Over the last several seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers have had a log jam in their outfield. However, that might not be the case in 2016.
According to FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers are willing to retain salary in a potential trade for Andre Ethier or Carl Crawford. Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers are willing to include cash in any deal that ships either Andre Ethier or Carl Crawford out of town. Both of whom are owed about $80 million over the next two seasons.
Getting rid of Carl Crawford first would be great, but if Friedman could somehow combine both Ethier and Crawford to get the Dodgers a starting caliber pitcher to replace Zack Greinke, who signed a six-year, $206.5 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, would be a step in the right direction.
Andre Ethier is owed $38 million over the next two seasons, while Crawford, who has spent most of his time as a member of the Dodgers being injured, will earn $41.75 million over the next two seasons as well. Even though Rosenthal reported that the Dodgers aren’t opposed to including cash in a potential trade, but Rosenthal isn’t aware of the percentage of the contracts they would be willing to eat.
Ethier would be the more appealing player in any trade considering he’s appeared in at least 126 games in each of his 10 big-league seasons. The 33-year-old Ethier also slashed a very respectable .294/.366/.486 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs in 142 games last season. Ethier also has a $17.5 million vesting option with a $2 million buyout for the 2018 season.
The Dodgers currently have a young crop of outfielders that consist of Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Scott Van Slyke, Alex Querrero, and the two high priced veterans, Ethier and Crawford. Which could certainly be an issue for the new manager Dave Roberts when it comes time finding enough playing time for everyone next season.
The president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, Andrew Friedman, was expected by many to be one of the busier executives this off season, has barely made a ripple. Losing Zack Greinke certainly made a splash however.
Main Photo: Elaine Thompson
