A Look at the Top Free Agents by Position for the Dodgers

Outside of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the batting side of free agency is really weak this year. Combine that with the fact that the Dodgers have no need whatsoever to sign a first baseman and this area is really a non-issue.

Currently, Dave Roberts has Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and David Freese to play at first base. Providing all three of those guys need time on the field, fitting another first baseman into the mix will be really tough. But, find me a first baseman that can play any of the infield positions and probably some left field if you were really desperate and I am suddenly listening. Insert Wilmer Flores. 

Flores was recently non-tendered by the competing (I think) Mets and he is actually the prototypical Dodger candidate. In 2018, Flores saw action on defense in 101 games playing 83 of them at first base, 13 at second and 10 at third. Flores was also brought into the league as a shortstop. However, across the board, Flores finds himself in the negatives in terms of DRS. That could still work off the bench.

All of those things leave Andrew Friedman, the king of defensive versatility, jumping for joy. Add on some decent offensive numbers and signing Wilmer Flores for the money he will likely demand is not half bad.

Flores has maintained an OPS+ over the league average mark of 100 for the last three seasons and has maintained an OPS in the mid to high .700’s. Flores also had a .316 wOBA in 2018 and has held a career wOBA mark of .312. Off the bench, the 27-year old Venezuelan utility player could look really nice in blue.

The going rate for a good bat is creeping up but with stats like Flores’s, I can not imagine him getting any more than $5 million a year over two years.

Do the Dodgers need a first baseman? Not a chance. But, throw some versatility into the mix and this signing could actually make a lot of sense for the right price. Color me very interested in Wilmer Flores.