Dodgers Analyst Expects ‘2 or 3’ of LA’s Top Free Agents to Re-Sign
Perhaps more than ever before, this offseason will bring a whole lot of change for the Dodgers. With so many guys set to hit the open market and potentially explore free agency, there are bound to be major roster changes on the horizon.
But Dodgers fans really want to know which guys will be returning in 2021. Out of all of their free agents, chances are that only a select few will return. Fans are obviously hoping that most of the top 5 are able to come back.
But The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya doesn’t quite see it shaking out that way. He predicted this week that while the Dodgers have some looming questions with Trevor Bauer, chances are they only bring back a few key targets.
A lot of this depends on how much the Dodgers are willing to spend this winter. But if I had to guess out of the Dodgers’ top five free agents, I’d say two or three re-sign.
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Kershaw seems like the most likely to return out of anyone for the Dodgers if he wants to continue to play. For the moment, there is no indication that he would prefer to retire at the ripe age of 33. But don’t expect Los Angeles to go out and re-sign every guy that they have hitting the market.
There is going to be massive turnover. Which of the top 5 do you think returns to Los Angeles? Drop into the comments with your predictions.
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I think Kenley, Clayton, Max and CT3 all return. And with Max having HUGE deferrals already from Washington; I would not be surprised to see 2 or 3 of these guys getting similar offers from Friedman.
Wayne, I’m pretty sure Max ends up with the Cards. I will be surprised to see him re-sign with the Dodgers.
Df4l – how are you sure he ends up with the Cardinals? Max wants west coast – and if the Angles prove they are going for it this season, he could easily sign with them, or return to the Dodgers
Joe, my theory is this…
Baseball is entertainment yes/no? If so, Cards have already got Waino and Yadi doing their farewell tour. AP is wintering in the Dominican where he will drop 20 lbs and the Cards bring him back to add to the farewell tour. Max is a St. Louis native, Mizzou grad, they add him to the mix. Rotation of Waino, Max, and Flaherty? NOT SHABBY. They sell out Busch for EVERY HOME GAME! No brainer if I’m Cards Ownership. Also new hire 35 yr old manager, wouldn’t expect them to throw him under the bus off the get go.
Thoughts?
Scherzer wants to win. The Angels don’t meet that criterion.
YES!!!! And I would like to add Kershaw just because he needs to retire a Dodger. And an incentive-laden contract is what he should expect. He cannot be paid like an ace because his limitations helped lead to the mess this postseason. But he commands and deserves respect. I fully expect that Jansen and Seager walk.
I agree Wayne. Most of them return, albeit to slimmed-down contracts, with the exception of CT3 and possibly Max.
Certainly will not be a massive turnover Brook
I haven’t seen anything in Rios to make me think he could fill the shoes of any of the present players. If Rios is what the team is counting on it is going to be a very disappointing season. I think without injuries the Dodgers would have repeated this year as World Series Champs.
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barry, I agree with your assessment
If I had to chose two to resign, I would resign Scherzer and CT3.
YES!!!! And I would like to add Kershaw just because he needs to retire a Dodger. And an incentive-laden contract is what he should expect. He cannot be paid like an ace because his limitations helped lead to the mess this postseason. But he commands and deserves respect. I fully expect that Jansen and Seager walk.
Kersh is going to want a whole lot of money. I hate to say it, but I think that he will play elsewhere.
I think the Dodgers resign Kershaw and Taylor and then surprise everyone by getting Scherzer for a really good, but slightly under market amount. Jansen doesn’t want to come back and the Yankees really want a left handed power bat, so Jansen and Seager are gone.
As I mentioned before, CT3 IS THE FIRST that needs to be re-signed.
I think picking three is an easy decision: Kersh, Corey and Chris. That is of course if Corey wants to come back and if we would pay him fair market value. Picking two is hard. I don’t see Max or Kenley returning.