Coming off a disappointing finish to the 2019 season and having remained under the luxury tax threshold in back-to-back years, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear primed to make a splash in free agency or via trade as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman works to assembled a roster that will end the franchise’s World Series drought.
On the open market, the Dodgers reportedly met with Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg prior to the Winter Meetings beginning in San Diego. They’re considered the top players available in free agency and are the subject of plenty of interest.
The New York Yankees are said to have focused in on Cole and either have or are prepared to submit a record-breaking contract offer.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, the Dodgers have not extended an offer to Cole but are active with Rendon:
andThe #Dodgers letting teams know that outfielders A.J. Pollock and Joc Pederson, and infielder/outfielder Enrique Hernandez are available at the right price. They have not engaged with Gerrit Cole, but are in on Anthony Rendon.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 9, 2019
Amid a report of the Yankees zeroing in on Cole, the Dodgers reportedly were mulling over potentially making a contract offer to Rendon or Strasburg.
Of the three marquee free agents, Rendon may be the most likely to wind up with the Dodgers. He is thought to be interested in a short-term contract that may sacrifice length but still set a record for average annual value.
As the Dodgers evaluate their options in free agency — which includes some level of interest in Josh Donaldson and Hyun-Jin Ryu as well — the club additionally could look to trade Kiké Hernandez, Joc Pederson or A.J. Pollock.
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