With MLB free agency yet to reach full swing, top names on the market, Washington Nationals teammates Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, and Houston Astros starter Gerrit Cole figure to soon receive growing interest and lucrative contract offers.
After falling to the Nationals in the National League Division Series despite winning 106 regular-season games, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be one of the more active teams in free agency this year, and they have already been linked to each of the biggest stars available.
Rendon, in particular, is an interesting option for the Dodgers as while they already have a bonafide third baseman in Justin Turner, he is believed to be open to moving over to the right side of the infield if the 2019 MVP candidate was added to the organization.
Additionally, Rendon is reportedly interested in signing a short-term, high annual average value contract, which is similar to what the Dodgers were willing to give Bryce Harper last offseason.
But if the Dodgers want to sign Rendon, they are going to need to open their checkbook. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, he is expected to ink a contract north of $200 million, although it might not reach the extension that Nolan Arenado signed with the Colorado Rockies:
Rendon is expected to land a deal for more than $200 million, though it remains to be seen whether he can beat (or even match) the eight-year, $260 million contract Nolan Arenado signed to stay with the Rockies last spring.
It will be interesting to see if the Dodgers prioritize adding aright-handed bat in free agency, or if they use their available resources for pitching instead. As it currently stands, their starting infield next season would be Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, Corey Seager and Turner.
They have been linked to some right-handed bats such as Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor on the trade market as well, which are solid alternatives if they are not able to sign Rendon.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he went into the offseason open-minded after winning the division for the seventh straight season but failing to win the World Series once again.
Coupling that with the reports that have already come out, it looks like some big changes will be coming in Los Angeles this winter.
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