If this were around the 5th inning, the Los Angeles Dodgers are coming to the plate 0 for 2.
Two big swing and misses on two of the biggest free agents available in Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon.
However, the New York Yankees are back to their Death Star status, and the crosstown Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim) outbid the Dodgers when they came away with the two prized possessions left on the board in consecutive days. Sure, Andrew Friedman inked Blake Trenin to a one-year deal to help the bullpen out, but that’s hardly the splash Dodgers fans were hoping for.
Now, it looks as if their big acquisition will have to come from the trade route. As of late Wednesday, December 11th, the Dodgers were in some level of elevated talks with the Cleveland Indians for Mr. Smiles, Francisco (that’s fun to say – Francisco) Lindor.
Kris Bryant is also rumored to be available via trade, however, his status is unclear as the Chicago Cubs and Bryant wait for a ruling on his grievance about his service time. There’s also a third base bat and glove in Josh Donaldson lingering around someone will sign to a large contract.
There are still options out there, but the Dodgers will have to be creative, as they always are, in who, and how, they acquire them.
Even though Justin Turner has made it clear he will move across the diamond if it makes the team better, and let’s be honest, it would if they added Bryant or Donaldson, there are many more hurdles to consider.
Gavin Lux and/or Dustin May would be shipped out to Cleveland, with the additional possibility of Corey Seager and another pitcher for Lindor. This would open up a lot of paths for the Dodgers.
There is a bit of a log jam on the right side with Lux, Max Muncy, Kiké Hernandez Chris Taylor, and now Turner if he moves across, looking for playing time. Signing Donaldson and trading for Lindor would give the Dodgers a loaded infield. Donaldson at third, Lindor at short, and Turner and Muncy at first base or second. That is a whole lot of power and solid gloves all around.
Dodgers Nation will say, “Don’t trade Lux! He is the future!” Well, the present hasn’t put any rings on any fingers either.
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