Dodgers Rumors: Hot corner market heating up ahead of winter meetings

The Dodgers were reported to have interest in Josh Donaldson.  His market has begun heating up with the Twins being the latest team interested.

On Friday the Dodgers were linked to third baseman Josh Donaldson once again, this time it was Ken Rosenthal confirming the Dodgers’ interest which was originally reported by the LA Times.  Since then the Twins have become yet another team with interest in the slugging third baseman.

While the Twins don’t have the financial resources like the Dodgers, they do have the DH spot which could allow them to offer a lengthier deal.  Then there is still the Atlanta Braves, the team that Donaldson played for last season.  The Braves have come out swinging in free agency with their latest signing being one time Dodger Travis D’Arnaud.

For the Dodgers, it is not yet clear if they view Josh Donaldson as a potential backup plan for a failed run at Anthony Rendon or if he is their primary third base target.  Donaldson’s annual salary will be much less than Rendon so the blue could decide to sign Josh and also still have financial wiggle room to upgrade their rotation and bullpen while staying under the luxury tax.

Anthony Rendon’s market has not yet churned out any rumors but that should change once the winter meetings arrive.  Jon Heyman did report that the Dodgers have interest but that they’ll “remain disciplined”.  The Washington Nationals are expected to make a bold attempt to keep Rendon in D.C. while other clubs like the Texas Rangers and Dodgers are also expected to have some level of interest in him.

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If the Dodgers are not that serious about signing Rendon then Josh Donaldson is the next best third baseman.  Not only is Donaldson an elite slugger but he is also an underrated defender.  Signing him would still allow the Dodgers to shift Justin Turner off of third base to improve the infield defense.

That would leave Gavin Lux without a spot though so it remains to be seen if the Dodgers view Donaldson as a player worth moving the infield around for.  Of course, the Dodgers could always include Lux in a trade for a player such as Francisco Lindor which is another star player that has been linked to LA in trade rumors.

If the Dodgers miss out on both Anthony Rendon and Josh Donaldson the trade market may be their best route for an infield upgrade.  Mike Moustakas is another free agent third baseman but he is an average defender and another left-handed bat.  The whole point of signing Rendon or Donaldson would be to upgrade the infield defense and add a right-handed bat.

The Winter Meetings will begin in just two weeks in San Diego and that is when free agents should begin flying off the board.  If the Dodgers are going to make a run at one of the star free agents then rumors will start coming out during the meetings.  If they go after second-tier players then they could make some moves ahead of the meetings.