It goes without saying that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the team to beat in Major League Baseball right now. They have the most depth, the more power, and are fresh off aWorld Series-winning campaign.
But if that wasnât enough, the West Coast giants have also managed to build an impressive roster while also having a lot of flexibility in terms of their cap space, let alone the fact that theyâre a huge and appealing market for free agents.
That means that, should they decide to, they could be the frontrunners to land pretty much every single star that comes available in the market, including Trevor Bauer and DJ LeMahieu, this yearâs most coveted players.
Los Angeles Dodgers Could Sign Trevor Bauer To A Short-Term Deal
And, according to Joel Sherman of MLB Network and The New York Post, the Dodgers could be in the mix for the outspoken Trevor Bauer if he decides to keep his promise of only signingone-year deals, as it would provide them the payroll flexibility they need to offer him the money heâs worthy of:
âIf Bauer goes for the longest contract worth the most money, then the Dodgers are probably out. But if Bauer truly would consider a short-term deal as he has said he would, especially if he would do a one-year pact (âŠ) Bauer would join Buehler and Clayton Kershaw atop the rotation with David Price and talented youngsters Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Julio Urias behind them. Think of the depth and overflow to the bullpen in 2021,â read the report.
Los Angeles Dodgers Have Enough Money To Pursue DJ LeMahieu
But if that wasnât enough, Sherman added that the Dodgers could also end up winning the DJ LeMahieu sweepstakes, as the reigning AL Batting Champion and the New York Yankees are reportedly far from an agreement:
âThe Dodgers have managed their payroll so well that Betts is their only guaranteed money beyond 2022, and his deferrals mean he costs just $25.55 million annually toward the payroll for luxury-tax purposes. Obviously, the Dodgers will have other commitments coming plus what pause is given since LeMahieu turns 33 in July? Still. LeMahieu can fit within the Dodger salary structure and play third if Justin Turner is not re-signed, or second with Gavin Lux becoming a super-utility type, or move around as he did with the Yankees,â he concluded.
Needless to say, adding either of these players to an already overpowered roster would only make the Los Angeles Dodgers more of a historically great team, but whether theyâll end up pulling the trigger or not is yet to be seen.
