Dodgers rumors: Angels and Dodgers to battle for Anthony Rendon?

The Dodgers and Angels both seem to be in the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes.  Both Southern California clubs also appear to be chasing Anthony Rendon.

The biggest free agent on the market Gerrit Cole is being pursued by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  That is not the only free agent that could have a freeway battle for their services.  Both the Dodgers and Angels also appear to be in the running to land Anthony Rendon.

This development is interesting for a few different reasons.  The first being what it could mean in the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes.  The Angels are said to be willing to offer whatever it takes to land the Newport Beach native but the New York Yankees are also willing to write a blank check for the top starting pitcher in free agency.

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Anthony Rendon could be a fallback option for the Angels if they are outbid by the Yankees or possibly even the Dodgers.  If the Yankees land Gerrit Cole and the Angels are willing to offer a long-term lucrative deal to Anthony Rendon then that could be bad news for the Dodgers as the Angels could offer more knowing they have the DH spot available for Rendon in his later years.

If the Dodgers do not land Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon that would be a big disappointment given that the team began free agency with roughly $40 million to spend until they reach the luxury tax threshold.  If the Dodgers are outbid for Cole and Rendon, it could push them to sign Josh Donaldson or perhaps try to land Francisco Lindor in a trade and move Corey Seager to third base.

If there is one thing about this year’s free agency period, it is to expect the unexpected and there are very large amounts of money being thrown around.  If the Dodgers truly want to land a star free agent, ownership will need to open their checkbooks and spend more than they are comfortable spending to land Rendon or Cole.

The Dodgers and Angels are pitted against each other for Gerrit Cole and they could also be going head to head to land Anthony Rendon.  The biggest battle between the two clubs might not come on the field, it could be at the Winter Meetings.