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MLB Free Agency Rumors: Dodgers Among Teams Interested In Josh Donaldson After Angels Sign Anthony Rendon

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports

Having remained under the luxury tax threshold for another season, the Los Angeles Dodgers went into the winter with an expectation they would be involved for the top players in free agency. This offseason that group comprised of Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg.

Despite plenty of rumored interest in each of the marquee free agents, the Dodgers struck out within the first three days of the annual Winter Meetings. Strasburg was first to come off the board, re-signing with the Washington Nationals for seven years and $245 million.

Cole was next, landing a record-breaking nine-year, $324 million deal with the New York Yankees. That left Rendon, but the Dodgers’ rumored pessimism became a reality as he agreed to a seven-year, $245 million contract with the L.A. Angels.

With Rendon no longer an option, the Dodgers and other clubs seeking a third baseman have turned their attention to Josh Donaldson, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:

The Dodgers’ interest in Donaldson first surfaced in November and it was followed by a report that suggested it was legitimate rather than cursory.

Donaldson bounced back from appearing in just 52 games last year to hit .259/.379/.521 with 37 home runs and 94 RBI for the Atlanta Braves this past season. He led NL third basemen with 15 Defensive Runs Saved and was voted the Players Choice Awards National League Comeback Player of the Year.

If the Dodgers are to sign the 33-year-old, they would forfeit a draft pick due to Donaldson rejecting the qualifying offer from the Braves.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was fair to classify the team’s approach in free agency this year as more aggressive than prior winters, but that has yet to play out in the form of activity.

Up to this point the only addition was the reported signing of Blake Treinen to a one-year contract.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com