Heading into the Winter Meetings in San Diego, the Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams that had been connected to Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, who represented the top of the free agency market.
Although the Dodgers had a history of being prudent under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, indications were the club was willing to spend the necessary amount for either of the three. Friedman would later say the Dodgers were in pursuit of elite talent.
Their roster had a clear void in the starting rotation, which lent to reported interest in Cole and Strasburg. However, Justin Turner has become an All-Star third baseman during his time with the Dodgers.
As L.A. was linked to the likes of Josh Donaldson and Rendon, it surfaced that Turner was open to a position change if it meant improving the team. That prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to praise Turner’s unselfishness, via MLB Network
“For a veteran, All-Star player to say, ‘Whatever it takes to help the Dodgers get better, I’m in for whatever.’ That set the tone for this winter for the Dodgers.”
What’s to come of Turner’s openness is unclear. Rendon didn’t have any desire to join the Dodgers organization, and they appear unlikely to extend the requisite four-year contract offer to Donaldson.
In theory, a trade for Nolan Arenado or Kris Bryant remain possibilities, but unexpected. The end result may be trades that address other areas of the roster.
The Dodgers are believed to have held extensive talks with the Cleveland Indians for Mike Clevinger and Francisco Lindor, and preliminary discussions for Boston Red Sox All-Star Mookie Betts.
If the Dodgers were to complete a deal with the Indians, it’s plausible Turner would then be moved across the diamond to first base. Cleveland is not believed to have interest in Corey Seager, which would leave the Dodgers with a surplus of infielders if he was mot moved in a separate deal.
That domino effect would likely entail Max Muncy shifting over to second base, which then puts Gavin Lux in limbo if he was not included in a trade. Though, Roberts recently said Lux was a candidate to receive time in the outfield next season.
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