Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Almost a couple weeks have passed since the last rumor post for the off-season, but quite frankly not a ton has changed yet for the Dodgers despite the Winter Meetings coming and going.
=====
Everything quiet on the Shohei Ohtani front, right guys? Right?
Oh, except for Dave Roberts ruining everything or whatever.
Dave Roberts confirmed #Dodgers met with Shohei Ohtani at Dodger Stadium.
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) December 6, 2023
Be sure to tune-in at 6 PM for more from Doc and the Winter Meetings on SNLA. ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/ZE3knPc3dG
Somehow the voice of reason in all this is Dylan Hernandez of all people.
Kinda shook by the author of this, lol. https://t.co/5L6ITRbgjs
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) December 7, 2023
I basically agree, it’s much ado about nothing in the end.
And once again, I reiterate that people from across the spectrum of views on his free agency should just chill out and stop pretending they know literally anything.
After browsing through the last 24 hours on here, people should really try it. Yeesh. https://t.co/lOKfFxyjKm
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) December 6, 2023
Dunno, this case feels different from other free agents because I don’t think anybody is in the know. Thus … just wait.
——
As far as the other big prize from Japan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers are reportedly one of the seven finalists for him.
Seven teams, including five known clubs, have emerged as serious suitors for Yamamoto, league sources said. In no particular order, the list is believed to include the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and the Mets, plus two more unidentified clubs.
Based on reports I’ve been reading so far, it sure seems like the two New York teams are getting the most buzz. If the Dodgers miss out on him, then Shota Imanaga has to be on their list.
——
So those two are obvious fits on every team, but what about the rest? Well, obviously the Dodgers are pursuing every available starter.
As far as trades go, the Dodgers are reportedly among the teams interested in Tyler Glasnow.
Interest in Glasnow has been strong, with at least half of the teams checking in; the Cubs, Braves and Dodgers are among the notable ones, and some AL East teams also inquired.
When healthy, Glasnow would obviously be welcome, but considering the cost in players it might take to get him and the fact that he’s yet another huge injury risk when the Dodgers already have a staff full of similar pitchers, I’m not sure he’s the best fit.
The team is also still interested in Dylan Cease, just as they were over a week ago.
The #Dodgers have been the most active team at the Winter Meetings. In addition to Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they are very much in on #WhiteSox starter Dylan Cease, according to industry sources.
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) December 6, 2023
The price remains extremely high for Cease, but the two sides have been…
Another starter that would be a welcome addition but with a reportedly high price in talent.
So … onto guys that only require money, the team is still among those in on Lucas Giolito, who was also linked to them over a week ago. No need to panic about it, as it’s supposed to be more of a back-end rotation thing.
Free agent RHP Lucas Giolito, 29, is drawing interest from the Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, and Royals.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 5, 2023
The Yamamoto and Ohtani markets could impact Giolito's destination. He posted a 4.88 ERA this year while tying for a league-best 33 GS.@MLBNetwork
The Dodgers are also interested in Seth Lugo, who made a successful transition back to starting with the Padres. His market is apparently robust, but likely because he’s seen as a fallback type for the middle/back-end should teams miss out on others.
RHP Seth Lugo has a hot market.
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) November 29, 2023
A league source tells me at least 2/3 of the league has shown interest in the starter.
The #Dodgers are among the teams who have shown interest on Lugo, multiple sources say.
The #Astros are not, I’m told. pic.twitter.com/SEkJ2mZXbG
Surprisingly, it’s not only starters the Dodgers are interested in, as there’s Robert Stephenson, who would be an odd choice since he’s a reliever looking at a multi-year deal. However, after a trade to the Rays he really turned his season around, putting up a 2.35 ERA/2.45 FIP in 38.1 innings. The Dodgers probably feel they can get that to stick.
RHP Robert Stephenson has been one of the most popular free-agent relievers this offseason, sources say.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 27, 2023
Stephenson, who had a 0.678 WHIP over 42 appearances with the Rays this year, is drawing interest from the Dodgers, Cubs, and Angels, among other teams.@MLBNetwork @MLB
Speaking of relievers turning it around with new teams, the Dodgers are also reportedly keeping tabs on the market for Ryan Brasier, who had a breakout with the team after being acquired last year. Seems more of a situation where if there’s no bidding war, then they’d love to get him back at their price.
——
The team also feels they need a right-handed bat, and will apparently go bargain hunting for one, as they’re interested in names like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Michael A. Taylor, and bringing Enrique Hernandez back.
The Dodgers are still seeking a right-handed hitting outfielder or utilityman to fill out that group, league sources said. A reunion with Kiké Hernández is among the possibilities, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote. They have checked in on former New York Yankees and Texas Rangers utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who Rosenthal said is also drawing interest from the Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins.
The Dodgers have also shown interest in Michael A. Taylor, who had a .720 OPS in 129 games for the Minnesota Twins last year and has a career .746 OPS against left-handed pitching. Taylor also has extensive experience in center field, giving the club a depth option behind James Outman.
Taylor could actually be interesting since he’s a plus defender in center that has put up a few underrated seasons in recent years, but if they’re poking around players like IKF, I don’t see why it’s all that hard to just reunite with Enrique. Already know he’s a fit and all that.
======
Discuss and/or have a nervous breakdown below.
