Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
On this episode of Dugout Blues, we’re back at full strength as Jared returns to the program. And for the first time in seemingly forever, we have something to talk about.
It’s not directly related to the Dodgers, but it involves one of their free agents. Yu Darvish signed a 6-year, $126 million (with a chance to get to $150 million) deal with the Cubs. It’s a bummer because Darvish coming back looked like it was increasingly possible during the winter, but the Dodgers didn’t really come that close to the final mark. The Dodgers probably offered something in the 6-year, $100 million range, and they would have needed to trade some salary off to remain under the tax — something they unequivocally want to do this winter.
The Dodgers have the money and if they truly wanted Darvish back, they would have either figured out a way to make it work or just paid the tax. It stings a little more because he went to a league-rival in the Cubs. Oh well. Look for the Dodgers to upgrade the rotation at the trade deadline — as they have in the last three years.
There are 22 non-roster players being invited to Dodger Spring Training. I went over those a couple weeks ago, but we chimed in on the list. While none of them are likely to make the roster, getting the experience for some of the younger guys — Yusniel Diaz, DJ Peters, Keibert Ruiz, Will Smith — on the Major League side could have benefits in the coming years.
The five biggest prospect publications came out with their Top 100 lists in the last couple weeks. Walker Buehler is the unquestioned No. 1 prospect in the system, while Ruiz got some love. For a full breakdown, check out this post.
We close with a good Q&A session. Please keep the questions coming.
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