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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on August 25, 2022 in New York City. New York Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on August 25, 2022 in New York City. New York Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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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

Carlos Rodon #16 of the San Francisco Giants (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Carlos Rodon #16 of the San Francisco Giants (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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.

Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /

3. Xander Bogaerts

Dodgers fans … whether you think so or not, Trea Turner is not a lock to return to LA. Forget about the “reports” about him preferring an east coast team or one that holds spring training in Florida. Turner is about to be the most valuable shortstop in free agency alongside Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson and likely Xander Bogaerts. This is a prime opportunity to collect every last penny.

In the event he does leave (though we’re hoping he doesn’t!), Bogaerts immediately comes to mind as an option that could be of interest to LA. He can opt into the final three years and $60 million of his deal with the Red Sox, but given the way the organization has treated him when it comes to extension talks as well as the comments he’s made about it, fans don’t see that happening.

Plus, many would venture to say he’s worth more than $20 million per season. He’ll also be entering his age-30 campaign with one, big final payday ahead of him. He won’t command as much as Turner or potentially Swanson (who’s the superior defender out of everyone), so the Dodgers could get a high-profile, household option for cheaper. Not only that, but say the Dodgers want to move Gavin Lux to shortstop full-time, they could perhaps discuss second base with Bogaerts, who might be open to the idea if he’s joining a steadfast contender that pays its star players accordingly.

Are we endorsing this? Not exactly. But Bogaerts is a former teammate of Mookie Betts and could fill what ends up being a massive vacancy in the middle infield if (when) he opts out. Just sayin’.

Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

2. Justin Verlander

Is Justin Verlander ever going to decline (again)? Before he hit the IL with a calf issue, the right-hander was absolutely carving with these numbers: 16-3, 1.84 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 208 ERA+, 2.72 FIP, and 154 strikeouts in 24 starts (152 innings) … in his FIRST season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The 39-year-old is pitching like his vintage, MVP self, and it’s hard to believe he’ll opt into his $25 million player option for 2023. At this point, someone might give him a Max Scherzer-esque multi-year contract that pays him $35 million or more. Wouldn’t you?

If Kershaw leaves, this might be the best veteran replacement who has the requisite postseason/spotlight experience, since Verlander’s been to four World Series and has won an MVP, two Cy Youngs and Rookie of the Year. Turns out he’s getting better with age and might win another Cy Young in 2022.

Whatever the price, the Dodgers might not even care because it won’t be a deal in excess of three seasons, which still aligns with Betts’, Chris Taylor’s and Freddie Freeman’s tenures in LA. Though Verlander was on the 2017 cheating Astros squad, it’s hard to imagine Dodgers fans not welcoming one of the best pitchers in history with open arms.

Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

1. Jacob deGrom

This would be … insane. Likely? No. Mets owner Steve Cohen is probably going to back up a dump truck full of cash into Jacob deGrom’s living room if the right-hander opts out. He has the resources to do so.

But you never know.

The 34-year-old is under a bargain deal thanks to the previous Mets regime and may want to truly explore free agency for the first time in his career when he opts out (many insiders believe he will because somebody will give him more).

Despite injury troubles the last two years, DeGrom has a sub 2.00 ERA and 0.55 WHIP in his last 20 starts. The Mets could be barreling toward something special this year, which will further increase deGrom’s value if he strings together some dominant postseason outings.

Does he have any reason to be overly loyal to the Mets, who, up until this year, have largely failed to give him run support from 2014-2021? Max Scherzer left LA to go to the Mets. Why wouldn’t deGrom leave the Mets to go to LA for the money and championship pedigree?

We’re not just making this up, either. This week, SNY’s Andy Martino reported that deGrom “could tempt another team to offer a contract above what the Mets consider rational.” Are the Dodgers willing to be irrational? They kind of were with Trevor Bauer! Why wouldn’t they be with one of the most dominant pitchers in history?

The Dodgers have made themselves extremely financially flexible for the foreseeable future, so they could afford to go a little wild in a deGrom pursuit. And that could change everything for their free agency plans, since the starting pitching market was expected to be weak prior to these player opt-outs coming into focus.

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