The 2019 MLB free agent class was headlined by the three-headed monster of Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg. Considered among the top players at their respective positions, they unsurprisingly received the most lucrative contracts of the offseason.
On Day 1 of the Winter Meetings in San Diego, Strasburg officially came off the board after agreeing to a record-breaking seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals. The reported total value of $245 million represented the largest amount for any starting pitcher in MLB history.
It was shattered one day later when Cole agreed to a nine-year, $324 million deal with the New York Yankees. He accepted the record contract from New York over offers from the Los Angeles Dodgers and L.A. Angels.
Anaheim then struck gold on Wednesday by agreeing to terms with Rendon for seven years and $245 million. Although the Dodgers were said to be interested, they ever extended an offer to the All-Star third baseman.
The Dodgers seemingly are more focused on starting pitching. Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill are currently free agents, making it a priority for the organization to add at least one starter this winter.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman nonetheless revealed he is satisfied with the current group of starting pitchers but is mindful of exploring additions as well, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“Valuations are in the eye of the beholder,” said Friedman. “I like our rotation and feel like it’s a talented group and we have some depth. That being said, to the extent we can add someone near the top or at the top has a trickle-down effect, and that has some value.”
With Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw already entrenched atop the starting rotation, the Dodgers have considered adding another frontline pitcher to complement them. They were connected to Strasburg before he re-signed with Washington and are said to be interested in a reunion with Ryu.
Should anything substantial fall short of materializing, the Dodgers have plenty of depth to round out the rest of the starting rotation for the 2020 season.
Friedman previously revealed that Kenta Maeda and Julio Urias are expected to join the group while naming Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Ross Stripling as other candidates for a potential spot.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!
