Dodgers Quick Hits: Winter Meetings Day One Recap

Yesterday the winter meetings kicked off.  While it was a slow rumor day, there was a few news and rumors involving the Dodgers.

The Dodgers and the rest of MLB front office executives arrived in Las Vegas yesterday looking to improve their teams.  The first day of the winter meetings is usually slow as it’s mainly all of the front office executives getting into town and settling in.  The next few days should bring more action and plenty of rumors about the Dodgers.

The Dodgers did make a move on Sunday in regards to their front office.  The Dodgers hired Jeff Kingston to be their new assistant GM and vice president of baseball operations.  Kingston has previously spent time with working under Kevin Towers with the Padres and Jerry Dipoto with the Seattle Mariners.  Kingston will join the group of assistant general managers that Andrew Friedman has assembled.

Other news…

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• Andrew Friedman put an end to the narrative that the Dodgers don’t sign big money free agent relievers yesterday. Friedman noted that the Dodgers have almost signed some big name relievers in the past and didn’t rule any signings of relievers out this off-season.  Upgrading the bullpen is one of Friedman’s priorities and the free agent reliever class is strong.
• Multiple baseball insiders like Buster Olney and Bob Nightengale confirmed on Sunday that the Dodgers are shopping the outfield trio of Joc Pederson, Matt Kemp, and Yasiel Puig.  Puig and Pederson have been linked to the Indians’ starting pitcher trade talks and Matt Kemp is in the last year of his deal and the Dodgers would be glad to ditch any of the 21 million he is still owed in 2019.
• The Dodgers shopping multiple outfielders and meeting with Bryce Harper all but confirms that the Dodgers do indeed have interest in Bryce Harper.  While it’s still not known how serious their interest is, the Dodgers have the resources to sign Harper if they truly want him.  The final four teams for Harper figure to be the Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, and White Sox.
• The Dodgers who are interested in beefing up their bullpen are showing serious interest in David Robertson.  Robertson is an elite reliever capable of getting both left-handed and right-handed hitters out.  Earlier last week we profiled Robertson and how he should be the Dodgers’ main target among relievers.

• With the Dodgers appearing to be willing to dish out 300+ million to Bryce Harper, one has to wonder if they would have interest in a reunion with Manny Machado.  Machado’s market figures to sort out once Bryce Harper signs but the Dodgers do have Corey Seager for shortstop and it’s unknown if they would want to move him to a different position like second base.