Dodgers Rumors: Ken Rosenthal confirms LA’s interest in Josh Donaldson

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal wrote confirmed that the Dodgers do have interest in former Braves’ third baseman Josh Donaldson.

The MLB hot stove has gotten off to a much quicker start than anticipated as reliever Will Smith and Chris Martin have already signed new deals.  Then there is the White Sox signing of former Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal.  Now there is a confirmation of a prior rumor regarding the Dodgers.

Ken Rosenthal in his latest piece for The Athletic (subscription required) confirmed that the Dodgers do have a legitimate interest in Josh Donaldson.  Interestingly enough, Rosenthal says that Donaldson has an “edge” to him and that he is a loud player who is known to push a lockerroom.  Rosenthal also mentions he had to be asked to “tone it down” from Freddie Freeman.

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That type of demeanor would be a big change for the Dodgers’ locker room that features quiet and reserved players such as Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger.  It could also be the type of change that the lockerroom needs.  Something hasn’t been working out the last few years so a change would not be a bad thing.

The addition of Josh Donaldson could mean several things for the Dodgers’ off-season agenda.  It could allow the team to pursue a starting pitcher and reliever since Donaldson is not going to get as much money per season as Anthony Rendon.  That isn’t a knock on Donaldson however, Rendon is just younger and better than almost every third baseman in the league.

In the same article, Ken Rosenthal also mentions that the Dodgers are one of the teams interested in Korean left-hander Kwang-Hyun Kim.  Kim is 31 years old and was posted in 2014, but the San Diego Padres were unable to finalize a deal.  The scouting report on Kim is that he throws a fastball, slider, and a curveball.

With the Winter Meetings approaching in a matter of weeks, the hot stove should start churning out plenty of rumors.  While the Dodgers are expected to have some level of interest in Anthony Rendon and Gerrit Cole, it remains to be seen how serious their interest is.