SAN DIEGO -- It was a quiet Winter Meetings for the Dodgers, something that has become somewhat expected over the last few seasons. But just as has been the case in years past, that by no means means the Dodgers will remain silent this winter.
In 2020, the Dodgers made the biggest splash of the offseason by acquiring Mookie Betts from the Red Sox in February. Two years ago, they signed Trevor Bauer in January. Last season, albeit in different circumstances, Freddie Freeman became a Dodger in March.
Is a move of that magnitude out there for the Dodgers this winter? That’s unlikely. But there are players that could fit this Dodgers team. Let’s take a look at a few targets and where they would fit.
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1. Carlos Correa, SS
On the field, signing Correa makes a lot of sense for the Dodgers. Correa gives the Dodgers some edge, a postseason performer and one of the best shortstops in the Majors, a position of need after Trea Turner left for Philadelphia earlier this week.
In any other life, the Dodgers would be meeting with Correa and his representatives trying to lock up their next franchise player to a multi-year deal. In this life, however, Correa played for the 2017 Astros, making things a little more complicated.
Because of Correa’s involvement in the Astros’ cheating scandal, the Dodgers are sensitive to the potential negative fan reaction. Only three players remain from the 2017 Dodgers, but it’s still an unusual situation, one that makes it unlikely Correa ends up in Los Angeles.
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2. Carlos Rodón, LHP
Like Correa, Rodón would also make sense for the Dodgers, who are looking to add another frontline-type starter to the rotation. The left-hander, however, has a preference of playing away from the West Coast and will be demanding a lucrative multi-year contract, something the Dodgers aren’t comfortable offering, especially with Julio Urías, former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani set to become free agents next winter.
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3. Kevin Kiermaier, OF
Of the free agents left on the market, Kiermaier is a center fielder that makes a lot of sense for the Dodgers. Kiermaier is recovering from season-ending hip surgery, but he’s ramping up and will be ready for Spring Training, according to a source.
When healthy, Kiermaier can give the Dodgers about the same production Cody Bellinger delivered the last two seasons. More importantly, however, Kiermaier is a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, giving the Dodgers the level of defense they need to replace at the position. There’s mutual interest here.
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4. Andrew McCutchen, OF
McCutchen’s fit is intriguing, and there’s interest on both sides. The 36-year-old could give the Dodgers a right-handed bat off the bench, similar to what Hanser Alberto provided last season. McCutchen posted a .738 OPS against lefties last season. |
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5. J.D. Martinez, DH Martinez is another right-handed option, but he’ll need much more playing time than just a bench role. The Dodgers were very interested in Martinez at the Trade Deadline and have shown interest again. |
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The Dodgers went into the Rule 5 Draft knowing it was unlikely they would make a selection in the Major League portion, but they were fully expecting some of their prospects to get chosen. That ended up being the case.
Through three picks, the Dodgers lost two players: 1B/OF Ryan Noda to the A’s and left-hander Jose Hernandez to the Pirates. Fifteen picks later, the Dodgers also lost right-hander Gus Varland to the Brewers. One player that wasn’t selected was outfielder Jose Ramos, the organization’s No. 8 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
In the Minor League portion, the Dodgers selected right-hander Yon Castro from the Yankees, right-hander Carlo Reyes from the Phillies and outfielder Josh Stowers from the Rangers.
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WINTER MEETINGS RUMBLINGS |
• With Trea Turner off the roster, the Dodgers appear to be confident with Gavin Lux being their starting shortstop next season. Lux has primarily played second base in each of the last two seasons but came up as a shortstop in the Minors. With the coming shift rule changes, the Dodgers would like to have players that have range in the infield, and they believe Lux can provide that.
• The Dodgers will be signing an outfielder this offseason, primarily one that can play center field. Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson can play the position, but they’re significant downgrades on the defensive side.
• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made some noteworthy comments in San Diego, admitting that the Padres had “more intensity” during their National League Division Series defeat of the Dodgers. Roberts said getting back that sense of urgency is something the team will need to talk about next spring.
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• Miguel Vargas and Gavin Stone are the two names to watch next season. Vargas will get a lot of opportunities in 2023, and Stone might be the most talented pitcher of the prospect group. Bobby Miller is the top pitching prospect in the organization, but he needs to show improvement in Triple-A.
• Justin Turner and the Dodgers continue to talk, and a reunion remains a possibility. Turner, however, will have to be OK with the fact that Vargas will be taking away a healthy chunk of his at-bats. Unless Turner signs elsewhere, this is something that could take a few more weeks to get resolved.
• Willy Adames makes a lot of sense for the Dodgers at shortstop, and Los Angeles has shown interest in him. Milwaukee isn’t listening on the star shortstop right now, though that could change at the Trade Deadline if the Brewers get off to a slow start.
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