Dodgers News: Jacob deGrom, free agent pitching market, Scott Boras
Wow. What a whirlwind Thanksgiving weekend of baseball hot stove news. Without a Monday morning explainer, it might be impossible for any reader to keep up — ok, egg on our faces. NOTHING HAPPENED.
Now, it’s time for a post-holiday reset before the other holiday. There’s still ample opportunity for Santa to deliver Dodgers fans some pretty impressive presents, even if Ronald the Gobbling Turkey Fairy couldn’t quite sneak his waddle down the chimney and just decided to give up and go home.
Ken Rosenthal’s column for The Athletic that dropped Monday morning (subscription required) helped clarify the market a little, and put into words the general vibe Dodgers fans have likely held for a bit: either Jacob deGrom or Justin Verlander would look excellent atop the rotation, and Andrew Friedman is more likely than ever to exit the offseason with his preference in tow.
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- According to Rosenthal, the Rangers — once thought of as the Mets’ primary competition for deGrom — are more confident they’ll land Carlos Rodón or Kodai Senga. That leaves the Dodgers prime to swoop in with the short-term, high-dollar offer of both parties’ dreams, a strategy that makes more sense for the injury-prone pitcher than it ever did for Aaron Judge.
- Rosenthal also dropped a reminder that the Dodgers haven’t signed a Scott Boras client to a multi-year deal since Hyun-Jin Ryu in 2012. Bad news for a Dodgers-Carlos Correa/Brandon Nimmo pursuit, and even worse news for Julio Urías extension talks.
- Dodgers’ co-hitting coach Brant Brown may take the solo hitting coach position in Miami; the Marlins are targeting him for their vacancy.
MLB News
- Don’t rule out the San Diego Padres for Senga — or Xander Bogaerts. They let disappointing starter Mike Clevinger go to the White Sox Sunday, which might take 3-4 wins off the Dodgers’ board in the rivalry series next year. Sad to see him go.
- Bryce Harper of the Phillies will have Tommy John surgery, and may not return to Philadelphia’s lineup before June. Of course, October is all that really matters, but 2022’s upstart Phils are less likely to make the dance now and get in the Dodgers’ way.
- Aaron Judge enjoyed a nice family Thanksgiving meal on the West Coast. It was a very intimate gathering with only essential guests: his wife Samantha, his parents Patty and Wayne, superstar Giants slugger Barry Bonds, Warriors sharpshooter Steph Curry, and Jimmy Fallon.