Dodgers Rumors: Blue Jays, Red Sox interested in signing former LA trade acquisition

This offseason has been one of change for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and only one of their trade deadline acquisitions from 2023 made the cut. Joe Kelly, after having his team option rejected, re-signed on a one-year deal.

Lance Lynn signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after the Dodgers wasted no time rejecting his team option. Amed Rosario remains the odd man out, floating around in free agency without a home after his disappointing 2023 season that saw him left off the NLDS roster.

Once upon a time, Rosario was supposed to headline this year's class of free agent shortstops. But baseball is a "what have you done for me lately" kind of sport, so when he declined on both sides of the ball (his batting average dropped 20 points and his defense at shortstop suffered, which influenced his move to second base in LA), his market cratered.

Rosario was never an elite talent, but he had a solid glove and could hit for average with decent pop and speed. There's always demand for that kind of player, but there's a fine line. That type of player profile is much less forgiving than that of a three-true-outcome slugger. Just the way it is.

Entering his age-28 season, Rosario will likely be seeking a one-year bounce-back deal to rebuild his value. And according to reports, the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are interested in him.

Dodgers Rumors: Blue Jays, Red Sox interested in signing former LA trade acquisition

When Rosario arrived in LA, he lit the city on fire. He was making sterling defensive plays and driving in runs like he had never endured a slump. But it all faded fast. He finished August with a .197 batting average and .634 OPS despite a fiery start to the month.

He was more of a part-time player in September as a result, receiving 22 fewer plate appearances (but with somewhat better results in his average and OPS). Still, that wasn't enough to sway the Dodgers to bring him aboard for the playoffs despite a depleted roster.

There's no need for him in LA come 2024 with all of Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Miguel Rojas, Miguel Vargas, Michael Busch and Chris Taylor crowding the infield picture to varying degrees at the moment, but there's no doubt he has room to make an impact in Toronto or Boston.

The Red Sox, for one, love poaching Dodgers players (and vice versa). It's a weird thing we can't seem to explain. It just happens. Plus, Boston needs infield depth, and Rosario would actually have a lane to create everyday playing time for himself.

In Toronto, the Jays signaled they're letting Whit Merrifield go when they signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa. They have an underwhelming infield picture, however, and Rosario could make a similar impact as well as benefit from being surrounded by a number of offensive forces like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer.

Whatever happens with Rosario, we'll always remember those first two weeks in LA.