this year and now they're left with sort of an odd patchwork off-season.
Mark P
3:28
As per Roster Resource, their estimated number at the moment is $245MM.....so, over the $233MM threshold but under the next penalty tier of $253MM.

By this point you'd think the Dodgers won't hesitate to go after a deadline upgrade that would push them over that second tier, since they'll already be paying the tax regardless.
Manly Palmer Hall
3:30
so If you agree with the pace of dodger player development, do you disagree with how fast Atlanta and Houston promote less heralded prospects?
Mark P
3:31
No, because every prospect is different.  The Astros, Braves, and Dodgers are in the group for me as "these teams know what they're doing with their farm system," so I tend to trust their moves even if they all don't operate in the exact same way
Ian L
3:32
given Taylors struggles, do you see a trade for a shortstop of any caliber coming down the line or do the dodgers just put up with the below average bat to keep his utility?
Mark P
3:33
Chris Taylor is really one of the key figures in the Dodgers' season.  If he bounces back to his pre-2022 self, that answers a lot of questions about LA's depth at multiple positions, and then it becomes a question of where the Dodgers can fit him into the lineup.
3:34
If he struggles again, however, that puts more pressure on the projected starters.  Taylor is owed enough money that it's not like the Dodgers could just cut him or anything, but having a highly-paid bench guy who brings little besides versatility isn't ideal
Walsh
3:36
Loved the Thor signing, will be the latest pitcher rejuvenated by the Dodgers?
Guest
3:37
Thoughts on the type of season Thor will have this season?
Mark P
3:38
Good signing, in my view.  I can very easily see Syndergaard having a very solid year, and if anything, I'd be surprised if he doesn't
TOM B.
3:39
Don't see any mention of PERALTA in the
outfield mix.   Like others- I'm not sold on
Thompson.   Does he have options?
Mark P
3:39
Thompson is out of minor league options.  I didn't mention Peralta earlier since I was noting players who could play center field, and Peralta is strictly a corner outfielder
Mr. Burrito
3:40
The Dodgers have the best coaching/development staff in the sport. What happens if big-name guys within that world -- Prior, for example -- leave? Is the system dependent on individuals, or is it strong enough to keep cranking out improved players even without specific instructors?
Mark P
3:41
The Dodgers have been doing this long enough that it's fair to say no single person is the secret genius behind their farm system.
Similar to the Rays and Guardians, and now they keep rolling along despite how many people keep being hired away from those organizations
Jorge78
3:42
In the review you said Freeman had "option decisions."  What did you mean please?
Mark P
3:43
It was in reference to the many club options for the 2024 season.  The team has decisions to make on Muncy, Treinen, Hudson, and Reyes
BlueJayCrazy
3:43
Why didn't the Dodgers replace their departing SS apart from the player they received from Miami? Is is money?
Mark P
3:44
They felt Gavin Lux was able to capably fill the everyday shortstop role, and Rojas was brought on board as a backup. Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario hit before the season even began.
Not the Dodgers I Know!
3:45
These guys are so gullible!!! They're not getting Ohtani. Look at what they did the last couple seasons. They're letting guys like Seater and Turner walk. They're not going to splurge on Ohtani. Keep dreaming!!!
Mark P
3:46
Freeman, Bauer, extending Betts to a monster contract, re-signing Kershaw/Taylor/Justin Turner/Jensen when they've hit free agency.....the Dodgers aren't shy about spending money.  Ohtani is certainly a special enough player that they'll try to make it happen.
Ceyheyjay
3:47
Obligatory Bryan Reynolds question. What would it take to get him? Busch, Frasso, Nastrini and Depaula?
Mark P
3:48
It'll take a lot more than that.  The Pirates would want at least one and probably two of Pepiot/Grove/Stone as the headline young pitcher.
Daniel
3:49
There seem to be many indications that the Dodgers view Michael Busch as trade bait. Moving Miguel Vargas to 2B, Busch's primary position throughout his minor league career, only seems to further confirm that. Is there any path for Busch breaking into the majors this year in a Dodgers uniform?
Mark P
3:49
Part of the reason for Vargas' move to 2B is because they kinda had nowhere else to play him, if Muncy was going to be at 3B and the Dodgers feel Vargas' athleticism is better served in the infield than in the outfield.
3:51
You're not wrong that Busch might end up as a trade chip, since LA has certainly moved their share of quality prospects over the years.  Plus, Busch's future might not be as a 2B anyway, so even if Vargas does settle in at the keystone, the Dodgers could find room for Busch elsewhere
Greg P.
3:52
That is, if you wait until young stars arrive at their walk years, they often become too expensive to retain.  Better would be to get a few more years of commitment when players are still receptive to adding more years.
Mark P
3:54
The Dodgers aren't quite like the Yankees in the realm of never giving out extensions, but LA is also pretty circumspect about long-term deals of any kind.  Apart from Betts and their various one-year or two-year pacts to cover arbitration years or to convert club options into guarantees, the Dodgers don't really pursue the tactic of locking up young prospects early.
3:56
In part, this is because the Dodgers have money to burn, so they prefer roster flexibility to the financial flexibility that comes with perhaps saving some money on a young player with an early-career contract.

Now, this isn't to say that the Dodgers wouldn't be open to extending Vargas, Pepiot, etc. at the right price.  But it doesn't seem to be a real priority for LA like it does for lower-payroll teams
Manly Palmer Hall
3:56
Dodgers have been playing Busch at 3B in recent spring games. Both Vargas and Busch get better reviews on their defense now vs a few years ago. This versatility keeps them from being blocked.
Mark P
3:57
This is a good point, and it speaks to LA's preference for having multi-position players, whether they acquire such players or they develop them from within
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