Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts will, in all likelihood, finish his playing career in Los Angeles, making this his new home. Because of that, Betts has started to understand the importance he’ll have in the community. 

With Thanksgiving a few days away, Betts hosted a Thanksgiving Grab and Go drive-thru event at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South Los Angeles for the second consecutive year. 

Betts and his wife, Brianna, provided 1,500 meals, which included turkeys and some toys for kids, during the event. 

“It’s the holidays and it’s the season of giving,” Betts said. “Thanksgiving means the world to me, especially spending time with my family, which -- it’s hard for me to spend a lot of time with my family because of my work. Thanksgiving really hits home for me and I really cherish these moments. I cherish giving back and cherish these times spending time with family.”

While Betts’ event wrapped up a busy week, it wasn’t the only initiative the Dodgers had leading up to the holiday. Dodger Stadium hosted more than 400 veterans experiencing homelessness to enjoy a Thanksgiving-style lunch. The veterans also received a gift bag.

And, as has been the case for nearly two decades, the Dodgers did provide turkeys to local communities in the area. In 2023, the Dodgers donated a total of $30,000 to six local charities that will provide turkeys and trimmings to people in need. 

With all that being said, have a good and safe holiday week!

Thanksgiving week usually means food and watching football, but it also represents a time when the Hot Stove really starts to heat up in baseball. 

The Braves, Phillies and Cardinals got the pitching market going this week. Atlanta signed Reynaldo López to a three-year deal on Monday and St. Louis signed former Dodger Lance Lynn to a one-year, $11 million deal with a club option for 2025. 

Now, it was the Phillies who really got the top-end starting pitching market going, signing Aaron Nola to a seven-year deal. The Dodgers were interested in Nola, but the right-hander ultimately decided to stay with the only organization he has played for in his big league career. 

With Nola off the market, things should start moving after Thanksgiving and into the Winter Meetings. The Dodgers, of course, will be involved for just about every top starting pitcher, both via free agency or trade, this winter.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was officially posted by his NPB club and Major League teams will have 45 days to negotiate with the talented Japanese right-hander. The Dodgers have scouted Yamamoto for years and will be heavily involved. Blake Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, also remains a possibility. Snell has developed a solid market this winter and would give the Dodgers the proven front-end starter that is desperately needed in Los Angeles. 

In the trade market, the Dodgers have checked in on Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease. That’s not unusual, however, as the Dodgers will do their due diligence throughout the winter. If Tyler Glasnow becomes available by the Rays, that’s another possibility for the Dodgers. 

There’s a lot to be worked through over the next couple of weeks, but it’s all starting to move, and the Dodgers will continue to be in the thick of it throughout the winter.

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