Dodgers should pursue Jose Ramirez deal after Indians’ Lindor trade

The Dodgers should look to exploit’s Cleveland’s financial ineptitude.

The MLB’s slow-moving offseason market experienced a long overdue blockbuster injection  this week when it was reported that the New York Mets had acquired shortstop  (and Dodgers target) Francisco Lindor and right-hander Carlos Carrasco from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for a bounty of players.

This is a colossal deal for the Mets, who really did well not to give up more touted players or higher-rated prospects in their farm system. As for the Indians, well, this trade unfortunately encapsulates where they currently stand financially.

If we learned anything over the last coupe of seasons, it’s that Cleveland never stood a chance at meeting Lindor’s demands once he hit the open market. Taking that into account, unloading him was really the club’s only option, and that got us thinking: if the Mets were able to exploit their unfavorable situation, the Los Angles Dodgers — a team that was reportedly in on Lindor ’til the end, but remained reticent to shed their prospects — shouldn’t think twice about pursuing a trade for third baseman Jose Ramirez.

The Dodgers have been aggressive bolstering their bullpen this offseason, and they deserve massive credit for doing so, as it wasn’t exactly a strength during their championship run. With that being said, however, fans have started to grow a little antsy in terms of the front office shifting its attention to the offensive and defensive side of things.

With free agent Justin Turner looking unlikelier by the day to re-sign with Los Angeles, we truly couldn’t think of a better player to succeed him than Ramirez. Over the last four seasons, the two-time All-Star has compiled a .283/.369/.555 slash line to go with 108 home runs, 317 RBI and 330 runs scored.

When you consider those numbers, it shouldn’t be surprising that he finished no worse than third in MVP voting in three of the last four seasons. At the same time, however, it shouldn’t take away away from how impressive and rare that is for a player this side of Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

Ramirez proved time and time again during that span that he was ready to help lead Cleveland to  the promised land. He just didn’t have enough help. Luckily for him, that wouldn’t be the case if he landed with the Dodgers, who easily have the deepest roster in the majors.

At 28 years old, Ramirez is just entering his prime and would slot in perfectly at third base for a team that has to brace to lose not only one of its most consistent players, but one of its most outspoken clubhouse leaders in Turner.

LA Dodgers icon Tommy Lasorda passes away at 93

Los Angeles Dodgers icon Tommy Lasorda has died at the age of 93 after an extended hospital stay. Rest easy to a true champion.