Similar to free agency last offseason, shortstop is a position of strength with the likes of Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson and Trea Turner on the open market.
Although the Los Angeles Dodgers would welcome re-signing Turner, they are also said to have interest in Correa as well. But the likelihood of the Dodgers signing Correa doesn’t appear to be high given his part in the 2017 Houston Astros cheating scandal.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are facing reported competition from the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners for Turner, who may still hold a preference of returning to the East Coast.
If the Dodgers find themselves in need of looking at options beyond Correa and Turner, they could attempt signing Swanson, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
Word is, the Braves made an opening offer of about $100 million over six years to Swanson, which seems light. Sources suggest he did counter that offer, leading folks to believe he would indeed like to stay home in Atlanta. But the Dodgers seem to view him as a very viable and interesting option in light of the issues with Correa and Turner.
Swanson, a former first overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2015 MLB Draft, has spent his entire big league career with the Atlanta Braves.
Swanson is going through free agency for the first time. One pillar of the Braves’ 2021 World Series team played every game year season while recording his highest full-season batting average (.277) and also setting career highs in RBI (96) and stolen bases (18).
The 28-year-old is not viewed as being in the same tier as Correa and Turner, but Swanson would be a quality shortstop for the Dodgers if that’s how free agency unfolds for them. He presumably could also be signed to a contract that isn’t as lucrative as what Correa and Turner are projected to receive.
Dansby Swanson free agency interest
Other than loosely being connected to the Dodgers, interest in Swanson has largely centered around the Braves keeping him part of their organization.
But like with Freddie Freeman last offseason, even the surest outcome can go wayward in free agency.
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