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Dodgers: Why a rare free agent splurge on Gerrit Cole makes sense

By Michael Wittman

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game One of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game One of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: James Paxton #65 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning in game five of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The 2021 free-agent starter class is not very good

Another reason why the Dodgers should splurge on Gerrit Cole is that next year’s starter crop is not very strong.  The top two starters on the market figure to be James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka but chances are the Yankees will keep one if not both of them.  After them, the next best starter is likely Robbie Ray although he has had plenty of injuries in his time with the Diamondbacks to go along with inconsistency.

Marcus Stroman, Jake Arrieta, Jose Quintana, and Trevor Bauer are the other starters who could head to free agency next winter.  Arrieta and Quintana are coming off down seasons along with the fact that Arrieta will turn 35 years old in 2021.  Stroman and Bauer shifted over to the National League but neither had much success in the senior circuit.

If Clayton Kershaw further regresses in 2020 then the Dodgers could be in big need of a starting pitcher next winter.  The blue can get ahead of the game and sign Gerrit Cole this off-season and make sure they are not looking for a starting pitcher next winter when the free-agent starting pitcher class is weak.

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