5 Dodgers facing uncertain futures heading into 2023 season

Julio Urías

Some fans thought the Dodgers, who opted not to immerse themselves in the top end of the free agent market this offseason, would've at least used some of that free time to sign Julio Urías to a contract extension.

But Urías is a client of Scott Boras, which makes things that much more difficult. As it stands, the left-hander will enter a contract year in 2023 after winning the ERA title in 2022 and finishing third in the NL Cy Young voting. One more campaign of that caliber is going to get him a $200+ million contract.

Urías could end up being the second-most expensive free agent (right behind Shohei Ohtani) in next year's class. If the Dodgers are serious about an Ohtani pursuit, can they afford both? If Ohtani will require a high-stakes bidding war with Mets owner Steve Cohen, will the Dodgers risk taking their eye off that prize by engaging in another competitive market for Urías?

Urías is not taking a discount. And even if he has a subpar season, Boras will more than likely do his best to take the left-hander elsewhere for a sizable one-year market-reset contract like he's done with so many of his other clients.

Can't say this is a favorable situation for LA, unless the front office is willing to write multiple blank checks.