Predicting where each Dodgers free agent will sign this offseason

Tyler Anderson: Signs with Texas Rangers

If there’s one team that has tried so hard to be like the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s the Texas Rangers. It extends past signing Corey Seager, as the Rangers have hired coaches from the Dodgers organization and have brought in lesser names as fliers to see if that Dodgers magic would follow them.

Texas is obviously committed to winning and needs to add some bonafide big-league talent to do so. They might not be players in the premium class of free agents, so they should attack the upper-middle class of free agents, like Tyler Anderson. A slight overpay and no state taxes should sway Anderson to go play in Arlington.

Clayton Kershaw: Re-signs with Dodgers

The Rangers might get one solid southpaw from the Dodgers this winter, but they’re not going to get the greatest Dodger of all time in Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is coming to the end of his career, but proved in 2022 that he still has something left in the tank. Like last offseason, a one-year deal with the Dodgers seems to be what’s in store.

Sure, he could go home and play in Texas, but Los Angeles has been his home for the last 14 years and he very obviously cares about the city, the organization, and the fans. If the Dodgers weren’t a contending team, it would be one thing, but with the World Series still in reach, he’d probably rather give it a go with the best team in the NL rather than a directionless AL West team that has to fight the Astros.

His only three options are re-signing with the Dodgers, signing with the Rangers, or retiring. If it’s not the Rangers and it’s not retirement (which is still possible), it will be the Dodgers.

Trea Turner: Signs with Philadelphia Phillies

The Dodgers will definitely prioritize bringing Trea Turner back, but at the end of the day, the free agent has the last say. And if Turner wants to go play on the East Coast for the same amount of money, then that’s what he’s probably going to do.

The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a National League Pennant. After falling short in the World Series, they’re definitely going to spend (and have the money to do so). They’ve been named as an early suitor for Turner. Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, especially when Dave Dombrowski is involved.

Philadelphia needs an upgrade at shortstop. Of all the options that are on the market, Turner probably makes the most sense for them. They could use a right-handed bat toward the top of the order, giving the team a true speed option to lead off or even hit second behind Kyle Schwarber.

It’s a pretty easy sell for Turner, too, as he can go east, get paid a lot of money, and would be part of one of the best lineups in baseball.

As for the Dodgers, fans would have to hope that they either replace Turner with one of the marquee shortstops on the market or even bring in the white whale in Aaron Judge.

Worst big-time free agent shortstop choice for the 2023 Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers would be making the worst choice in the primetime shortstop market if they targeted Xander Bogaerts.