Dodgers: Latest Brad Hand rumors put LAD in prime position

Rumors suggest the Dodgers could have the inside track on Brad Hand.

The MLB Hot Stove may not be fully ignited, but luckily for the Dodgers, the one area in which the embers are burning is the only one they’ve shopped in so far this offseason: the bullpen.

LA has already added Corey Knebel from Milwaukee, re-upped with Blake Treinen after a successful 2020, and signed Tommy Kahnle away from the Yankees for next season (or this season?).

They did, however, miss out on the highest-dollar prize to change hands thus far this offseason, with Liam Hendriks inking a three-year deal with a fourth-year option in Chicago, choosing the White Sox after early overtures from both the Dodgers and Astros.

Will this open up the relief spigot further? Who knows? Has anything worked yet?

The smoke does seem to be turning to fire surrounding Dodgers target Brad Hand, though, who it’s been reported is actively seeking multi-year deals as of Tuesday.

Interested clubs in the Hand market include the Blue Jays, Mets, and your Los Angeles Dodgers, and we’d wager LA has the best chance to land him, based on recent information.

Toronto is still stuck in limbo, trying to decide whether to pursue DJ LeMahieu as he sours somewhat on the Yankees, while also trying to “outbid” the Mets for George Springer — or, at least, pick Springer up on his way down from New York’s rejection of his services.

Those very same Mets? After the Francisco Lindor/Carlos Carrasco deal, they can’t spend money without shedding existing contracts or going over the luxury tax. And every time they’ve spoken to Hand, it’s been predicated on one-year deals.

If the Dodgers like Hand enough to offer a multi-year contract (even just two years!) at over $10 million annually (his declined option), that should be enough for a reunion.

Based on what we know, Los Angeles is the most likely team in the fray to swallow this not-that-bitter pill for an elite reliever.

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