Dodgers News: Tommy Kahnle leaves, Clayton Kershaw contract, Trea Turner aftermath

It’s been a quiet offseason thus far for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but there’s plenty going on around them. Fans are still waiting for the “big move” to come … but it might take a little while, since it seems like Andrew Friedman and the front office are being strategic in their approach.

In somewhat encouraging buzz, the Dodgers have been linked to both Carlos Correa and Aaron Judge. Will either of those signings happen? It certainly feels unlikely, but as long as there’s speculation involving the Dodgers, it’s hard to rule anything out. They’ve taken just about everyone by surprise in recent years.

Could there be a blockbuster trade in the works? Or could we just be sitting here waiting for minimal changes as the Dodgers gear up for the transaction of all transactions next offseason?

It’s anyone’s guess at this point. But there’s no doubt the Dodgers need to address some voids left by departing players. Their lone moves thus far of retaining Clayton Kershaw and signing Shelby Miller aren’t close to “enough.”

Let’s dive into some Dodgers-centric news, as well as general MLB news to see how the reigning NL West champs are affected at this point in the offseason.

Dodgers news roundup during busy Winter Meetings

• Trea Turner signed an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Bummer. But he rejected $342 million from the San Diego Padres! A win for LA nonetheless.
• Clayton Kershaw’s contract became official on Monday. The future Hall of Famer will receive a total of $20 million for the 2023 season, including a $5 million signing bonus.
• Tommy Kahnle departed for the New York Yankees and signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract after pitching just 12.2 innings in two years for the Dodgers. LA was hoping to get at least a year out of the right-hander following his Tommy John surgery, but they didn’t get much, and now he’s on track for that bounce-back season Friedman thought he was paying for when he gave Kahnle $4.75 million back in 2020.
• Chris Martin also departed for the Boston Red Sox for a two-year, $17.5 million contract. The AL East is pillaging the Dodgers’ bullpen. Some figured the Dodgers would pay that price for Martin after his stellar emergence, but it seems there are other plans in store for the pitching staff.
• Andrew Heaney has reportedly signed with the Texas Rangers.
• The Dodgers are rumored to be interested in veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who played with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022. The former MVP was just about an average MLBer last season, so he’d be a nice option off the bench and a good mentor for the younger players on this roster.
• The Marlins are rumored to be interested in Justin Turner, who is expected to hang around and let the offseason play itself out. Don’t count on something happening soon with the Dodgers legend.

MLB news that affects the Los Angeles Dodgers

• THE GIANTS DIDN’T SIGN AARON JUDGE! HAHA!
• Judge re-signed with the Yankees for nine years and $360 million.
• The Guardians signed Josh Bell to a two-year contract and swiped him from the Padres. Another L for San Diego!
• The Yankees will reportedly meet with Brandon Nimmo, who was previously believed to be a Dodgers target.
• The Cubs have met with Carlos Correa at the Winter Meetings, per reports. Bob Nightengale said the Dodgers were the “leading candidate” to sign the former Astro and Twin over the weekend.
• The Cubs and Astros are reportedly among the teams bidding for Athletics catcher Sean Murphy in a trade.
• The White Sox are reportedly discussing trade scenarios for closer Liam Hendriks. Could the Dodgers pounce there, with a need in the bullpen and prior dealings with Chicago?

The Winter Meetings conclude later on Wednesday, so be sure to return to Dodgers Way for the latest!

4 big moves at Winter Meetings Dodgers fans should be anticipating

The Los Angeles Dodgers are always busy during the Winter Meetings and fans should be anticipating these 4 big moves to happen this year.