Dodgers Rumors: Top Starting Pitching Target May Prefer East Coast In Free Agency

The Dodgers are expected to look all over the league to address their starting pitching issues this winter, and they are expected to be aggressive in doing so. The team wants to land at least one front-line starter this offseason, and possibly more depending on how things shake out.

They have been linked to all sorts of names this winter, including starter Sonny Gray. Gray hasn’t been talked about with the Dodgers as much as the others, but he does remain a solid target for them.

However, it seems that Gray may prefer to be elsewhere than with the Dodgers. MLB insider Buster Olney is reporting that Gray may prefer to be closer to his home state of Tennessee on the East Coast.

Some evaluators and agents believe that Gray, a Cy Young finalist, prefers to land closer to his home state of Tennessee. “I think he would love to play for the Braves,” said one agent, “like deGrom did last year.”

Per Buster Olney of ESPN.com

Every player has their preferences, and Gray seems like he may want to stay on the other side of the country. But money does talk, and if the Dodgers were to offer him a lucrative enough deal, he would likely join them.

Last season with the Minnesota Twins, Gray had himself a special season. He posted an ERA of 2.79 over 32 starts, and a WHIP of 1.15. Gray also added 183 strikeouts over 184 innings of work.

He would be a solid No. 2 in the Dodgers rotation, and it would give them a veteran that they could rely on. Gray also wouldn’t likely cost as much as some of the other top pitching targets for LA, and they could maybe afford to get multiple in his range.

While it remains doubtful that Gray will end up in Los Angeles, the Dodgers should at least still be in contact with his representatives. The team owes it to themselves to see what it would take to land him, as their search for pitching continues this offseason.

Photo Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

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