During the Winter Meetings, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the club’s focus was on adding elite talent to the roster, and manager Dave Roberts described their pursuits in free agency as being more aggressive than years prior.
However, that’s yet to lead to any notable acquisitions. Stephen Strasburg re-signed with the Washington Nationals, the New York Yankees outbid the Dodgers for Gerrit Cole, and Anthony Rendon didn’t have interest in joining L.A. for fear of the lifestyle.
Now with top free agents off the board, the Dodgers have seemingly shifted their focus to the trade market. They are believed to covet Cleveland Indians All-Star Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, and reportedly engaged with the Boston Red Sox in talks for Mookie Betts.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, the Dodgers remain involved for a potential trade with both the Indians and Red Sox:
The #Dodgers are the team to watch. They are being very aggressive in pursuit of Francisco Lindor and Mike Clevinger of Cleveland and remain in contact with the #Redsox on Mookie Betts. SS Corey Seager is their top trade chip veteran players.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 22, 2019
Despite public assurances from Indians president Chris Antonetti that Lindor would remain with the team come Opening Day of the 2020 season, they have seemingly continued to entertain trade talks. The Indians reportedly asked interested teams for their final offers heading into the weekend.
The Dodgers have been the team most prominently connected to a possible trade with the Indians. Prying Clevinger and Lindor from the Indians presumably would require parting with significant prospect capital. Cleveland reportedly is not interested in Corey Seager and prefers to receive Gavin Lux and Dustin May.
The Dodgers have also shopped Seager to the Red Sox, who similarly have publicly stated a trade of Betts is not necessary. However, they have a known desire to get below the luxury tax threshold and clearing Betts’ salary would accomplish as much.
Despite Betts already having rejected multiple contract extensions, Boston reportedly remains confident in their ability to re-sign the star outfielder when he becomes a free agency next year.
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