Dodgers Territory - Top 3 Offseason Needs for the Dodgers!

Episode Date: November 10, 2025

What are the 3 biggest needs for the Dodgers heading into this offseason and how can they fill them? Clint Pasillas welcomes guest co-host Scott Geirman (spot starting for a vacationing Alanna Rizzo) to discuss all ways the front office could improve the team this winter (2:57).Will that be signing Kyle Tucker in free agency (6:47)? Bringing back Cody Bellinger? Could the front office put together a blockbuster trade for someone like Jarren Duran (16:12)? The hosts discuss!And, who could the Dodgers target on the reliever market (26:49)? Edwin Diaz? Ryan Helsley? A Kenley Jansen reunion?Check out square.com/go/FOUL and go support your favorite neighborhood spot to see what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods.Check out DT merch at dodgersterritoryshop.comSupport Guidry's Guardian at guidrysguardian.orgFind Clint on YouTube at youtube.com/@alldodgersSubscribe to Dodgers Territory on YouTubeRate and review our podcast on Apple and SpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm Daniel Alarcon, and this is my friend. This is much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far, but I'm John Green, co-host at the podcast The Away End, with my old friend Daniel. On our podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Danielle Robe, host of Bookmarked, the podcast by Reese's Book Club. And this week on Bookmarked, we're basically hosting the Ultimate Girls' Night.

Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, Judy Greer, Rita Wilson, and Gari Rice, and author Laura Dave. These are the women behind season two of the Apple TV series The Last Thing He Told Me. We're talking about turning a book into a hit show and what it really takes to bring a story to life. The most important metric for me is do I want to share this? book with somebody. That's what creates community and that's the main thesis of our book club and why we started it was just to connect people together. Listen to the bookmarked by Rees's Book Club podcast on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. When you feel uncomfortable, what do you put on? Biggie. You put on Biggie when you

feel uncomfortable? Because I want to get confident. This is DJ Hester Prins. Music is Therapy. A new podcast from me, a DJ and licensed therapist. 12 months. 12 areas of your life. Money, love, career, confidence. This isn't just a podcast. It's unconventional therapy for your entire year. Listen to DJ Hesterprin's music is therapy on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The name of all those is Kyle Tucker. I do have some concerns with Kyle Tucker and making him one of the highest paid outfielders in the game. What is going on, party people? I'm hosting the show, so I say party people for some reason. My name is Clint Paseas. That guy over there is Scott Gorman filling in for Alana Rizzo today. Welcome to Dodgers

Territory, a Monday edition of the show. And today on the show, Scott, you already know, because we talked about it. We're diving in to the three biggest needs in our view. The three biggest needs for the Dodgers over the 2025, 2025, 26 offseason. Dodgers just won a World Series. They need to try to run it back. They need to try to get better. How will they get better? there's nobody better I'd like to talk to you than Scott about that kind of stuff. Before we dive into it, though, a reminder, please like the show, rate the show if you would not mind, subscribe to the channel. We're trying to get to 15,000 subscribers.

The only way we could do that is if you hit that subscribe button, all that kind of stuff. So anyways, let's dive in a little bit of pleasantries to begin with. Scott, we haven't talked in a little while. How you doing, basking in the glow of back-to-back world championships? Yeah, just, you know, excited to be here. It's good to talk to you, man. It's good to be here with the chat. Look, Dodgers back-to-back champs,

a little bit over a week ago now. Last week, I was out at the stadium celebrating and it was able to see the boys and that was great to be among all, you know, the biggest takeaway I had from that, Clint, is that when tickets are priced accordingly and you can get as many fans in the stands as who, you know, die hard, love this team.

You get a crazy atmosphere. So that was really cool to see. So I was stoked to be at that. I was stoked to enjoy it. And it just, it really did something for me. And, you know, to be able to be in the stadium, man, and just take all of that in. So as I sit right now, yes, we have to turn the page and look toward the offseason here. But I'm going to continue and enjoy this as a fan of a repeat champion team.

You know, not much what we can complain about, man. We could just sit back and just let it unfold. Yeah, that's a tough part. It's like how soon do you start going, you know, head first into looking at next season? We know the front office is, but hey, we're in this, this, this, weird position of being fans, but also, you know, analysts. We talk about this team. We tell people about this team, and we also want to enjoy and bask in that glory of what this team just accomplished, which hasn't been done in 25 years.

Well, that is now done. We don't talk about the Yankees anymore, the 99-2000 Yankees. We talk about the 24-25 Dodgers and maybe the 2026 Dodgers. They ruined baseball in 2025. They'll be looking to do it again, and you know what? That's not my problem. Always love this front end. Again, the concept of today's show, three big needs for the Dodgers.

No big surprises. We already talked about this. You know, different ways, shapes, and forms over the course of this now, you know, early offseason. Dodgers need an outfielder, Scott. We know this. Michael Conforto was a dud in 2025. And like I talked about here on the channel last week, he's not going to be back in 2026. I know shocking, breaking news there.

We know this team is in an advantageous position to improve. You know, not too often you get to improve the roster after winning a World Series, after ruining baseball after spending all this money. But a whole bunch of cash coming off the books here, Bob Nightingale pointing out $87 million when you add up all the pieces. Of course, finally being out from under that Chris Taylor contract, Kirby 8's off the books, Kershaw, Conforto, so on and so forth. That's a lot of money. It's a lot of cheddar.

And it could go towards, you know, the biggest. area of need in that outfield. You need a left fielder or maybe a center filter. So it's how do they look to reload that outfield in this offseason or could they maybe look to reconfigure it where you do get a center fielder, move pahez to right and talk tail and to go into left. Not that pahas is necessarily bad in center field anymore, but you could still find ways. They get to be creative. That is what's fun. It's been talked about. Yeah, it's something that with pahas that's been talked about. And we've seen, you know, how well his arm plays in a corner spot. We've seen it a number of times. He gets to put there in spot duty.

And Pahez's arm is something that he can show off. When you look at it and you're like, there's a little bit of Puega in there. There's a little bit of Puege in there, Clint, that you can see him, you know, gun somebody out. He's got a good feel. And I think with extended time in a corner slot, he could do it. He's young. He's athletic. He'll figure it out.

But it's just been when push came to shove, can the Dodgers secure a center fielder? It's like when we have with Kevin Kiermeyer, it was someone out there who can go get it, any spot in the outfield. It was someone you felt comfortable roaming center field. Do they attack that? Do they just say, you know, Andy Pahas, you've got the reins in center field. We'll see how things play out. There's a couple names that we can talk about who can man a spot. I don't know if there's one out there and it's the top name on the market.

I would say aside from Kyle Tucker, we'll talk about him too. But I would say, Clint, that a lot of the slots that they can fill in a corner spot, which is, I would say, you know, left field. Yeah, left field for sure. I do have a list of my view of the top free agent names available. We'll get into trade targets as well. But yeah, Kyle Tucker, right at the top of that list. Clear, clear favorite.

Free agent outfield are available. Of course, old friend, Cody Bellinger, old enemy, Trent Grisham in there, Harrison Bader. Dodgers has been linked to, war linked to in the past. Former Giant Mike Yistremski. And hey, Cedric Mullins, another name this team has been linked to in the past. Now, with all of those names, there's two kind of paths. There's clear paths that Dodgers can go with. They can either get way better or,

they can try to run it, run the, the Conforto idea back. Get a small, a small splash and hopefully hold out for the fact that one of the minor league outfielders they have, of which they have a ton of talent in the minor leagues. Hopefully one of those guys makes some huge leaps forward and is able to help this team next year. But looking at that list, looking at those names, of course, Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, pop right off the list for me. I would rather see this team play in the upper echelon of the market rather than just try to make a filler, you know, help this team out.

Worth noting, and I said it last week, a few times. Alex Call is still on this roster as well. He's somebody who could and should be around to help out with the outfield. But of those names, sort of the six names I had thrown on the screen, who do you want the most? And who do you think this team could actually, you know, target the most on the free agency board. We'll talk trades in a little bit as well. Yeah, a couple different spots you could dive into. If your look, of course, like the name of all those is Kyle Tucker.

I do have some concerns with Kyle Tucker and making him one of the highest paid outfielders in the game. I really do. And I think that's fair because, you know, some of the things as far as, you know, how much he loves the game, how much he's dedicated to the game. And do you want, when you line up, I know Enosar is had a great segment. And I want to give him credit to this. It's stuff that you've pointed out, but he put it very eloquently that he does a lot of things really good. But nothing about Kyle Tucker is overall elite.

He's been exceptional with the bat. Defensively, you know, he's not incredible. He's going to, he can steal you some bags, but he's definitely a superior left-handed bat. But can you say that you're going to hand another guy in his 30s of max contract, a big time contract? Can you put him up there with, you know, the biggest names in Major League Baseball? Do fans, do the Dodgers want to handcuff themselves to another, you know,

big time contract that's going to go into their like later 30 you know year old years. And that's something for me. I'm hesitant of it. Again, I always have to preface it that it's not my money. So if they do it, they do it. And if it falls into their lap,

but with Kyle Tucker, it's more so that if the market materializes the way that it possibly can, teams see this, he could fall into their lap and they can get something to do what they wanted to do with Bryce Harper and high Aav, low years, but I think Kyle Tucker is going to go for, you know, a big deal. The next one is Cody Bellinger. And it's someone, there's been a few

projections out there six, you know, six years. If you want to add one in after that, around 160, you know, plus million, it's someone I'm intrigued by. But if you look at where he's at currently, Clint, he's been terrific. Cody Bellinger, since he left L.A. has, you know, really grabbed the hold of his true game. And I could feel comfortable doing it. But I know you said you want to stay in the high tier. But I'm just letting you know that Mike Yostremski is someone that I've got circled for me as another one-year guy doesn't have exceptional range, has an arm. But from what I saw, and I know fans got this, and I know you know it too, against right-handed pitchers in the outfield, Michael Conforto was supposed to fill that need, and he couldn't do it. He didn't have it in him. He didn't make it

happen. He actually was the reason that the Dodgers didn't go back into the trade market at the deadline to find that bat to fill that void. So if they don't want to pay the top dollar, they don't want to pay Cody Bellinger, they don't want to pay Kyle Tucker. Mark it turns out that way. Yostremski has been really good versus right-handed pitching. And that's someone that I can see.

You know, Yistremski 8-08 OPS against Ritey, so he would be a strict platoon. And that's someone with Alex Call on the roster is the way I could do it. Yeah, I love the idea of a platoon. And that is one of the cheaper routes for sure. if you go the Mikey Ustremski route. I know some folks will have issues with it being a long-time giant or whatever.

I don't care. I just want to see this team get better and be set up in a better position to put some runs on the board in the postseason, something they struggled with. It's not necessarily on that left field spot. It wasn't necessarily because Kikei Hernandez didn't go into full Kiektober mode.

But they are in a position where they can get some help. And I really love, you know, You know, when they initially let Cody Bellinger go, it made all of the sense in the world. He was trying to find something that wasn't really ever there. What we saw in 2019, that is not Cody Bellinger's game. He is not that player. He can have some hot streaks here and there for sure.

He's a very good baseball player. I think, and I don't know if you agree with this, this kind of sentiment on it, Scott. I feel like, you know, Cody's floor or probably his average was more of what we saw in him out of him in 2018, which is a very good baseball player, wasn't what we saw in his rookie year, wasn't what we saw in 2019 as well. He's not an MVP. He's still a very, very good baseball player. And if he comes back, place some left field for this team, place some right field for this team in 2026, maybe spells Freddie Freeman at first base here and there. I am not against it. You know, I think there is a time and a place for a Cody Bellinger reunion as long as it's

right. And this might be the offseason for a Cody return. We can dive more into that in the second. But on Kyle Tucker, obviously, this is the biggest and best name out there. That fact probably hurts the team a little bit in that he's going to be looking for that 10-year deal. And I don't know that he is a $35 million a year player. I agree. I agree. Hey, it's not my money.

It is not our money. Absolutely. But in a way, it is our money because we'll have to be spending more. Fans will have to be spending more at Dodger Stadium if he do go out there and try to land to Kyle Tucker. the 10 years though I think that's the thing that worries me the most knowing that there are an abundance of names coming up with Hoseweta,

Zaire Hope, Mike Sorota, James Tims Tibbs III who they just traded for during the trade deadline last year the Dustin May deal Kendall George at himself a hell of a season very underrated dude like they have a but ton of outfield talent that's maybe two, three years away

and to be stuck stuck with somebody for 10 more years, even if it is Kyle Tucker, that's where, you know, like I really want to see this team eventually start to use its prospect power again, because we haven't seen it in a while. You haven't really seen it since Will Smith, if we're being honest. And, you know, Dalton rushing was a bit of a dud last year. Maybe he's somebody who could, they could try to slot into an outfield spot again or something like that, even though it doesn't look like he profiles like an outfiel that that can run.

they're in an interesting spot, but if you are able to go out there and drop some cash to get better, Tucker, Bellinger, yeah, they're going to be at the top of my list and we're looking at free agency. Yeah, so look, like it's the topic. We'll have this bleed into the trade conversation as well because a lot of people, you know, there's something that I'm holding out hope for is that there's been some stuff made in the past about the Dodgers ability to develop bats and develop a, you know, prospect that has a plus bat tool and have that translate to the big. league game. Will Smith is won. Andy Pa has had a stellar regular season fizzled out, you know, in a hard way in the post. And that's something that stuck out to everybody. And what we'll talk about this and tease it up and then we'll go more into the explanation at the trade route and why it's not that I'm hesitant to sign someone. If they do, they do. And that's, that's, they're making the best roster they can. But if the front office and the player development believe that some of

these young guys, the prospects and Soroto, some fast risers we've got going on here. And can they be the guy? Do you want to have a log jam again at a big league slot where a young player is ready to go? And there's just no room to play him every day because that's what these young bats need. They need a runway. They don't need a little bit of time. Dalton rushing had nothing left to prove in AAA. They brought him up and he didn't play on a regular basis.

So now it's what the hell do we have in Dalton rushing? So do they find a spot for him to play? With Will Smith, he's not going to catch. So where the heck are you going to play him? So that's the conversation. With the outfield, you've got some guys who can command this slot. They can do it. It's now, can it translate.

And that's what, with the big deal, it might not happen that way. So there's a couple ways they can get out of this. Trades, Teoscar Hernandez. We can figure some things out. But we'll talk about that with trades. Yeah, absolutely. We should talk trades. But first, there's still more, obviously, a lot more Dodgers territory to come.

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I didn't know that then because I very much used my creativity to romanticize life. And I'm like, my mom did a really good job of like, you step back and you're like, whoa, we, I don't know how we made it. So a lot of my life was like built out of like survival to get to the next place. Like my drive, my like tunnel vision of like, I got to be better. I got to achieve this was off the strengths of like I want to make a better life for us. If you knew better brings real talk from women who've lived it. Unpacking career pivots, relationship lessons, and the mindset shifts that change.

everything listen to if you knew better with amber grimes on the iheart radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast welcome back dodgers territory guys if you're looking for another way to support the show check out the store dodgers territory shop dot com is open scan that QR code click the link in the description below get yourself some swag we're getting into cold season so you see we've got the knit cap the beanie you got sweaters whole bunch of stuff something to hold your irish stuff coffee there if you want as well. It helps me out, helps Alana out, all that kind of stuff, and helps us bring you more

DT along the way. Let's get back into the nitty gritty with Gritty Scotty G here. Talked about the free agent's side of it. Looking at all the talent this team does have when it comes to pitching talent at the minor league level,

some of those outfield names that we've mentioned as well. There is a name, there's a few names. There's one name that was linked. I think we were all really, really hoping they would be a little heavier linked into that being not going to go to stephen kwan way i'm going the jaron deran way but look at i i think there's really only three trade targets and one of them by byron boston he said he's not going to be traded but anyways on the screen here if you're listening we got jaron duran we got byron boston we got stephen kwan those are going to be probably the

three biggest trade names i got one more bonus trade name in a second but of those three i'm sure you agree jaron duran is the guy who makes the most sense for this club. He can play a little bit of centerfield because I would love to see somebody with enough athleticism to also play centerfield. They're already kind of stuck in a way with a bunch of corner guys and just trying to figure it out. Jaron can play some left. He can play some center. Don't know about right, but you don't need that. You have that one covered. Buxton would be awesome. Says he doesn't want to leave Minnesota, but also maybe at some point in his career he wants to see, you know, win baseball games in October, win a World Series or something like that. And then Kwan, people have kind of soured on. Of those three, just kind of dive in.

Give me your thoughts on all three of those names. Sure, yeah. Byron Buxton would be an astronomical price. That would be one that we haven't seen for quite some time. He'd be, he's a hell of a player. Byron Buxton, when he's on field, he's a five-tool guy. He's exceptional. Injury history there.

So it's not that I'm crossing him off. It's that if that does happen, it'll materialize, you know, in the background. I don't know how much we'll hear about it. Sounds like a dodger to me right there, if we're being honest, the guy with an injury. Yeah, you know what I mean. Fit right in there. But it's, you know, it's not that I'm crossing them off.

It's just I don't see that being the case. It's definitely something with a ton of entry for, you know, just as immense, the ceiling there is something that it changes, you know, a spot in the order. He's definitely a name. With Stephen Kwan, you know, the Bob Nightingale report is something that I, that he reported that the Dodgers are going to be reenging in talks to acquire Stephen Kwan this offseason because how much they pursued them at this past deadline. And that's something that I believe to be true.

I will say that right. Like I really do believe that to be the case. It's not that I can co-sign. It's that I 100% believe that they're reengaging in those talks. They pursued him heavily. I think it's more about Clint the stability of a player, like an outfielder. That's not going to break the bank. And it's having the wiggle room with players still in arbitration.

That's where you have Jared Duran still has arbures left. Stephen Kwan still has Arb years left. He has two years of team control here, whereas Jaron Duran has three years of team control. So following the 2028 season, he's a free agent there, Stephen Kwan, including this

2026 year following the 27 season, he will be a free agent. So I think it's more of the stability in between Jaron Duran and Stephen Kwan, I've got cases for both. I've long said that you don't pay a high premium for a contact type of guy. But if there's

The Dodgers front office is selling me on the stability of an outfield position with a glove that they can see in a left-handed bat, then I can get on board with either one. I don't like the high-price premium, but if they're searching for a stability without a big contract pay tag, price tag, I'm okay with it. I can be bought into it. It's not my priority list of Stephen Kwan, but Jaron Duran with how good he can be against right-handed pitching. I'm going to keep highlighting this. Everybody says they couldn't hit lefties.

I think the Dodgers really, you know, missed out on having someone, whether it's a platoon bat off the bench and the, you know, starting lineup with an outfielder, that's where they missed a lot. And I think with Jared Duran, he's someone who has plus plus speed. He's an aggressive base runner. I don't think the defensive metrics with him are anything you can buy into because of the big green monster in Fenway. So playing left field is really tough out there. So it's someone that if they're able to do it, I believe Jaron will be out of. of Boston because of how much outfield depth they have. It's someone that I've got right at my one.

And then Stephen Kwan probably after that, if it's the trade route. Yeah, trade route, I mean, overall, between all the names we've kind of talked about, between free agency and trade. I honestly think Jared Duran is my number one overall. From there, maybe it's Bellinger than Kyle Tucker, then Stephen Kwan, because I'm weird like that. Again, there are just some issues, long-term issues with the Kyle Tucker thing that that gives me a little pause. They already have so many contracts.

What? It's showy Otani under team control through 2023. Or sorry, 20303, Yamamoto, 2035. Mookie 2032. Will Smith, 233. You know, paying another $35 million for somebody into their 40s or almost into their 40s. It's, it can raise an eyebrow. And you don't want to end up like the Padres who are stuck with all of these very much aging stars

who can't quite figure out how to win. in. There's another one I wanted to bring up just to potentially maybe ruffle some feathers, but we heard early in the offseason, at least early in Philadelphia's off season, that, hey, there's a chance. There's a chance to Phillies might be entertaining Bryce Harper. Oh, man. I know it's a stupid idea.

It's the first baseman now. But if they are going to look to offload some salary, some payroll there, if they've become disenchanted with Bryce Harper, which I think Dave Dumbrowski went on foul territory and said, like, no, we're keeping Bryce Harper. He's not going anywhere. He's a part of our plans. You know, words don't mean much in the offseason.

Dodgers have some talent. They could stand to cut some payroll. Obviously, this is dumb. This is just for me because I like to do this because I know it upsets people. But could there be a scenario where the Dodgers can pack? it's something together, get Bryce Harper back over in LA. His elbows, not back over, but at least in that 2018, 2019 offseason, it felt like he was going to be a Dodger. The elbows healed up. He could play left field. He could play right field. And we know the bat is good. Thoughts on a

Bryce Harper potential trade. I mean, they could do it. They could, Dodgers could make anything happen with the contract, the prospects, they could make anything happen. The likelihood of it, That would spell the end of the Philadelphia Phillies, this little window that I think their window has been extended as far as it can go. That's why they have some big offseason decisions to make Real Muto, Schwarber. They've got a lot to figure out there, Ranger Suarez. So the likelihood of that, I'm going to say like a 2%, because it's all anything as possible. But if Bryce Harper was moved out of Philadelphia, it would spell the end of anything they potentially have going on there because he's a franchise guy. He is someone who's a tone setter.

Don't think it's a fit for L.A. He'd be a great piece, but I don't think a trade like that would happen. Hey, I was told in the Freddie Freeman offseason, there was less than 10% chance of Freddie coming to the Dodgers. So give me that little bit of an inch. We'll see if they could take a mile. Of course, price is getting on in age as well. So do you want to be still stuck with another eight years of contract or whatever?

but the limited trade market might force some creativity. And the thing is, ultimate the root of it. We had a whole bunch of conversation last night on my All Dodgers show of, you know, can they run it back almost as is? And this team is good enough. They are built enough as is right now without, you know, major splashes. Just bringing back a Miggie Row or maybe a Kikeira Hernandez. They have enough talent to at least challenge for a title again in 2026.

So right now, listen, I don't want to say it's a house money type of offseason. but you're coming off back-to-back titles. All you're playing for is the pride of saying you went back-to-back-back, which is pretty damn cool. I think it would be an absolute failure if they don't make any moves. I think the fan base would and should be upset if they didn't make any moves, but they don't need to go out and chase a move, which is something I absolutely love.

That said, they're still going to make a splash in the outfield market this winter. Any final thoughts on the outfield before we switch? Yeah, I mean, look, And chat, I'll agree with this. We've seen this, you as well, that the Dodgers in the front office just have make moves on the margins. And just like you said, they're going to continue to make moves on the margins here. I think they have the pieces. Everyone forgets, you know, Hess and Kim, how he's going to factor in, the health of Tommy Edmund's ankle,

can he man, center field, how much time is he going to take? What are they going to do? The trade route with the two arbitration years is a sexy route for me to take just in the one-year deal thing because I want to have them with the wiggle room, if these young, you know, if Geron or Stephen Kwan, if they work out, then you extend them. Go ahead. If they don't and you want to just pay them through arbitration, that's it. And then they go free. Slap a qualifying offer, however you want to do it, if they haven't already been offered that at some point in their career, then you have the opportunity for some of the young guys to have that slot open. So that's the route that I think, you know,

I prefer, and I think the front office is going to pursue initially. If not, then they're going to say maybe we dip. Maybe we, you know, we dip into the long-term stuff. Cody Bellinger can take over at first base, you know, after that center field and the outfield dreams, go ahead. Freddie is, you know, his contract is up. There's routes that they can go that things can work out. The Dodgers are, like you said, in a house money situation where a lot of maneuvers fit their needs and their current trajectory. And so that's why it's for fans, don't get too hyped up and, you know, too upset if they miss out on the big tickets. There's a lot of routes that they can take where they're in an incredible spot.

I saw somebody in chat mentioning that, you know, if you get too many of the same guys, they're not going to, like Yankee style hitters, they're not going to have the same success. They just won back-to-back titles. They can do whatever the hell they want. They're on a trajectory that they've got the formula that can work out for them and they're going to be anchored by this starting pitching. So it's just a matter of getting the guys that can, you know, fill the slots they need to produce enough runs and enough stuff in the clubhouse to make it all work.

Yeah. Don't need to win the offseason this off season. That is a really, really good position to be in, especially when you're coming off of winning a World Series. It's the new me and it's the old them. Everybody's on their journey. And your journey is different to this. This Woman's History Month, the podcast, if you knew better with Amber Grimes, spotlights women who turn missteps into momentum and lessons into power.

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Search the Cino Show. And listen now. Well, another area that this is, you know, that was big need number one, talking about it for almost 25 minutes. Big need number two. We know the bullpen needs a little bit of help. Maybe.

There's kind of an ellipsey's and a maybe in there because there are a bunch of names that are going to maybe be available. You know, they're coming back, being healthy at some point you hope Evan Phillips will be back from from Tommy John later in the season. You have Bruised Rack Gratterall returning next year. Hopefully. I put this graphic up on Thursday's edition of the show, but a couple of names that are potential starters heading into spring training.

Yeah, but looking at Kyle Hurt, Ben Casperius, Justin Rebleski, those three dudes in particular really, really, in my opinion, help out this bullpen in 2026. But at the same time, there are free agents. There are big names out there. There's a number of closers. I am banking on the fact that Tanner Scott will be better in 2026. Maybe not better enough. He doesn't need to be the closer, in my opinion.

But I also don't think they need to land a closer. But how do you add to a bullpen that was non-existent by the time we got to game five of the World Series? The bullpen was, no, no. The breaking case of emergency, we're sticking. with Yamamoto in every waking breath that we can and some other starters. Some of the guys that are out there, of course, free agent relievers. You know the big names, Edwin Diaz, Devin Williams, Robert Suarez, bailed out of that sinking ship in San Diego.

Ryan Helsley is a guy. The Dodgers have been linked to a number of times. Had a really, really bad go of it after being traded last year. Pete Fairbanks, who, Scott, I think you and I could both agree. He's just going to be a Dodger. That's a fact. And Kenley Jansen, I threw on this list, who would, love to come back home. Doesn't need to be a closer. If he signs there to be a closer, I don't want

him. But obviously those guys make a splash, but all have different levels of commitment and money. Edwin Diaz not going to be a Dodger. We can just throw that out there. But any of those other names intrigue you, maybe Devin Williams by low right now. Yeah, any of the other names intrigue there for this club. Yeah, Devin Williams, Devin Williams definitely intriguing. He had a second half resurgence with the Yankees there. If they're able to get him on a one-year deal, for the I think the Dodgers are going to go after a one-year deal relievers, perhaps with an option there, you know, a club option, mutual option, and then go from there. But I'm in the one-year route, just like you said, I don't see them dipping into the mega-contract with Edwin Diaz or anything of that matter.

Ryan Helsley is the name that is on there. That's super intriguing. His time with the Mets was very bad. He cost himself a lot of money. And I think he'd be a perfect candidate for a one year. go give him, you know, 16 through 18 million for a one year. He's had some issues with pitch tipping. And I think with the Mets, that really came to a head.

And it really blew up. His stuff was all looked the same. His metrics were all about the same. Usage was right on par. They didn't change much there. But he was pushed into a setup, high leverage role. And it really didn't work with him. His K rate dropped a little bit, walk rate spiked a little bit.

But his pitch tipping, I think in a new environment, you know, getting him maybe hit a little bit, kind of all. blew up in his face there. So he's a one-year guy. You get him at the back end, let him get in, fix the pitch-tipping issue. There's great videos about that. I think that's someone who would be an intriguing piece at the back end,

but I'm a one-year deal guy. And one you don't have on there, Clint, as someone that I've been hoping that the Dodgers could get back is Chris Martin. He's someone that I, he is just a journeyman guy for a number of years. He has done it. He's 39 years old. He's old, man.

He's he can just pitch. He's a rubber arm type of guy. He's had some injuries, but he's someone that you can get on a one year, super low money deal. He's just going to go out there and pitch. He's been one of the most productive relievers for, you know, seven, eight years. So it's someone that I'm always been interested in, and I would love to bring him back.

That's a dark throw, man. But if they just want to get someone who's a rubber arm, but Ryan Helsley's the number one for me as a closer spot and on a one year, you know, prove a deal and then go let him make some more money on the forage market. Yeah, I love the idea of Helsley. I think for all the reasons you listed, that's where it makes the most sense as long as it is that one year kind of prove it deal. Because in my opinion, in my view, this is a guy that is literally just replacing Kirby Yates, who was not a part of the postseason bullpen, rightfully so, but somebody who's replacing

what Kirby Yates was supposed to do for this team, which was supposed to replace what Dan Hudson had did for the team, particularly in 2024, that veteran that gives you some Oxy can get you out of a tough, you know, bases loaded, no out, maybe get you out of a base loaded, no out situation in the sixth inning or save a game for you in the ninth, somebody that has some flexibility that is willing to use it. You know, it's weird. I've been for a while very against the idea of a Kenley-Jansen reunion. He's been pretty effing decent since leaving L.A. last year had a really, really nice

here with Anaheim where there's absolutely nothing to play for. letting the dude, giving the dude an opportunity to come back and win another title, be a two-time champ himself, actually get his parade, doesn't offend me the way it might have in the past. Not so much of the parade part, but Kenley-Janson reunion, because you know it would be a one-year deal. He's not going to be looking for 20-mill anymore. We're looking at maybe a $10, $12 million contract, maybe even less. Maybe you can get him eight or something like that because he has come back home. he understands like, I don't know, they have money to pay for him.

I don't really know how that works. It's not my money. I don't need to care about the contract logistics of it. But you can get them on a one-year deal. And that's, I think, the key here is one-or-two, one-year deal guys, whether it's a Helsley and a Kenley, Pete Fairbanks and a Ryan Helsley, something like that. I don't think they play into, like some people are thinking they might. I don't think they play into the Edwin-Dia's or more so the Devin-Williams, Robert Suarez market.

I don't see that. I know Bob Nightingale has mentioned that they could be playing in that market amongst others. I don't see it. I really don't. That's why I'm the one-year deal stuff. I'm pretty confident with that. I think if it's a one-year, like I said, with a mutual or maybe a player option, something. I don't think they'll go player option.

I think it'll be one-year, big A-A-V, let him go get paid in one year. Let Helzley get paid in one year. And if it works out, great. Then he gets to parlay that and do enough the contract that he deserved. if the, you know, this hiccup doesn't happen with the Mets. And I think that's just the perfect target. I think he would be into that. Reset yourself and the Dodgers would say, you take care.

Thank you for the, you know, thank you for this back end dominance that we appreciate the hell out of. And hopefully it's that, you know, with another World Series title. But I think that would be a great move. He's, you know, had a lot of innings, a lot of mileage, but a lot of dominance. And his stuff all looks good. It's just the pitch tipping stuff really blew itself up. So, like I said, circling Ryan Helsley, keeping it there.

big money A-A-V, one-year deal. And if they want to go get one more, they can. But I think they're set on lefties, so I'm going to stay away there. And then the righties, like you said, with the Kyle Hurd, and we didn't even talk Roki. We didn't even talk starting. But it's a matter of they have, I think, enough in the bullpen to make that happen because no Blake Trident anymore.

So they're going to have to find Dave Roberts, going to have to find a new favorite to go with in the bullpen. You mean no, Blake Trinnan and just being that high leverage guy? Obviously, he's going to be back. But, yeah, he's not, he's not your, your number one fireman for sure. So Dave needs to find that guy again. I'm really hoping it ends up being Ben Casperius. I love the dude in relief.

I think he couldn't really get back into a good rhythm after he was told he was in a start and then never really became a starter. It just, the season sort of unraveled from there. First two months, I mean, we were big time Benny Caps, guys. You know, the truth is wrong when you're talking about Benny Caps. year number three in the big leagues is going to be very good for Ben Casperia. Same with Rebleski. I mean, with that dude, you've got future closer stuff as well out of Rebleski.

But that sounds like a conversation for a different show. We're not talking so much about the guys that are here. We're talking about the guys they need to go out and get. And I do have a final, a third big need. And I'm calling this kind of, it's the wild card, because there are really two big needs. It's a bullpen arm and an outfielder. That's obvious.

But I think there's going to be a move. no one is expecting. Could it be signing an infielder? Alex Brighman is a free agent coming off of a nice season with Boston. Boba Shed has been linked to this team at different points in time, maybe to play second, try to play him at third, try to play him at short, and that is not an indictment on any of the guys that are currently on this Dodgers roster. Of course, we know Muno Taka Murakami is a free agent coming over.

I don't think the Dodgers are going to be in on him personally. Or there's always the fan favorite of every. offseason. Nolan Aronado trade, platoon with Muncie. I don't know. Could it be an infielder? Thoughts on that, you know, the wild card aspect of a third need for this team? I would say it's a veteran starter who can

eat some innings. I'm going to say that. Someone who can go out. It's like the James Paxton's greatest thing was that he didn't miss a start in his time with the Dodgers. And then when they got rid of him, it was that, you know, thank you for your service, sir. Appreciate the hell out of it. So I'm going to say, yeah, here's your ring. I'm going to say here. It's a starting pitcher that can go out, rubber arm can just pitch every fifth, six day, depending how they do it, and just fill them in there as someone who's willing to pitch in any role.

That's the sneaky move that I see. Can never have too much pitching. The Dodgers proved that's the case, and it carried them to a World Series title with all upper echelon guys. So I'm going to stay right there. It's going to be a veteran starting pitcher. I haven't had a chance to look at who I love out of that group, but there are enough rubber arm veteran guys that can fill that knee.

I mean, there's this a little known dude, Terrick Scouble as well. Tigers apparently willing to listen for trade authors out there for Terrick Scubal. You think there's any sort of world just for the sake of people here who desperately want Terrick Scobble to be a Dodger? You think there's some sort of world where Detroit would be dumb enough to trade away their superstar? I mean, anything is possible, Clint. untouchable stuff in Major League Baseball. It's just outside of players having a no trade clause. Those things unless the guy just refuses to leave and loves where he's at.

But Terrick Scoobal deserves to get paid how he can pitch. He deserves to be one of the highest, if not the number one paid starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, perhaps ever. Stuff we've never seen before. So he deserves that. Can the Tigers gamble on just running it? back without the security blanket that he's under contract for an extended period of time. Does he want to pitch that way?

You know, he might just have to, but can the tigers walk away from this with just a qualifying offer at the very back end of his tenure in Detroit? That would sting, that would kill. And I think that would be if there's no chance you can pay him. And he's just, he's out like he's, you can, when in these conversations, if you get there and he just at a certain point, he goes to, you know, the brass and says, that's it. I'm done. We're not, you know, we have nothing more to talk about. I'm going to pitch the duration of my contract and that's my time. Can the Tigers front office do it? Yes, they can just, you know,

go down with the ship of getting no return, but it would be incredibly bad business for them not to explore the best offer that they can get. So yes, Clint, there is a world that the Los Angeles Dodgers put together a massive package. And that's where I would be at. So if they do it, great. And it's possible, man. You guys heard it here first. Scott Kierman confirmed the Dodgers are going to be all the way in on Terrick Scoobel this winter. How could you not? I mean, how could you not? You know, same.

I know. How could you not? People also want Paul Skeen. Skeens isn't going anywhere. The pirates aren't trading away their meal ticket there that they can use for another couple of years. But the fact that, like getting back to your idea, it wouldn't be shocking to see them add a starter that just gives them some innings, somebody that's going to fill what Clayton

gave them during this run during the regular season and then be like, all right, we don't necessarily really need you. You mentioned James Paxon as well. Getting that arm, just give me, give us 100 innings, 80 innings, 120 innings maybe. I'm not opposed to Yamamoto getting plenty of rest in the early parts of the season. Don't need to burn them out because the most important time, this team is making the postseason. They're probably winning the division again. You need to have everybody ready to go maxed out in the month of October.

But it's going to be an interesting off season, man. It's so weird like where, again, there are. are needs, there are obvious needs, but there's no clear path for how to fix this team. It's been a while. It's been a while where there hasn't been a very clear and obvious path. This is the definite way you go. You get one of these guys here. You go out and re-sign Tay Oscar and land another starter or whatever it is.

I'm looking forward to it, man. I know you're looking forward to talking a whole lot about it. Guys, make sure you go follow this guy on the social media machines. It's at Scott Geerman on the Twitter. he's hosting Dodger Heads Unplugged on Dodge Blue YouTube channel a couple times a week. Congrats to you boys over there. 100,000 subscribers.

That is a really, really cool. A lot of hard work dedication. Doing it the right way over there on Dodger Blue. So I appreciate you guys. That's about it today, guys. We appreciate you hanging out with us. Let us know your thoughts down in the comments. If you're watching this after it was live,

who do you want to see the Dodgers land? Can they kind of stand? Pat, without going crazy. I'm interested in knowing how people feel. about the current 40-man roster for this team. One more mention of support us, like, share, subscribe the show, trying to get to 15,000 subscribers, and also support the show by buying some stuff if you have for it.

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