Dodgers: 3 All-Stars LAD can still sign this offseason

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the reigning champs, but that doesn’t mean the fans will scale back expectations for this upcoming season. You could even argue that they’re more hungry to get back to the World Series than they were last year, and this collective viewpoint has resulted in some unrest amid the club’s relatively quiet offseason as far as big spending is concerned.

While the Dodgers have made a couple of statement additions to their bullpen, the fan base has been persistent in their demands for a right-handed bat who can play on the left side of the infield (specifically third base), and potentially another starter to add to the rotation for depth purposes.

After all, there’s bound to be a shower of injuries to pitchers this year following the 60-game sprint and relentless playoff schedule last season. We hate to even say that, but these hurlers are creatures of habit and their workloads getting slashed as much as they did in 2020 can seemingly only have negative consequences.

Luckily for the Dodgers, however, there’s an abundance of All-Star talent still braving the free agency waters with approximately two weeks remaining until spring training, so let’s attempt to highlight some players they should look to sign as they get set to defend their title.

The Dodgers can still sign these three players this offseason.

3. Trevor Rosenthal

How about another reliever for the bullpen, Dodgers fans?

The Dodgers got the chance to witness what Trevor Rosenthal brings to the table when they faced off against the Padres in the playoffs last year. In that series, they actually got the better of the 30-year-old reliever, blitzing him for four runs (all earned) in just an inning of work out of the ‘pen.

Despite that atrocity of an inning, however, Rosenthal has enjoyed tremendous success in the postseason throughout his career. In 27 games (30 innings), he’s compiled a 2.40 ERA alongside eight saves, 48 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP. In fact, six of the eight career earned runs he’s allowed in the playoffs came this past season with San Diego.

Assuming that was just a blip on the radar more than a sign of things to come, the Dodgers should absolutely look to add Rosenthal to their improving bullpen. His rebound during the shortened 2020 campaign could potentially be an indication that his injury troubles and location struggles are a thing of the past.

Rosenthal has logged 132 saves over his career, but he has plenty of experience working as a middle relief guy and setup man, making him a perfect fit for the Dodgers, who don’t exactly have designated innings lined up for their current assortment of relievers. For a player with a career 3.36 ERA and 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings, signing him is really a no-brainer.

2. Justin Turner

The Dodgers almost need to bring back Justin Turner at this point.

It’s admittedly pretty bizarre that the Justin Turner contract saga still isn’t resolved, but given the reported mutual interest between both sides to get a deal done, you have to think an agreement will be reached at some point in the near future.

The holdup in negotiations seems to boil down to Turner’s desire for a four-year contract, which is a tall ask for a player who turned 36 at the start of the offseason. His production is still spectacular, but the proverbial drop-off can happen at any point between now and the next four years, with it most likely coming in the latter stages of that timeframe.

Taking that into account, it’s understandable why the Dodgers are playing hardball. At the same time, however, we’re talking about somebody who was instrumental in their championship run in 2020, batting .307/.400/.460 with 46 hits, 23 RBI and 26 runs scored over 42 games, and then coming through in the clutch in October.

To put it simply, Turner is the only elite-caliber player remaining on the open market that could fill Los Angeles’ need for a right-handed-hitting third baseman. It doesn’t sit right that both sides don’t seem close to agreeing to terms on a new deal, but given the competing market (or lack thereof) for his services, we firmly believe he’ll end up back with the Dodgers when all is said and done.

1. Trevor Bauer

Are the Dodgers and Trevor Bauer a match?

The Dodgers’ offensive firepower might nab all the headlines, but we would argue that their starting rotation has had a bigger impact during their extended streak of dominance. Barring something truly unforeseen, it can be expected to be just as impactful this upcoming season.

With spring training fast approaching, the Dodgers will have all six of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price (remember him?), Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May at their disposal for 2021. That might just be the deepest rotation in the league, but there’s still plenty of time to make it virtually unstoppable by adding free agent Trevor Bauer to the mix.

Per the latest buzz, the Dodgers and Mets seem poised to battle it out for Bauer’s signature, though the Angels could re-enter the sweepstakes after pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who he didn’t get along with in Cleveland, was accused of sexual misconduct by five women in a scathing report dropped by The Athletic. 

Assuming Callaway is fired within the next 24 hours (please let that be the case), the Angels could once again become players for Bauer, and that should light a fire under the Dodgers to step up their pursuit of the 30-year-old star, who’s been holding out for the best deal possible.

While LA doesn’t necessarily have a glaring need for starting pitching this season, signing Bauer would be viewed as a long-term solution as both Kershaw and Price will be free agents within the next two seasons. The reigning NL Cy Young would obviously bolster the team’s chances to repeat as champions this season, but that would simply be the icing on the cake for this potential home run addition.

Dodgers: 5 free agents to target if MLB gives NL the DH spot

The Universal DH may become a permanent fixture of MLB and if so, the Los Angeles Dodgers should pursue these five free agents.