The 2019 MLB offseason is fully underway and there has been a lot going on, yet very little at the same time. From an odds perspective, the Los Angeles Dodgers are still the National League favorites at +600 to win the World Series as listed on the MLB betting odds boards at SBR. That has them slightly behind both the Houston Astros (+550) and the odds on favorite New York Yankees (+500) to win the Fall Classic in 2020.
Around The Horn: What’s Happening
Hoping to make the news by signing with a contender, unrestricted free-agent pitcher Rich Hill found himself making headlines in a different manner. Hill and his wife were arrested last weekend while in Foxboro, MA. The couple was hoping to watch the New England Patriots clinch their 11th straight AFC East victory, however, it didn’t work out that way.
According to Boston.com, Hill and his wife were arrested outside the game after police said his wife attempted to enter the stadium with an oversized bag and the couple subsequently argued with officers. Hill said in a statement that the incident was “overblown” and that his wife was carrying a “fanny pack”.
Foxborough Police said Monday that Caitlin Hill had been asked to leave Gillette Stadium after attempting to get into the game several times with the bag, but that she refused to leave, resulting in the arrests. The charges against the Hills were reduced to civil infractions after a court appearance on Monday.
While Hill was dealing with all this, the Dodgers picked up the Oakland Athletics former closer, Blake Treinen in a move designed to shore up their bullpen by adding a reliable late-inning guy into the mix. Treinen was an All-star in 2018 with the Washington Nationals before going over to the A’s, and was pitching well before he was injured in late June. The Dodgers signed him to a one-year, $10-million dollar contract.
What’s Not Happening
To the dismay of the fans, the Dodgers missed out on Gerrit Cole (Yankees), Stephen Strasburg (Nationals), Madison Bumgarner (Arizona Diamondbacks), and Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles Angeles) and failed to retain starter Hyun-Jin Ryu who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. The loss of Ryu creates a noticeable void in the starting rotation and it remains to be seen if the Dodgers will trade to fill the hole or bring back Hill for another season.
BREAKING: The #BlueJays and free-agent starter Hyun-jin Ryu have agreed to a four-year deal.https://t.co/lI2jOjZMnJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 23, 2019
Regardless, Clayton Kershaw believes that the Dodgers have a great team and is confident that the front office will make the right moves before the 2020 season begins.
Lindor and Clevinger or Betts?
After missing the boat on Rendon, the Dodgers now are looking to deal with the Cleveland Indians for both Francisco Lindor and Mike Clevinger. Doing so would at least soften the blow of Ryu’s departure and make it so the Dodgers are not in a detrimental situation if Rich Hill does not return.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that while Los Angeles has made Lindor their new number one target, Cleveland wants Gavin Lux to be part of any deal. The Dodgers have, however, made Lux off-limits in the trade market this offseason, making a deal difficult if not impossible unless one team comes off their demands.
The Dodgers are also considering a move for Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox. Given that Boston needs to cut payroll (they are over the $208 million luxury tax threshold), trading Betts for prospects might be an overnight solution. Expect the Red Sox to ask for a lot in return or look to bundle another large contract player like David Price into any deal.
