4 star free agents Dodgers can sign when lockout ends

Though Los Angeles Dodgers fans are likely disappointed with the way the MLB’s free agent frenzy finished for them last week, they’ll certainly come out on the other side with a prime opportunity to do significant damage to the market.

It might be a while, sure. It might be months on end. But when the time comes and the bell rings, there could be four or five top free agents desperate for attention in LA’s lap.

Unlike some other theoretical behemoths (cough, the New York Yankees), the Dodgers haven’t done nothing. They signed Andrew Heaney before we were sure free agency had even opened. They imported reliever Daniel Hudson to lock down the middle innings. They rewarded Chris Taylor for his loyalty with something between a flyer and a mega-deal.

Despite the (admittedly huge) losses of Corey Seager and Max Scherzer, Andrew Friedman at least attempted some roster fortification. Now comes the tough part: replacing superstars.

Luckily, no big-market team is better equipped to play in that end of the pool whenever the time comes than Los Angeles. There’s a reason that, just before the lockout, we began to hear about big names the Dodgers had either checked in on or could pursue. Players want to play here, and there’ll be a larger pile of money waiting in Hollywood than in Steve Cohen’s purse. That’s already been burned through.

When the lockout (finally) ends, keep an eye on these four free agents and their attraction to Dodger Blue.

These 4 free agent stars could sign with Dodgers after MLB lockout.

4. Freddie Freeman

The Freddie Freeman connection still seems tenuous, but if the Dodgers are primarily being used for leverage against the Atlanta Braves, then … they’re certainly being used a lot.

Just before the deadline hit and all discussions ceased, the Freeman-to-LA pipeline was the one most prominently spread by bored insiders like Jon Heyman, desperate to create some form of drama.

There’s certainly a fit in Hollywood for the 32-year-old California native. Every MLB team except a select few would be crazy not to bend the knee and out-bid the Braves’ apparent five-year offer for Freeman, an annual MVP candidate with a smooth lefty swing that seems likely to age fairly well. Max Muncy’s injury issues throw a wrench in LA’s plan, leaving not just a “universal DH” spot (likely) available, but perhaps first base for the foreseeable future, too. Considering the lineup is officially down one (1) Corey Seager and could lose Trea Turner next offseason, too, the Dodgers aren’t exactly in a position to say “no” to Freddie Freeman.

If things were clogged, they’d figure it out. And … would you look at that … they’re not. That Funky Muncy will be back soon enough, but while his UCL heals, taking fielding off the table instead of shifting him to second base makes the most sense.

It’s still likeliest the Braves eventually cave during their two or three months away from the diamond. But, on the oft chance they don’t, MLB’s insiders agree the Dodgers will be waiting.