Dodgers: Five bold predictions for the Winter Meetings

2. The Dodgers will move on from Adrian Gonzalez

The benefit of trading Adrian Gonzalez has already been made apparent here as LA Sports Hub. Gonzalez will fair much better in an American League club, with a designated hitter, where he can focus on hitting and resting his nagging injuries. Although Gonzalez will likely be healthy come Spring Training, playing so much has taken a toll on Gonzalez.

However, the Dodgers biggest benefit of trading Gonzalez is not opening a roster spot. LA definitely could use Gonzalez’ clutch bat off of the bench in big situations, there is no denying that. What is intriguing for the Dodgers is clearing up Gonzalez’ salary. Gonzalez possesses one of the last big contracts for the Dodgers and now it may be time to free that up.

Gonzalez is set to make $21.5 million next season, the last under contract with the Dodgers. That is far too much to pay someone to come off of the bench. With the Giancarlo Stanton trade talks heating up, and a need for a second pitcher behind Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers cannot afford to pay Gonzalez the entirety of the contract.

However, Gonzalez still has enough worth to trade without eating up all of the contract. A team like the New York Yankees would likely take in Gonzalez if the Dodgers ate, say, $10 million. Ten million dollars is still a lot, but it is a lot better than $21.5 million.