The primary question for the Dodgers this off-season has already been formed. Will the Dodgers make a big move or will they stand pat heading into 2020? Time will tell with winter fast approaching. Andrew Friedman and ownership are going to have to answer the question very soon.
Former GM Jim Bowden had some words regarding the Dodgers with MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM and sees them making a big splash this off-season. Here is the link to the full Bowden segment:
? @JimBowdenGM is ready for the #Dodgers to make some moves. ? pic.twitter.com/MAZUNn6bVq
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) November 8, 2019
New Openness
As has been documented extensively over the past few weeks, the word on the street is that the Dodgers and their front office are more willing to go after big names now more than any time before:
“They are really more open than in the past. In the past, the last couple years, they have been targeting certain situations and following that, but they are open-minded.”
With the amount of big names on the market, it would be naive to not have this philosophy.
Big Names
Two stars have been thrown around in Dodgers trade rumors recently and they are Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts. Bowden seems to believe that the Dodgers have as much of a shot of acquiring one of those two superstars as anyone else:
“If there is a team that is going to trade for Mookie Betts, you have to put the Dodgers first on that possibility list. If Francisco Lindor is going to be traded, you have to put the Dodgers first on that list. They have the prospects, they have the major league level talent to be able to make deals like that. They are well-equipped to do it.”
Big Splash
Betts and Lindor would certainly qualify as a big splash and it all comes down to Andrew Friedman:
“I think you’re going to see a splash coming from La La Land this year. If not, you’re going to get a starter — 1, 2, or 3 — you’re going to get a bullpen arm, and you’re going to get a right-handed bat. I have a lot of faith in what Andrew Friedman has done and despite what you hear in LA, because they don’t understand that you can’t just win a World Series whenever you want, go look at how many times he has won the division and his track record.”
Take a Bow
Bowden believes that if any front office can win a World Series next season with their remaining assets, it is the Los Angeles Dodgers:
“They have done a ridiculously great job in Los Angeles. Friedman and Dave Roberts should take a bow for what they have done, but until you win that World Series, which the Dodgers have not done since 1988, there is going to be a lot of pressure that comes with the job. You have a payroll, you have a farm system, you have a scouting department that says ‘you better win’, and they better win.”
Overall
Will the Dodgers win the World Series?