Three-Inning Save: Dodgers opt for the bird in the hand

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we take a look at the Dodgers roster and payroll for 2024, which has become clearer in the last week.

Michael Busch, whose path to playing time with Los Angeles was narrow at best, was traded along with reliever Yency Almonte to the Cubs in exchange for a pair of intriguing minor league prospects. The Dodgers have added four prospects in trades this offseason in moves that were essentially made to clear space on the 40-man roster. 

One of those 40-man spots went to outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who was signed by the Dodgers to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. We talked about that move on the podcast last week, a transaction which essentially completes the active roster position-player set, and Hernández is the latest to join the group of Dodgers with deferred salary.

More clarity came with the Dodgers reaching agreements on 2024 contracts with all 10 players eligible for salary arbitration, avoiding a hearing for a fourth consecutive season. This group included catcher Will Smith, starting pitcher Walker Buehler, back-end relievers Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol and many others. In all, the Dodgers are looking at the highest tier of the competitive balance tax with an estimated payroll of $300 million.

And they might not even be done adding this winter.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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