Dodgers Rumors: 4 player opt-outs that can change free agency for LA

Enjoy the ride in 2022 while you can, Los Angeles Dodgers fans. Not to get too far ahead, but the 2023 roster could look very different, which will leave Andrew Friedman and Co. to do their spectacular work on the free agent/trade market.

The only reason this should be of concern to LA fans at this very moment is because of how some of these situations have changed throughout the year. A number of stars possess player options heading into the offseason, and many thought it either would’ve been a foregone conclusion those options would be exercised, or that the player would be extended by now.

Before we get into that, though, here are Dodgers players who can or will hit free agency after the World Series concludes:

• Clayton Kershaw
• Trea Turner
• Tyler Anderson
• Andrew Heaney
• Craig Kimbrel
• David Price
• Cody Bellinger
• Justin Turner
• Joey Gallo
• Daniel Hudson
• Tommy Kahnle

At the end of the day, the Dodgers might’ve been able to survive the 2022 season without most of these guys a) being present or b) performing to the best of their abilities, but it’s still extremely hard to replace that many players (largely of elevated caliber) and potentially have to rework the cultural fabric of the team should, say, a combination of Kershaw, the Turners and Bellinger manage to depart.

A potential antidote, however, is using that good ol’ Dodger Cash to sign the best names out there and further supplement the unique combination of young talent and veteran leaders. If these guys hit the open market, there’s no reason to think LA won’t be after more than one of them.

4 player options that could change free agency for the Dodgers

4. Carlos Rodón

How about stealing a key contributor from the San Francisco Giants? Some people think Carlos Rodón might opt into the 2023 season with SF, but he just proved he was healthy and is having a career year! Why wouldn’t he parlay that into a long-term deal?

Right now, he leads the league in FIP (2.41) and Ks/9 (11.4). He’ll be a sought-after target and it’s safe to say the Dodgers will be in need of a lefty starter in the event they lose more than one of Kershaw, Anderson or Heaney. They’ll also be without Walker Buehler for all of 2023, so the need for an ace-like arm alongside Julio Urías and whomever else will be paramount.

Don’t worry, there are more of those options on this list, but Rodón represents a viable target entering his age-30 season who could be worth a multi-year deal despite previous injury issues. Either way, the Dodgers always figure out a way to get the proper dollar value out of their targets, so fans will trust Friedman’s judgement here if this is on the docket.