3 Under The Radar Free Agents The Dodgers Need to Sign This Offseason

With the MLB offseason starting to get into the full swing of everything, the Dodgers have plenty of decisions to make about how they will build their roster for 2024. Of course, they will be aggressive in upgrading their starting pitching and will heavily attempt to land two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

But what would other names that could fall under the radar this winter? LA loves to play around in the bargain bin, and they have made a living off doing so for the past few seasons.

This free agent class is very talented, and there could be some real value in signing some guys in the lower tiers. Here are three players who could end up being solid signings for the Dodgers, despite the lack of attention being placed on them.

3. Luis Severino

Severino was once considered one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, but injuries derailed his career over the last few seasons. He could use the change of scenery from the New York Yankees, and LA could be the place to go. Severino is still only 29 years old, so there is time to get the best from him.

He posted an ERA of 6.65 for the year in 19 starts, but in his last five starts this past year, Severino only allowed more than three runs once. The former ace could be viewed as the next reclamation project for the Dodgers on a prove-it contract, to then re-enter free agency next season. 

2. Adam Duvall

The Dodgers were linked to Duvall around the trade deadline and likely could have used his bat in the playoffs. They are going to need another right-handed-hitting outfielder next season to platoon with, and at worst, he upgrades their bench. He showed that he still has some pop in his bat this season, hitting .247 with 21 home runs and 58 runs batted in.

He would basically be taking over the David Peralta spot on the roster for next year, and Duvall could likely be had on a low-cost contract this offseason. He also brings veteran playoff experience to the table as well.

1. Jack Flaherty

Much like Severino, Flaherty would likely join the Dodgers on a one-year prove-it deal to drive up his value for next season. The hometown kid would get a chance to come back, while also having a shot at winning a World Series in the process.

“Flaherty was once considered among the best young pitchers in the game — he finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2019 as a 23-year-old — but the past two years have been bumpy. Flaherty has a 4.84 ERA in 38 games (35 starts) for the Cardinals and Orioles since the start of 2022.”

Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com

Splitting time between the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles posted a record of 8-9 with an ERA of 4.99 for the season. He could enter the LA rotation as a back-end starter, and give them someone that has a ton to prove next season.

Bonus: Shota Imanaga

This one feels like cheating a little bit since his posting to the United States has been covered a ton. But Imanaga is a name that Dodgers fans should look out for. All of the attention is on Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but Imanaga could end up being a great get for LA.

“Imanaga started the gold medal game for Team Japan in this year’s World Baseball Classic, kicking off a year that saw him go 7-5 with a 2.66 ERA for the Yokohama BayStars. The 30-year-old has been one of the best pitchers in Japan since he broke into the Central League in 2016, posting more than a strikeout per inning throughout his career.”

Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com

He will be much cheaper than Yamamoto, and the Dodgers could use another left-handed pitcher in the rotation. Imanaga could slot in as the team’s third starter, and give them a reliable member of the rotation for the next few seasons.

Photo Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports

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