3 remaining free agents that can fill massive hole in Dodgers' outfield

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have not had the splashy offseason that other big-market teams did this winter. Instead, this offseason has been quite the opposite as fans have seen several of their favorites leave Los Angeles and find new homes elsewhere.

With Trevor Bauer's suspension appeal looming over the team with potential luxury tax ramifications, the Dodgers have been cautious with their spending this winter. Not only does the team seemingly want to avoid having to pay a massive tax if Bauer wins his appeal, but there's also the added benefit of resetting the tax penalty if they stay under $233 million.

The Dodgers roster is mostly complete at this point with several top prospects slated to get a role next season. Most notably, James Outman is likely going to be the Cody Bellinger replacement and might actually be better,

While Outman can fill the void in center, there is still a pretty sizeable void in left field. Trayce Thompson was a great story and all last season but the Dodgers would be silly to rely on a journeyman with a 36% strikeout rate to be the main option in left.

Here are 3 remaining free-agent outfielders that the Dodgers could still sign

3. Michael Conforto

This is probably the least likely of the bunch because of the already-mentioned luxury tax dynamic. Conforto did not play at all in 2022 because of a shoulder injury but still has value as a great left-handed bat. He was not fantastic in 2021, but when he's right, Conforto is a dynamic presence in the middle of the order.

This is a classic situation where a player is going to take a one-year prove-it deal, and when that happens the salary tends to be a bit higher than if it was a stretched-out multi-year deal.Spotrac estimates Conforto's market value at $20.7 million, and that's probably right in the range of what he will get.

Are the Dodgers willing to pay $20 million and hope for Conforto to reach his ceiling? Perhaps not, as they just let Cody Bellinger go. However, Conforto also has a much higher floor than Bellinger does, so it wouldn't be totally shocking if LA ponies up for Conforto after letting Bellinger walk for nothing.

2. Jurickson Profar

The San Diego Padres have been extremely bold yet again this offseason, and with all the additions the team has made it doesn't seem likely that Jurickson Profar will return. If that's the case, the Dodgers may take a chance on a player they are very familiar with who's a former top prospect.

If there's one thing that Andrew Friedman loves it's bringing in players who might not have reached their ceiling yet and aiding them into doing so. Profar has definitely been a solid big-league player, but there were far higher expectations for him in previous seasons. The Dodgers may take a bet on that pedigree knowing that the floor is still high.

Profar would instantly slot into left field and would add much-needed balance to the lineup. Even after signing J.D. Martinez, the Dodgers need someone who can hit left-handed pitching, and the switch-hitting Profar has been better in his career against southpaws. Last season, he slashed .259/.352/.382 against left-handed pitching. Not elite, but still solid.

It's unclear what kind of market Profar has. The fact that he hasn't signed already cannot be a good sign, and his projections seem way off. Spotrac projected him to get a six-year, $89 million contract, and at this point that seems very unlikely for the 29-year-old.

Would the Dodgers be willing to commit to 5-6 years of Profar? Probably not. But if his market has dissolved and he becomes a reasonable candidate for a one-year prove-it deal, then he would be a great fit in LA.

1. AJ Pollock

This just feels like the perfect kind of move that Friedman would make, doesn't it? The Dodgers should have never traded AJ Pollock in the first place last season, as they dealt him for an over-the-hill, expensive closer who was already showing warning signs of serious decline.

Now, the Dodgers have a chance to right that wrong and bring Pollock back to Los Angeles. Those looking at his numbers from last season might not be excited about a reunion. He was admittedly bad last season (.245/.292/.389), but he was also battling injuries and was not protected in the White Sox lineup (instead surrounded by regressing hitters).

The fact that Pollock is coming off a disappointing season in Chicago is a good thing for the Dodgers -- his market value undoubtedly took a hit. At 35 years old, he's absolutely a candidate for a one-year deal at an affordable price for the Dodgers. A one-year, $8-10 million contract is likely what Pollock will receive.

Bringing back Pollock to play left field, even if it's not every day, not only strengthens the Dodgers lineup but significantly helps the depth as well. Against lefties, you can throw Pollock out there knowing that the team has someone who hits righties better in Trayce Thompson on the bench. Against righties, Thompson can get more chances as long as he continues to produce.

Pollock was really good in his last season with the Dodgers and it's difficult to imagine that level of production completely disappearing. Regression happens in baseball and it can happen fast, but Pollock can still be far better than he was last year for the White Sox.

And, at the very least, you get a veteran clubhouse leader that can be an over-qualified specialist against left-handed pitching.

MUST READ: 3 former Dodgers players LA can reunite with in free agency

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Here are 3 remaining free-agent outfielders that the Dodgers could still sign

3. Michael Conforto

2. Jurickson Profar

1. AJ Pollock

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