As a team with World Series aspirations and deep pockets, the Los Angeles Dodgers regularly are connected to the sport’s top players in free agency and on the trade market. In recent years that notably has been Yu Darvish, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.
Of course, the Dodgers successfully traded for Darvish and Machado at the deadline in back-to-back seasons, hoping each would play a key role in the franchise ending its World Series drought. They failed to entice Harper with a short-term contract that would have set an average annual value record.
This winter the Dodgers reportedly have made contact with free agents Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg. And they are believed to have interest in a potential trade for Cleveland Indians All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor.
The Dodgers being tied to marquee names is a familiar refrain, but according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, there is an earnest effort behind that:
Yet, even with all of those built-in excuses for inactivity, the Dodgers are pursuing the biggest free agents and exploring trades for the biggest stars.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman historically has been hesitant to dole out the type of contract necessary to sign the likes of a Cole, Rendon or Strasburg. However, players of their age and caliber haven’t readily been available on the open market.
Furthermore, indications are Rendon is open to sacrificing length of a deal while still receiving salary compensation that is similar to Nolan Arenado’s contract extension with the Colorado Rockies.
On the trade front, the Dodgers have been mentioned in possible scenarios not only involving Lindor but Mookie Betts as well. Complicating matter is Lindor remains under team control for just two more years, and Betts is due to become a free agent after next season.
It also is unclear how motivated the Indians and Boston Red Sox to move their franchise cornerstones at this time.
If the Dodgers were to miss out on Cole, Rendon or Strasburg, and if Betts and Lindor aren’t moved, the team could pivot to the next tier of players that includes Josh Donaldson and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
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