Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: There is no point in trading for Jose Abreu

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is the latest name included in the Los Angeles Dodgers rumors. However, trading for Abreu isn’t really worth it.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to make some big move this offseason, at least, if the Dodgers rumors serve as any indication. Heck, the team has already been tied to arguably the four biggest names of the entire offseason: Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Corey Kluber and J.T. Realmuto.

It has not stopped there either as the Los Angeles Dodgers have potentially added another former all-star to their target list, thus increasing the amount of Dodgers rumors.

Per Michael J. Duarte of NBC Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have contacted the White Sox for Abreu.

Abreu definitely is a talented first baseman and would be a nice piece to add to any team. In five MLB seasons, Abreu is hitting .295 with a .869 OPS, 146 home runs and a pair of all-star apperances and Silver Sluggers.

Heck, Abreu even won the American League Rookie of the Year in 2014 and has received MVP votes in 2014, 2015 and 2017. He finished fourth in voting in 2014.

As good of a resume as Abreu has crafted, there really is no point for the Dodgers to trade for the 31-year-old Cuban slugger. If the White Sox are giving him away for a terribly low price then sure, why not.

That obviously is not the case and it is hard to make a case for the Dodgers’ interest in Abreu.

The team has a franchise-revolving first baseman in Cody Bellinger, who is going to carry this organization alongside Corey Seager and Walker Buehler over the next several years.

The argument has been made to move Bellinger to the outfield, thus opening a door for Abreu. However, the Dodgers also have 2018 standout, Max Muncy as well as David Freese to play first base.

While the Dodgers could move Muncy to be a full-time second baseman (or even sell high and trade him now), that is a far too unnatural fit when there are other, more natural, fits that the Dodgers need to address.

There is also Abreu’s contract to keep in mind as well. Abreu is in his last year of arbitration before he can hit the open market as a free agent. While I get the idea of selling Max Muncy while he is hot, I’m not sure if I would sell him for one year of a first baseman who isn’t much better than Muncy was last year.

Oh, yeah, and he made $13 million last season and will make something similar in 2019. With the luxury tax in mind, there goes the idea of signing Bryce Harper.

The only way I would like this deal is if the Dodgers were able to include Matt Kemp in a package in order to get his contract off the books this year. If that is not the trade then no thanks.