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Marlins' Christian Yelich Would Be A Fine Consolation Prize For Dodgers

This article is more than 6 years old.

Restaurant patron to waiter: "Can I have another coupla minutes, please. Everything looks so good!"

We've all been there, where much of Major League Baseball sits now, looking over a menu that's a bit like the Marlins' roster, where the selections are just so scrumptious. With Giancarlo Stanton off the chalkboard specials and the Fish up to the gills in debt, it's time for the Dodgers to cast a line. And reel in Christian Yelich.

Yelich's outfield mate, Marcell Ozuna, is getting most of the digital ink on the trade rumors circuit now, and it may be that he's the guy Miami decides to throw over the side, but it's up to rival general managers to pitch a trade. Ozuna is great, by the way, and he'd make a fine get for the Dodgers; I just think Yelich would be a better one.

At it stands this afternoon, Los Angeles has two big left-handed bats in their everyday lineup -- Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger. Sure, Andrew Toles may bounce back from injury and hold down the LHB part of a platoon in left, and sure, L.A. may re-sign Chase Utley for some reps at second base; and yes, Yasmani Grandal may stick with the club in some sort of split-time catching assignment with Austin Barnes. But those are big "ifs," and a third accomplished lefty stick in the lineup is key to a balanced roster.

Yelich is an accomplished lefty stick, and then some. He's been as consistent as a young player can possibly be, hitting between .282 and .300 in each of his five seasons in Florida, with an on base percentage low of .362, and on OPS always between .764 and .859. Having just completed his age-25 season, Yelich's lifetime 162-game line is .290/.369/.432/.800, 37 doubles, 17 home runs, 74 RBIs and 18 steals (five caught stealing). He has a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove in his trophy case.

Ozuna's record shows a more up-and-down player, with averages ranging from .259 to .312 (in 2017), OBPs from .303 to .376 (2017) and OPSs from .691 to .924 (also 2017). He mashed 37 homers with 124 ribs in 2017. A career year or the new norm? The 162-game average looks like this: .277/.329/.457/.786, 31 doubles, 21 homers, 90 ribs, three steals and three caught stealing.

Both Yelich and Ozuna can help a club anywhere in the outfield; Yelich leads in career WAR 17.7 to 13.7.

Like I said, the menu items are enticing. Yelich has the higher ceiling in my view, with a breakout coming at any time. And again, in my view, better to add the left-handed bat.

Yelich has $7 million coming to him in 2018, $9.75 million in 2019, $12 mil in 2020, $14 mil in 2021, with a $15 mil option and a $1.25 mil buyout in 2022, when he'll be 30 years old. A great player with an absolutely glorious contract. Ozuna is arbitration eligible now with a $10.9 million estimate and can be come a free agent in two years.

Yelich is a local boy, born in Thousand Oaks and a graduate of Westlake Village High School.

Either of these players is worth Miami's pick of the Dodgers' minor league system, with the exception of Walker Buehler. As a starting point, that is. Another prospect or two, plus Joc Pederson, if they want a cheap thumper. If it takes Alex Verdugo to get a deal done, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. Ozuna would be an excellent Dodger. Yelich would be a better one.

And remember, glove conquers all.