Heading into the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers needs were easily apparent; the starting rotation, bullpen and second base position all needed to be addressed.
As it currently stands, Los Angeles has yet to to fully address those question marks.
Hisashi Iwakuma reportedly agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract, and Chase Utley re-signed on a one-year deal.
The Dodgers did at one point appear to be on the verge of adding an electric closer to their bullpen in Aroldis Chapman, but the trade with the Cincinnati Reds has been put on hold for now.
With Cincinnati in rebuild mode, they’ve made other marquee players available for trade, one being Todd Frazier.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Dodgers are among the teams to have expressed interest in the third baseman, though it may have been tied to the Chapman trade talks:
Trade talks are starting to percolate with Todd Frazier as Cincinnati continues to talk to teams about the star third baseman. The White Sox and Indians were thought to be among the teams most heavily involved at last week’s Winter Meetings, with the Nationals, Royals, Dodgers, Rangers and Angels among teams believed to have some involvement or interest. The Dodgers’ talk may have been connected to the Aroldis Chapman discussion.
Frazier is under control for two more seasons. He’ll earn $7.5 million in 2016, which is the second of a two-year, $12 million contract previously signed.
The 29 year old hit .255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs, 43 doubles and 89 RBIs. Additionally, Frazier posted a .342 wOBA and 114 wRC+ in 678 plate appearances over 157 games. Last season was the third consecutive year he’s played in a minimum of 150 games.
Frazier made a second straight trip to the All-Star Game last season, during which he defeated Joc Pederson to win the 2015 Home Run Derby.
For as much as the Dodgers have specific needs to address, team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he’s taking an open approach to upgrading the roster, rather than solely focusing in on specific targets.
