Dodgers get new beat writer from NL rival in unexpected offseason twist

The Los Angeles Dodgers' first major addition of the offseason, surprisingly, has nothing to do with their roster. With the Winter Meetings next week, the Dodgers likely will resume their agenda to "ruin baseball" while prepping for a third consecutive World Series title, but they have gained a new beat writer from an unexpected National League team this week.

In the first offseason under Chain Bloom, the St. Louis Cardinals are going through a reset. The Cardinals have already traded Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox, and could move All-Stars Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan as early as next week. Of course, they are also begging for a team to take aging third baseman Nolan Arenado off their hands.

The Cardinals will certainly have a busy offseason, but The Athletic's Katie Woo will now be watching from afar. Woo has been a household name for Cardinals' coverage over the last five seasons, and her work at The Athletic has seen her ascent toward being one of baseball's most prominent reporters.

Dodgers' first notable offseason addition is reporter Katie Woo

The last three seasons of Woo's five-year run in St. Louis have seen the Cardinals miss the playoffs, which makes her rise that much more impressive. In her farewell to the Cardinals' beat for The Athletic (subscription required), Woo announced that she will be shifting over to the Dodgers' beat. For those curious, Fabian Ardaya will be continuing his work on the Dodgers' beat for The Athletic.

A California native, covering the Dodgers will represent a homecoming for Woo, who had a message for her new fanbase.

"Dodger fans, I’m excited to get to know you, and for the opportunity to cover the most powerful team in the sport (just don’t ask me what team I grew up rooting for). There is something exhilarating about starting somewhere new: The challenges, the relationships, and most importantly, the stories."

The true work has yet to get started for the two-time World Series champions this winter, with needs across their pitching staff as well as in the outfield. Free agents Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker have been connected to the Dodgers in the early weeks of the offseason, and they are also expected to explore the trade market.

Woo will now be at the center of that coverage, and she'll be getting to work quickly as the action is already picking up. The Dodgers brought back Miguel Rojas on Wednesday night, and we can expect a lot more over the next week.