With every passing year, this is a conversation that instantly starts to build until something happens or doesn’t happen. Every team in the MLB either gets rid of players or adds players.
Occasionally, one or two teams land a coveted and highly talked about player or players. Whether that be via free agency or trade. As they have done the past few seasons, the Dodgers are hopeful that they will add a difference maker to their team.
A difference maker can be anything from a lights out closer to a right handed power bat. Fortunately, both of those options are available on the free agent and trade market. Current players on the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox could make an impact on a team like the Dodgers.
Players such as Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor are a couple of names that have already started to gain traction in the trade market. If you are interested in learning about Francisco Lindor and the Dodgers interest in him, click here
If you aren’t familiar with Mookie Betts, here are some of his many achievements: 2018 World Series Champion, four time Gold Glove winner, four time All Star, three time Silver Slugger and 2018 American League MVP.
Betts was first player in baseball history to win the MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and World Series in the same year (2018).
Both Lindor and Betts are easily impact players for the Dodgers but at what cost? Neither player would require an absolute haul but with together, the amount of players traded would exceed five.
The upside for the Dodgers is that although both players are big name players, they are soon to be free agents. Mookie Betts will be a free agent after the 2020 season and Francisco Lindor will be a free agent after 2021.
If the Dodgers choose to follow their philosophy of hoarding prospects, then maybe they will turn to the free agent market to bolster their team. Big name pitchers such as Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Madison Bumgarner are now free agents.
Given the long history against the Dodgers, Madison Bumgarner may be the least likely to join the boys in blue. On the other hand, both Cole and Strasburg are Southern California natives and could possibly consider the Dodgers.
This last offseason, MLB saw Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Mike Trout receive the largest contracts in sports history. This year, the roles have flipped and Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg are the marquee names.
Gerrit Cole will most likely receive a record breaking deal for a pitcher.
The Dodgers are not known to hand out massive deals but that could change following their recent struggles in the playoffs.
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