4 big-name free agents the Dodgers must avoid at all costs

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off of a much earlier exit in the 2022 MLB playoffs than expected and, as a result, fans might see the team take a bold approach this offseason. Los Angeles certainly has the means to do so with $111 million in projected luxury tax space.

Andrew Friedman and the front office first have to prioritize which free agents to bring back and which the team should let walk. LA has already made some of those decisions, deciding to decline the club options for Hanser Alberto, Jimmy Nelson and Danny Duffy.

The Dodgers are going to be in the mix for just about every big name on the free-agent market this winter, but it’s important the team spends shrewdly. There are certain free agents that simply shouldn’t be brought into Chavez Ravine for 2023 and beyond.

Bringing in Trevor Bauer for $35 million per year is the limitation of egregious mistakes fans can handle. Spending high on a player with performance, character or injury issues cannot happen.

Here are 4 free agents the Dodgers should avoid this offseason

4. Jacob deGrom

Jacob deGrom’s market is going to be very interesting to watch this offseason as he’s one of the biggest names in the sport but has lost some of the shine that was on his name last summer when he was putting together one of the best seasons in MLB history.

deGrom opted out of his contract with the Mets and is definitely going to have a list of suitors that are willing to pay him the big bucks. Regardless of how long that list is, the Dodgers should not be involved whatsoever.

deGrom is elite when he’s at his best, but the injury concerns are not worth the insane asking price for the hard-throwing right-hander. The 34-year-old (who is only two months younger than Clayton Kershaw despite everyone thinking Kershaw is ancient at this point) has thrown just a combined 156.1 innings over the last two seasons.

It wasn’t like he was his dominant self in 2022, either. deGrom posted a 3.08 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 2022. Still really great numbers, but his HR/9 rose to 1.3 and he made only 11 starts.

Instead of deGrom, the Dodgers are much better off pursuing someone like Carlos Rodon.

3. Carlos Correa

Some fans might not care if Carlos Correa were to sign with the team and put on the Dodger blue for 2022 and beyond. Some fans just want the team to put together the best lineup possible and look past Correa’s history with the Dodgers.

Most of the fanbase will not share that sentiment. It’s clear that Dodgers fans are still bitter about the 2017 World Series and the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal, as evidenced by the fact that Correa gets profusely booed every time he comes back to LA.

That hasn’t stopped Correa from at least being linked to the Dodgers, but at this rate, the Dodgers are going to be linked to all of the prominent shortstops as they look to re-sign Trea Turner or replace him in the lineup.

The best-case scenario would be to just re-sign Turner. But if that does not happen, there are other options that are also talented and wouldn’t be controversial for fans to root for. Xander Bogaerts would be exceptional in LA and would continue the trend of the Dodgers taking the Red Sox best players because they don’t want to pay them.

At the end of the day, fans would eventually have to come around to Correa if he were to sign with the Dodgers, but it would be incredibly awkward at first. The front office should do us all a favor and keep that situation from happening, though.

2. Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman’s New York Yankees tenure came to a staggering end when he essentially ghosted them and was kept off the playoff roster as a result. It’s pretty clear that Chapman isn’t going to put the pinstripes back on as he will play for his fourth career team in 2023.

The Dodgers have been interested in Chapman before. They nearly traded for him before he was originally sent to the Yankees (the first time, before he was traded to the Cubs and then came back to New York).

The trade was axed after a reported incident that eventually led to Chapman getting suspended for 30 games as part of MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy. No charges were filed.

While that alone is enough of a reason for the Dodgers to stay away from someone they had a previous interest in, his performance on the field should be the icing on the cake. Chapman was really bad last season and fully lost his fastball.

Los Angeles might be known for bringing in big-name relievers, like Blake Treinen, and restoring them close to the best version of themselves. While they could consider doing the same with Chapman, they ultimately should stay away.