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Dodgers: What the Winter Meetings revealed about LA’s off-season plan

By Michael Wittman |
Stan Kasten and Andrew Friedman, Dodgers, (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Stan Kasten and Andrew Friedman, Dodgers, (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: President and part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Stan Kasten, speaks to President of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Andrew Friedman, before game one of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: President and part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Stan Kasten, speaks to President of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Andrew Friedman, before game one of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The Winter Meetings have now ended and although the Dodgers were not very active at the meetings a lot was learned from the event.

The Dodgers sent Andrew Friedman to the Winter Meetings looking to kick off a big off-season.  To the surprise of many, all three of Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and Anthony Rendon have signed by the end of the meetings.  Unlike last winter when the top free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper took their time signing as Harper did not sign until late February.

At the current pace of free-agent signings, the free-agent pool should be pretty dry by the time January rolls around.  Josh Donaldson and Hyun-Jin Ryu are among the top free agents left on the market and they should be able to sign before the calendar turns to January.  The Dodgers could consider both Donaldson and Ryu as they have been linked to both.  Here are some other things the Winter Meetings revealed about the Dodger’s off-season plan.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game Five of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game Five of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers’ primary off-season target was Gerrit Cole

The Dodgers held meetings with each of the big three free agents but they were only serious about one of them, Gerrit Cole.  The Dodgers did not even make an offer to Anthony Rendon as they believed he did not want to play in Los Angeles and nobody knows if the Dodgers ever made an offer to Stephen Strasburg.

The one thing we do know is that the Dodgers made an eight-year offer to Gerrit Cole worth around $300 million dollars but that was not enough as the Yankees went “all in” with a nine-year offer.  It was a valiant effort for the Dodgers but the Yankees pulled out all the stops and were able to come out ahead of the Dodgers.  Cole would’ve been a massive signing for the Dodgers but they were not able to close a deal.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 08: Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 08: Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers could still pull off a blockbuster deal

While the Dodgers were not able to land their primary target Gerrit Cole, there is still a chance that Andrew Friedman will pull off a blockbuster deal.  The team was once again linked to Indians’ shortstop Francisco Lindor at the Winter Meetings and the team continues to talk about a potential deal.  David Vassegh went on MLB Network yesterday and said he believes Mike Clevinger could be part of a potential deal involving Lindor.

The Indians were reportedly asking for Gavin Lux and Dustin May which would be a serious overpay if Francisco Lindor is the only player coming back to the Dodgers.  If the Indians are willing to include Clevinger who has three seasons of control left, the Dodgers might be willing to include both Lux and May.  If such a deal was completed it would completely change the Dodgers’ outlook for 2020.

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 15: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the fourth inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 15, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 15: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the fourth inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 15, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers are still targeting a few free agents

The lone free agent the Dodgers signed at the Winter Meetings was former All-Star closer, Blake Treinen but they may not be done yet.  Los Angeles still has interest in another reliever Dellin Betances who like Treinen is coming off an injury-plagued season.  If Betances returns to form along with Treinen, the Dodgers’ bullpen would go from an Achilles heel to the strength of the team.

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With Hyun-Jin Ryu still a free agent the Dodgers could look to bring in a free agent starting pitcher.  The Dodgers continue to have some level of interest in bringing Ryu back and they were even linked to arch-nemesis Madison Bumgarner during the Winter Meetings.  The club has not been linked to any other free agent starters yet but it could depend on whether they are able to land a starter in a trade, such as the possible Lindor deal.

As the Dodgers continue to seek upgrades to their lineup, the Dodgers still have interest in third baseman Josh Donaldson.  The club did not make an offer to Anthony Rendon but they are one of the teams still in the running for Josh Donaldson along with the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and possibly the Texas Rangers.  Donaldson is the only third baseman left on the free agent market that would be a big upgrade to the lineup.

Next. Sluggers the Dodgers could pursue with Rendon off the board. dark

The Winter Meetings revealed a lot about what the rest of the winter could have in store for the Dodgers.  The team is shying away from long-term contracts and they are pursuing anyone that could help the team get over their World Series hurdle, as long a it’s a short-term deal.  If there is going to be a franchise-altering move made this off-season it will likely come through a big trade.

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