Coming off their first World Series championship in over three decades, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with an opportunistic approach to improving the roster.
Among the club’s biggest priorities include upgrading the bullpen and adding a right-handed hitting position player. In what has been a quiet offseason thus far, the only notable move to this point was acquiring former Milwaukee Brewers closer Corey Knebel.
While it has taken some time for the hot stove to heat up, the Dodgers have remained active on the fringes of the roster, signing a flurry of players to Minor League contracts. The team has also been linked to some of the biggest names on the market such as Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu and Liam Hendriks.
Whether or not the Dodgers make wholesale changes to their roster remains to be seen, but manager Dave Roberts is in favor of bringing on newcomers. “I just believe that changing pieces and infusing some new life, some new energy, for me, I think is a good thing,” he said.
“It doesn’t always work out the way you might envision, but I definitely think that the culture is certainly in place, but I do think adding new pieces is always welcome for me. But they’ve certainly got to be the right pieces.”
As it currently stands, the Dodgers figure to return most of their core from last season, but could still stand to make a few changes. The club still has decisions to make on seven free agents, headlined by the likes of Justin Turner, Blake Treinen and Joc Pederson.
Each of the aforementioned names have garnered interest elsewhere and it is no guarantee they wind up back with the Dodgers. However, re-signing Turner is said to be the organization’s first choice over pursuing alternatives.
Re-signing Turner a top priority for Roberts
While Roberts is open to new additions, he also made it clear he wants Turner back. “He’s way up there. He’s way up there,” Roberts said of where re-signing falls on his list of priorities.
“I think what Justin does on the field, in the clubhouse, in the community, he’s one of the Dodger greats. He really is. It’s been six years he’s been with the Dodgers, and he’s in that elite company.
“His body of work is really special and unique. But it’s a two-way deal here: it’s the Dodgers and Justin and his family. For me, selfishly, I’ll take him for as long as I can have him.”
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