Winter is Coming

By: Peyton Schultze

The Indians have reportedly tried to trade starting pitcher, Corey Kluber, to the Dodgers in potential deals involving OFs Alex Verdugo or Yasiel Puig.

Taking place at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the MLB Winter Meetings are officially underway. As an annual place for all 30 teams to communicate with one another and talk with free agents on the open market, the 2018 Winter Meetings hope to heat up the stove that has been so cold so far this offseason. With high end players such as Manny Machado and Bryce Harper available as free agents, as well as trade targets from potentially rebuilding teams, this offseason is sure to heat up very quickly. As the Dodgers turn the corner into 2019 looking to capture their first championship since 1988, expect Andrew Friedman and company to attempt to make several signings and trades to improve and fill the holes on the Dodgers’ current roster. With that being said, here are the trade targets and free agents available that could potentially shift the tide of the offseason going into the 2019 regular season for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

SPs Corey Kluber/Trevor Bauer

The Indians have made it very clear that they are looking at trading one of their two top starting pitchers, including former All-Stars in Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer.

After inking starting pitcher, Carlos Carrasco, to an extension through the 2023 season, the Indians have made it very clear to teams around the league that they are looking towards trading one of their two top pitchers in Kluber and/or Bauer. Coming off a season in which both players were AL All-Stars, they figure to be a very hot commodity for teams around the league. In the case of Kluber, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic has reported that the Dodgers have been one of the teams most interested in the veteran right hander in packages involving Alex Verdugo and/or Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers probably are more willing to trade the former, Verdugo, as they possess a logjam of major league outfielders and due to the success over the last two seasons at the plate and in the postseason from Puig. As for Kluber, he posted an ERA of 2.89 with 222 total strikeouts in 2018. He struggled in his one postseason outing in 2018 against the Houston Astros (4 2/3 innings, 4 ER), but he would still certainly be a welcome addition to any ball club for the upcoming season. As for Bauer, fewer rumors have come from his camp about potential whereabouts for the next season or possible landing spots. However, Bauer actually topped the performance of Kluber in 2018, with an exceptional ERA of 2.21 in 175 1/3 innings. Bauer, a still-young right hander that was developed in the farm system of Cleveland, could very well be an interesting trade candidate for a team like the Dodgers, who are seeking to add a right-handed starter to help the solid rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Rich Hill. However, due to his age and his increased performance each year, it seems as if the Indians would need a bigger package for the right-handed Bauer in order to make a deal.

Prediction: Kluber to the Dodgers for Verdugo and Several Prospects; Bauer Stays with Cleveland

2B DJ LeMahieu

DJ LeMahieu, one of the better fielders in the MLB, is a potential free agent linked to the Dodgers.

A member of the Colorado Rockies for each of the past 7 seasons, one of the best fielders in the league enters the pool of free agents in second baseman, DJ LeMahieu. A three-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star, the sure-handed LeMahieu is surely one of the better second baseman round the league. Thus far in his career, he is an exceptional .298 hitter with an OBP of .350. As reported by Jon Morosi of MLB Network and Fox Sports, the Oakland A’s and Dodgers have been the teams most interested in the right-handed second baseman. For the Dodgers, LeMahieu would be a solid addition to a lineup without a true leadoff hitter. Over the course of his career, LeMahieu has been a great contact hitter for the Rockies with a knack for having limited strikeouts. In addition to removing him from the roster of their top NL West opponent over the last two seasons in Colorado, LeMahieu would slip right into the Dodgers’ leadoff spot on a daily basis and fill the hole at second base with the departures of Chase Utley and Brian Dozier. It will be interesting to see how LeMahieu’s market develops over the course of the offseason, but the amount of interested teams is surely to increase over the course of the next few weeks.

Prediction: LeMahieu to the Dodgers on a Three-Year Deal

C Francisco Cervelli

A solid performer over the past 4 years for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Francisco Cervelli is a possible trade candidate to help the Dodgers at catcher.

It is unsure how much interest the Dodgers have in certain catchers around the league, but they currently have a large hole at the catcher position. Under team control for next year is Austin Barnes, a solid backup catcher, but nothing more. As inconsistent, yet powerful catcher, Yasmani Grandal, is expected to walk in free agency, the Dodgers will not have a starting catcher to go along with Barnes in the 2019 regular season. One major and useful option for the Dodgers could be Francisco Cervelli of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the right-handed catcher who has been a Pirate for the last 4 seasons. A solid. 273 hitter over the course of his career, Cervelli could be a nice veteran option to fill the gap for the next season. The Dodgers currently possess two young and promising catchers in their minor league system in Keibert Ruiz and Will Smith, so a stopgap catcher would be very ideal for the future of the Dodgers. In addition, Cervelli has been a solid major leaguer over his career and would provide a solid offensive and defensive boost to a team where the catcher position was a major flaw down the stretch and during their postseason run. Look for the Dodgers to inquire Pittsburgh on the availability of Cervelli during the Winter Meetings and possibly reach a deal to trade for the veteran catcher.

Prediction: Cervelli to the Dodgers for Prospects TBD

SPs Noah Syndergaard/Jacob deGrom/Zack Wheeler

Mets’ pitchers, such as star, Noah Syndergaard, always seem to be on the trade market for a franchise constantly in flux.

After acquiring Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners just one week ago, the current state of the Mets is very confusing and up for debate. However, as usual for every offseason in regard to the New York Mets, the starting pitchers for the Mets could potentially be on the trading block. The ultimate prize of this group would be All-Star pitcher and 2018 NL Cy Young Award winner, Jacob deGrom. Coming off of one of the best regular seasons for a starting pitcher in recent years (1.70 ERA, 269 strikeouts), deGrom would be one of the premier players available if he was declared to be on the trading block by the Mets. There would be a very large price for the right arm of deGrom, truly one of the top five pitchers in baseball, and it will be interesting to see which direction the Mets go in this offseason to decide if deGrom stays in New York City or is traded to another team in need. However, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler are also possible trade candidates that could be involved in discussions within the coming weeks. While Wheeler is a solid #3 pitcher for almost any rotation, Syndergaard carries a little more star power with his flamethrower of a right arm and emergence onto the scene of Major league Baseball several years ago. While he is a major injury risk, there will be several teams interested in him, as is with every year involving Mets’ pitchers, if he is available. Look for contenders in need of a solid starting pitcher capable of pitching in the postseason, such as the Yankees, Dodgers, and Rockies, to be interested in the services of one of the Mets’ starters if made available on the block in the coming weeks.

Prediction: deGrom and Wheeler Stay with the Mets; Syndergaard to the Yankees

RF Bryce Harper

One of the few pure superstars in Major League Baseball, Bryce Harper will look for a huge payday this offseason from many interested teams.

Here it is. In addition to former Oriole and Dodger, Manny Machado, the biggest fish in the 2018 MLB free agency class is certainly Bryce Harper. The former Rookie of the Year, 6-time All-Star, and 2015 NL MVP, Harper figures to reach a payday of anywhere in between $250-$300 million from one of the many interested teams. Although Harper struggled throughout a rough season with the Washington Nationals in 2018, Harper was still able to showcase his star power with a Home Run Derby win in July and by finishing the season strong with a .300 average in the second half in 223 plate appearances. Among all of the interested teams are the Dodgers, even without a true need in the outfield. In fact, according to Tim Brown and Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, part-owner of the Dodgers and current Lakers’ president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, recently traveled to Harper’s hometown of Las Vegas to meet with the star and recruit him to Los Angeles. Although it was later denied, it will be interesting to see how aggressive the Dodgers approach the otherworldly Harper and how much they are willing to spend for his services. Teams such as the Giants, Cubs, Phillies, Yankees, Astros, Rockies, and White Sox have already been linked or reported to have interest in the right fielder and it will be key to see if Harper gets around $300 million as he desires, much to the satisfaction of his agent, Scott Boras. Harper will provide a gigantic offensive boost based off his impressive resume in his still-young career and hopes to potentially become the richest player in the league this offseason.

Prediction: Harper to the White Sox on a 10-Year Deal

IF/OF Marwin González

As a primary starter and utility player for the Houston Astros, Marwin González has been a revelation on both sides of the field.

A Swiss Army knife for the Houston Astros since 2012, Marwin González is certainly one of the more underrated free agents in this year’s class. González was a major factor in the Astros’ 2017 World Series championship run, even shifting the tide of the 2017 World Series in Game 2 with a game-tying home run off of Dodgers’ closer, Kenley Jansen. González is another free agent who figures to have a surplus of suitors due to his versatility and consistent hitting production. In addition, González can also play almost any position, which serves a valuable role in the modern version of the MLB with a lot of platoon play and changes during games. With that being said, it is easy to see why the Dodgers could possibly be interested. However, while manager, Dave Roberts, certainly loves to use his fair share of platoons and players that can play everywhere, the Dodgers already possess several of those types of players in Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández. Teams can really never have enough of those types of players, so it will be interesting to see if the Dodgers’ front office makes a run at signing González.

Prediction: González to the A’s on a 2-Year Deal

C JT Realmuto

Premier catcher, JT Realmuto, is one of the most desirable trade targets in the league this winter.

An All-Star in 2018, JT Realmuto is being made available from the Miami Marlins this offseason. One of the best offensive catchers in the league, along with being solid behind the plate, Realmuto figures to be one of the hottest names on the market this winter, in which contenders will be calling. However, in the Dodgers case, it may take upon a heavy toll if Realmuto is to head to LA. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Marlins would be interested in Cody Bellinger and prospects to have any chance to send Realmuto to the Dodgers. It is unclear if the Dodgers would be willing, but they have said that they are looking towards moving some of their outfielders such as Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, and Bellinger, so the Boys in Blue may have more interest in making a deal than originally thought. Other teams have reportedly been in contact with the Marlins for a deal involving Realmuto (Angels, Rangers, Rockies, A’s), so it remains to be seen if Miami makes a deal to send the elite, 27 year-old catcher to a new destination for the 2019 regular season.

Prediction: Realmuto to the Rockies

Relievers (Kelly, Britton, Robertson)

Relief pitchers such as Joe Kelly are a must-need for the Dodgers this offseason.

While the market for relief pitchers is not as high as other positions, there are several solid options available this offseason to bolster the back end of the Dodgers’ bullpen. The biggest catch of this class is All-Star, Craig Kimbrel, but he is extremely unlikely to take a role in any situation where he is not the full-time closer. As the Dodgers already have Kenley Jansen, they will be looking towards a solid setup man to help guide them throughout the season and hold onto late leads. One option could be going for cheaper relievers with solid postseason resumes. Joe Kelly dominated the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series with a mix of dominant fastballs and wicked curveballs. Although the former Red Sox was very inconsistent, his play down the stretch was very solid and could be intriguing for the Dodgers. Another solid option similar to Kelly could be David Robertson, formerly of the Yankees. A solid right-hander out of the ‘pen with good numbers in the postseason, Robertson could help an inconsistent bullpen for the Dodgers. The Dodgers could also go towards the more expensive route by trying to sign All-Star closer, Zach Britton. Britton, who played last year with the Orioles and Yankees, would help solidify the Dodger bullpen by essentially giving them two dominant closers that could both finish games on any given day. While Britton will certainly be more expensive, it will be interesting to see if the Dodgers are interested in a Britton/Jansen combo in the back end of the bullpen that would be able to shut down games late.

Prediction: Kelly to the Dodgers; Britton to the Braves; Robertson to the Red Sox

SS/3B Manny Machado

The controversial Dodger, Manny Machado, is expected to be a huge potential option for big-market teams.

After a wild postseason run for the Dodgers featuring huge home runs, foolish comments in the media, and some questionable choices on the diamond, Manny Machado enters the open market as one of the premier players in baseball. Although Machado’s antics have reportedly hurt his value on the market, it will not be a shock whatsoever to see if a team in need of an elite infielder will make a strong push towards signing Manny. While Machado is not expected to be offered a contract from the Dodgers this offseason, Andrew Friedman and Co. should watch the situation for Machado in case SS, Corey Seager, has a setback in his rehab from elbow and hip surgeries. While this is not expected, the Dodgers may monitor the Manny situation in case he does not sign with a team within the next few weeks. Although it has been rumored that he has received interest from several contenders, teams such as the White Sox and Phillies have shown the most interest in the services of the outstanding shortstop in the prime of his career. However, with a player of his talents, expect several dark-horse teams such as the Cubs, Angels, and Cardinals to enter the Machado sweepstakes to try to make a strong play at him and offer him a contract he cannot refuse.

Prediction: Machado to the Angels on a 9-Year Deal