FREE AGENTS (4)
LHP Mark Langston ($2,080,000) – Langston might be the Cy Young winner (more likely second). His one year in LA was excellent. He'll be 33 next season, and will want a lot of money coming off this season. We have 4 solid starters behind him and Pedro Martinez as our #1 prospect.
3B Gary Gaetti ($735,000) – Gaetti had a resurgent year last year. We'll be hoping he's rewarded with a Gold Glove award. We struggled against right-handed pitching last year, and Gaetti was part of that (.648 OPS). Switch hitters Dave Hollins' and Bobby Bonilla's struggles were another part of it. We'll have some decisions to make about 1B, 3B and RF.
RF Cory Snyder ($306,000) – Snyder was a savior after we acquired him in July. His 132 wRC+ as a Dodger helped offset Bonilla's and Hollins' seasons. That performance was well above his established level, though.
2B Scott Fletcher ($1,700,000) – Like Snyder, a July pickup whose performance went a long way towards our division title.
ELEGIBLE FOR ARBITRATION (7)
RSP Ramon Martinez ($1,375,000) – Ramon will be in his second year of arbitration. He won a Cy Young in 1991, was injured in 1992 and came back solid this year. We expect him and his brother to pitch important innings for the Dodgers next year
LRP Kent Mercker ($116,800) – Mercker was a mid-season acquisition who pitched well for us down the stretch. He's a solid left-handed reliever in his first year of arbitration
LRP Tony Fossas ($260,000) – Fossas was excellent in his first year in LA. He's in his final year of arbitration.
IF Chris Donnels ($190,000) – Donnels had a down year after being selected by the Rockies in the expansion draft then being traded to LA. He's a fringe starter or solid back up. This is his second year of arbitration
OF Mike Huff ($140,000) – Huff has been a solid backup outfielder for us for the last 5 seasons. Putting up 2.2 WAR in 439 plate appearances. He's got a good eye, solid defense and runs well. He's in his second year of arbitration
OF Bill Bean ($140,000) – Bean is, in many ways, the left-handed version of Huff. A competent player who might be able to start for some teams, but who's been a productive bench player in LA (1.3 WAR in 406 PA's). It's also his second year of arbitration
OF Rick Parker (180,000) – Parker was a post-deadline pick up for us. He didn't play much in LA. He's solid defensively and has good speed. He's been about replacment level in about 850 plate appearances.
TEAM OPTIONS (3)
RSP Orel Hershiser ($2,400,000/$3,000,000/$600,000) – Hershiser is one of the faces of the Dodgers with 45.5 WAR in 10+ seasons in LA. He's a fan favorite and coming off an excellent year. It would take something unexpected for Hershiser not to be in LA next year. He is 35 and had a significant injury 3 years ago.
OF/1B Bobby Bonilla ($2,250,000/$2,250,000/$250,000) – Bonilla has had 4 very productive years in LA, and, then, last year. He also won the MVP award in 1990. Last year's performance was quite unexpected. It may have been related to the injury that sidelined him for the end of the season. The possibility of him bouncing back is worth more than a measely $2,000,000
RRP Jim Gott ($830,000/$830,000/$300,000) – Gott has been an underated performer the last few seasons. But, his perforance has declined as noted by his FIP- (75 to 81 to 90). But $800,000 isn't much to see if he's got one more good year in him.
PLAYERS UNDER CONTRACT (3)
LF Rickey Henderson (Year 2 of a 5-year $20,000,000 contract) – Rickey had a down year (3.4 WAR) compared to what we've come to expect, but a year plenty of players would be happy with. We don't regret the contract we've signed him to.
CF Devon White (Year 2 of a 5-year $19,925,000 contract) – White was superb last year with his 3rd consecutive 6 WAR season. At 30, he'll slow down on defense eventually, but he hasn't shown signs yet.
SP Tim Belcher (Year 3 of a 3-year $5,720,000 contract) – Belcher is in the last year of his deal that helped us avoid arbitration with him and gave us one more year of control. A late bloomer, he's already 32. He'd get a hefty contract as a free agent after putting up nothing but 5 WAR seasons since becoming a regular.
PLAYERS UNDER TEAM CONTROL (23)
C Mike Piazza – A 118 wRC+ and plus defense might not make people forget icon Mike Scioscia, but it certainly helps ease the blow of his retirement.
C Darren Fletcher – Fletcher's first year in the bigs was a success. He actually outhit Piazza with a 121 wRC+ in limited time. Fletcher might be good enough to start for some other teams.
C Carlos Hernandez – Hernandez spent a season and a half in LA, before being bumped by Piazza and then Fletcher. He's a solid back up and probably deserves better than AAA.
1B/3B Dave Hollins – Hollins struggled last year. We expected him to be a big hitter in the middle of the lineup and he put up an 84 wRC+ after 127 and 172 the years before. We'll have to figure out what happened.
2B Jose Offerman – Jose had a mixed year in his first year as an MLB starter. He showed flashes on offense and his .345 OBP would be fine if he had driven the ball at all. His .059 ISO limited his total offensive production. He was also great on the bases, but had defensive issues. We remain optimistic.
SS Jon Valentin – Valentin came a bit out of nowhere last year to be one of the best players on the team. We though we were getting a solid defensive SS whose offense would make him a solid player. What we got was a gold glove candidate with a 128 wRC+.
IF Mike Benjamin – the defensive whiz couldn't quite hold onto a roster spot all season. There was an injury and he didn't show the offense we needed when we wanted some extra help at second. We still think he's a good player and hope he can win a spot on the team.
IF Clay Bellinger – A utility infielder, doesn't excel defensively, but is solid around the infield. He hits...like a back up middle infielder.
IF Eddie Pye – Last year's opening day short stop when Valentin was on the IL. He mashed for the few weeks he was up, but couldn't maintain that performance in AAA. He's good, not great, defensively, and has a more developed bat than either Bellinger of Benjamin.
OF JT Bruett – He was a backup in LA for most of the season until we needed Snyder's bat instead of JT's glove. He'll have a chance to win a backup spot this year.
OF Billy Ashley – Made the playoff roster after spending most of the season in AAA. Had a 237 wRC+ in the playoffs. His power is tantalizing.
OF Raul Mondesi – Added to the 40-man to avoid the Rule V draft last year. He put up a 124 wRC+ 3.7 WAR season in AAA last year. He hits, for average and power, runs, has the range to play center and the arm for right. An exciting player.
RSP Pedro Astacio – Astacio was a pleasant surprise. Filling in when Ryan went down with injury, he fit right into the rotation even earning some post season starts.
RSP Pedro Martinez – Our top prospect, he made his MLB debut in September and pitched in both post season series. Can we find room for him in the rotation?
RSP Dave Nied – Nied was supposed to be a big part of the pitching staff this year. An injury and poor performance derailed that. He's still a talented pitcher and we'll look for opportunities for him.
LSP John O'Donoghue – Impressed in spring and then at AAA. But missed time with multiple injuries.
LSP Angel Miranda – Miranda has a good arm, and is on the cusp of being a major league pitcher. On a less talented, less deep, team, he might already be.
RRP Rod Beck – Beck has 150 innings of 64 FIP- in 2+ seasons. He's a key member of the bullpen.
RRP John Wetteland – After failing to grab a rotation spot, Wetteland has remade himself as a flame throwing reliever and has a 70ish FIP- the last 2 years in that role.
RRP Darren Holmes – Holmes was up and down between the Dodgers and AAA last year. He's another one that on another team would probably be assured a spot on the roster.
RRP Mike Christopher – Christopher also bounced between MLB and AAA last year. At 29, that's likely the role he's destined for
LRP Jim Poole – Poole is the left-handed version of Christopher. Maybe good enough, maybe not.
LRP Mike Munoz – Munoz rounds out the list of relievers who are on the fringe of the major league roster.
RETIRED (1)
Nolan Ryan – Ryan's final season in the majors didn't go the way anyone wanted. Just 3 games, though he was 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA (96 FIP-) before his arm finally gave out.
That's a full 40-Man Roster
Obviously, we'll have some work to do, and some of these players won't be here when the season starts.
RULE V ELIGIBLE
OF Willie Ansley – Great eye, Strong defense, Good base runner. A good player
C/IF/OF Steve Bieser – Athletic. Plays strong defense all over the diamond. Good speed.
1B Brian Traxler – Left-handed hitter that many would describe as professional.
OF Scott Bullett – Speedy outfielder
IF/OF Mike Bush – Right-handed slugger
LP Mike Mimbs – Left-handed starter who had a 93 FIP- in AAA last year. Solid all around without a standout skill.
LP Mark Mimbs – Left-handed reliever, better stuff than his twin brother, less control.
MINOR LEAGUE FREE AGENTS
IF Jose Munoz – bounced between AA and AAA the last 2 seasons. Average glove, below average bat. Leader in the clubhouse.
SP Jim Neidlinger – Has 178 MLB innings over the previous 4 seasons, but wasn't needed last year. His 1990 performance filling in for an injured Hershiser will be remembered.
P Dennis Springer – The knucklerballer pitched in September in 1992. But didn't have a good year in Albuquerque this year.