Los Angeles Dodgers: Ranking linked free agents by likelihood

3. Anthony Rendon

You thought I was setting Anthony Rendon up to be the number one ranked person on this list, didn’t you? Well, think again, as while it is more likely that Rendon ends up a Dodger instead of Donaldson, it is still hard to see Rendon sporting Dodger blue.

This has become a dream target for Dodger fans after they watched Rendon lead the Nationals to the World Series, beating the Dodgers in the process. Rendon was an MVP finalist in 2019 and at 29 years old, there is no reason to expect a huge downfall in his production.

The reason why Rendon has become such a polarizing fit for the Dodgers is the fact that he has been outspoken about not playing into his mid-to-late thirties, which seemingly sets up the possibility for the Dodgers to sign Rendon to the short-term, high AAV contract that they reportedly offered Bryce Harper last season.

Rendon would also be the right-handed power bat that the Dodgers are looking for, however, if the team is going to get an infielder I think the front office is going to wait a year.

They would have to push someone out of the infield to make room for Rendon, with that someone likely being Corey Seager, Max Muncy or Gavin Lux. It makes no sense to trade either of them just to make room when Justin Turner‘s contract expires after 2019.

And the Dodgers are not going to trade Turner in the last year of his deal. It is just hard to make sense of this while trying to force-fit the pieces when the Dodgers can simply wait a season and look at the likes of Marcus Semien or D.J. LeMahieu.

The only way I can see Rendon going to the Dodgers is if the team trades Corey Seager and that should only happen if they get an elite arm (such as Jacob deGrom) or Mookie Betts in return.