MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest free-agent and trade rumors involving the Dodgers right here.
Nov. 21: Can Dodgers land Ohtani and Yamamoto?
The Dodgers seem to be planning big for this offseason after being mostly silent the previous season.
The team may be trying to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, who are regarded as the best two free agents available, according to MLB Network source Jon Heyman.
Heyman stated on MLB Network on Tuesday, “The Dodgers love Yamamoto, they are the only team really thinking, ‘Maybe we can sign both Yamamoto and Ohtani.'”
Ohtani and Yamamoto are expected to command contracts worth a combined total of over $700 million in guaranteed money, if they sign both.
Ohtani and Yamamoto would not be the first Japanese stars to team together if they do join the Dodgers. Previously, they supported Samurai Japan in winning gold at the 2023 World Baseball Classic while playing together for their home nation.
Along with Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames, Dylan Cease, and free-agent pitcher Blake Snell, the Dodgers have also been linked to these players. Heyman also notes that the team visited Aaron Nola prior to his re-signing with the Phillies.
Nov. 20: Could Dodgers land 2 stars in one trade?
The Dodgers need help in two areas: starting pitcher and shortstop. Maybe they will make a big transaction this offseason to address both situations.
The Dodgers may try to acquire both shortstop Willy Adames and starter Corbin Burnes from the Brewers in the same trade, a team executive informed MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. After the 2024 season, both players will be free agents.Speaking on Friday on Foul Territory, Burnes stated that he has not discussed a deal with Milwaukee and that both teams are aware that the right-handed ace will be available in free agency.
Burnes, who turned 29 last month, won the NL Cy Young Award in 2021 and has made 93 starts with a 2.93 ERA since the start of the season. Adames was traded to Tampa Bay, and in May 2021, he came in Milwaukee. He has had an OPS+ of 111 ever since.Among qualified shortstops, he has outperformed average by 26 during the last two seasons.
Even before free agent Clayton Kershaw revealed that he would miss a significant amount of the 2024 season due to shoulder surgery, there were doubts about the Dodgers’ rotation. L.A. had a.663 OPS and a.290 on-base percentage at shortstop in the previous season. Gavin Lux, who missed the entire 23 season because of ruptured ACL, LCL, and right hamstring injuries, may be the team’s starter in 2024.
Nov. 19: Dodgers ‘in talks’ to acquire Cease
The Dodgers remain highly motivated to bolster their rotation after a 2023 season in which they used 17 different starters, and they may be on the cusp of acquiring a big arm. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the club has been actively engaged in trade negotiations with the White Sox for right-hander Dylan Cease.
Cease, 27, who finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2022, made an MLB-high 33 starts in 2023, pitching to a 4.58 ERA with 214 strikeouts in 177 innings.
Nov. 15: Dodgers linked to Yamamoto, Snell
The Dodgers have been linked to some of the best arms available, and they are allegedly one of eight clubs looking to add two starting pitchers this offseason.
Los Angeles is reportedly “among the most interested teams” in signing Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is anticipated to be posted by the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball shortly, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi.
MLB Network source Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers are considering Blake Snell.
Nov. 10: Teoscar on Dodgers’ radar (report)
The Dodgers’ biggest goals this offseason may be signing Shohei Ohtani and improving their rotation, but they also need a corner outfielder because Jason Heyward and David Peralta both became free agents earlier this month.
Teoscar Hernández, a free agent, may be a possibility because the Dodgers have expressed interest in the 31-year-old, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times.
Hernández would provide the Dodgers with an additional right-handed power bat, something they desperately need given that designated hitter J.D. Martinez also became a free agency. He would also fill one of Los Angeles’ corner-outfield slots. Martinez might still make a trip back to Los Angeles, but only in the event that Ohtani cannot be signed by the Dodgers.
Hernández, 31, concluded 2023 with 26 home runs, 93 RBIs, and a.741 OPS (106 OPS+) despite striking out 211 times in 160 games for the Mariners. Hernández’s.830 OPS away from Seattle’s pitcher-friendly park gives hope that, should he join a team with a more hitter-friendly home park, he might replicate his 2020–22 Blue Jays output (.852 OPS, 133 OPS+).
Nov. 8: ‘Overwhelming majority’ of baseball execs think Shohei ends up with Dodgers
Is the Dodgers about to launch a full-scale effort to sign Shohei Ohtani? According to MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand, who stated on Wednesday that the “overwhelming majority” of baseball officials believe Ohtani will wind up with the Dodgers, Los Angeles is seen as the favorite to sign the two-way phenom.
Feinsand highlights the team’s lack of spending over the previous winter, which may result in them offering the generational player a huge contract.
Feinsand is not alone among insiders who believe the Dodgers are the overwhelming favorites to sign Ohtani. According to someone in the Dodgers organization, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman is “obsessed” with Ohtani and will do whatever it takes to set up the team for an eventual signing. This information was relayed to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
After earlier reporting that Dodgers ownership was “highly motivated” to acquire Ohtani prior to their early postseason elimination, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez (subscription needed) should have no trouble persuading ownership to open the checkbook for the 29-year-old.
Ohtani’s free agency was reportedly a factor in the Dodgers’ decision to not extend a qualifying offer to designated hitter J.D. Martinez, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
In 2023, Martinez produced 33 home runs and 103 RBIs in 113 games while playing for Los Angeles on a one-year, $10 million contract. However, accepting the QO would have locked up the DH position for 2024, when Ohtani is still available, and the team didn’t want to take that chance. Heyman mentions that if the Dodgers aren’t able to sign Ohtani, they might be willing to bring Martinez back.