David Schoenfield of ESPN wrote a piece on blockbuster moves for all 30 teams. He proposed the Dodgers get SS Francisco Lindor for UT Chris Taylor, C Keibert Ruiz, RHP Josiah Gray, and OF D.J. Peters. If you want to dive into his reasoning for such a move click here. I completely disapproved of this move as soon as I saw Taylor instead of Seager in the proposal. I’ll explain but first…
Any moves the Dodgers make, whether they be in a trade or free-agent signing or waiver pick up, should be conducive to winning a championship while sustaining a top 10 farm system. Getting Lindor improves the chances of hoisting a World Series trophy but giving up three high-level prospects (which by midway through next season can all be top 10 org. prospects) does not help sustain an elite farm. I understand that they would still be considered an above-average system but they also subtract from the crop of valuable trade assets leaving them less flexible for any other opportunities or contingencies.
Here’s the other problem, and it’s something I take more of an issue with. Corey Seager has consistently underperformed in the playoffs. Of the position players on the Dodgers with at least 20 postseason games under there belt, he has the 3rd worst OPS (.605) on the team ahead of Cody Bellinger (.560) and Austin Barnes (.459). Now, I know what thinking. Should we get rid of Cody, too??? Heck. No. Why? Win. Probability. Added. Yes, Cody in his career has a -0.3 (below average) postseason WPA but compared to Seagers -1.3 in fewer plate appearances, I’ll take my chances with the 2019 NL MVP.
Speaking of moves conducive to winning the World Series, trading Chris Taylor, who has a .835 postseason OPS and one of the few players on the roster with a positive WPA (0.8) in 35 playoff games in his career who also can be plugged anywhere in the outfield, middle infield and sometimes at 3rd base, is not a contributive move.
So, like every other couch GM, let me get cozy in my Lazyboy and offer my counter-proposal. SS Francisco Lindor and cash for SS Corey Seager, C Keibert Ruiz, and RHP Mitchell White. Swapping shortstops is easy to make sense of and Lindor is easily worth two top 10 prospects but Seager lightens the prospect quality/load a bit as well as demanding a bit of cash (or prospect) because he’s still highly valuable and has 2 more seasons of team control left. His below-average postseason play undercuts some of his value, so if Cleveland believes they need a sweetener then let’s throw in RHP Ross Stripling with the Indians including more cash in the deal. The Dodgers pitching staff will take a hit in the depth department but the money will help reduce the luxury tax implications, improving the chances of them signing Anthony Rendon, Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg or any other free agent they may get their hands on.
All in all, it’s hard to see the Dodgers making any moves that can jeopardize their chances of winning an 8th straight NL West title. With that in mind, any move that isn’t prudent in improving their chances of winning it all is a move not worth any thought.
Oskar is a contributor to Dodgers-Lowdown. Follow him on Twitter @2rawsko94. Photo credit: CBS sports