On the heels of the Dodgers’ first free-agent signing (not but official) of the offseason — sure, that Shelby Miller — it appeared like a very good time to do a rumor roundup.
Outdoors of the Justin Verlander rumors that seem like getting a little bit louder, the Dodgers have their irons in a whole lot of different fires.
Translated…
“Good morning my folks!!! Glad Sunday!!! TODAY: Xander Bogaerts is essentially the most fascinating SS on the FA market. Amongst these are #Phillies , #RedSox and #Padres . #Dodgers , #Cubs and #Twins are added. The #Cardinals in the meanwhile have solely inquired… We proceed, Constructive and OK.”
Additionally, Jeff Passan stated in his newest column that the Dodgers are among the many groups in Xander Bogaerts. He didn’t elaborate, nevertheless it’s a pure curiosity seeing because the Dodgers are in want of a shortstop and Bogaerts is without doubt one of the finest on the free-agent market.
Bogaerts, 30, is coming off a stable marketing campaign with the Purple Sox. He hit .307/.377/.456 with a 134 wRC+ and a career-best 6.1 fWAR, thanks partially to a big defensive enchancment that will or is probably not sustainable. His energy dipped noticeably, as he had his lowest remoted slugging mark (.149) because the 2017 season (.130). Nevertheless, he was capable of preserve his regular degree of walks and strikeouts, so that you take a look at the bottom ball and fly ball charges and that may be the explanation for the dip. His floor ball charge went up 6.4 share factors from 2021 and his fly ball charge dropped by 5.6 share factors. He additionally noticed his laborious hit charge drop a 4.7 share factors and he had a sub-40 Pull% for the primary (and solely) time since 2015. With how the Dodgers emphasis pull facet and elevating the ball, it’s cheap to suppose he might see his energy return if he have been to signal with LA.
Former Cardinals’ prime prospect Alex Reyes is on the Dodgers’ radar. Admittedly, the curiosity could possibly be impacted by the Miller signing, however somebody along with his arm expertise is at all times going to be of curiosity to the Dodgers.
Reyes, 28, has handled a bevy of arm accidents in his profession. Originially a beginning pitcher, Reyes has made simply seven begins as a Main Leaguer, so he’s strictly a aid choice at this level. He nonetheless sits round 97 MPH along with his fastball and enhances it with a mid-80s slider that had only a .089 batting common in opposition to in 2021. Apart from the accidents, the largest knock on him is his command/management. He has a profession stroll charge of 15.5% in 145 innings. That’s … not nice. With a 30% strikeout charge, it’s a little bit simpler to abdomen the excessive stroll charge, however that’d have to enhance for him to be an actual difference-maker within the bullpen. Regardless of that, Reyes looks as if the right form of man the Dodgers would take a flyer on — it simply stays to be seen when he’ll be prepared for motion and if they will make him match throughout the roster.
Willy Adames is without doubt one of the extra intriuging gamers doubtlessly in the marketplace. Since being traded to the Brewers on Might 21, 2021, Adames, 27, has been a greater hitter than he was in Tampa Bay. With Milwaukee, he has a .256/.325/.483 batting line with a 120 wRC+. With the Rays, he had a .254/.320/.420 mark with a 103 wRC+. It isn’t that a lot of a distinction, however he has positively been a extra harmful hitter with the Brew Crew. And his protection has been above-average as effectively. He completed 2022 with a 9 defensive runs saved and 10 outs above common. He’s two years away from free company and the Brewers are aggressive when buying and selling gamers — particularly early moderately than late. They may deal him, however the acquisition price for the Dodgers can be important. Perhaps not Diego Cartaya important, however Gavin Lux or Bobby Miller headling wouldn’t be out of the query. If the Dodgers can’t land one of many free brokers (Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, Trea Turner), or discover one other commerce choice (Tim Anderson), Adames might make a whole lot of sense.
Carlos Rodon, 30 in 11 days, is a man I needed the Dodgers to land after the lockout final 12 months. That, clearly, didn’t come to fruition. He went to the Giants and he had a career-year — 2.88 ERA, 2.25 FIP, 26.1 Okay-BB%, 6.2 fWAR. He threw 178 premium innings and has set himself up for an enormous payday this winter. He has no scarcity of suitors — Giants, Mets, Rangers, Twins, and so forth. — so if it goes to a bidding battle, I’m undecided the Dodgers outbid some extra pitching-needy groups. They might, nevertheless it isn’t their model. In the event that they don’t land Verlander, perhaps Rodon is plan B (or 1A).
——
The Winter Assembly begin subsequent week in San Diego. It was once a time when a whole lot of offers went down. Now, it has become extra of a groundwork-laying occasion for basbeall operations personnel. There will likely be some offers signed and trades made, however perhaps not as many as in years previous. Nonetheless, the new range will likely be ablaze from now till Spring Coaching begins.