Los Angeles Dodgers: Ranking linked free agents by likelihood
By Jason Reed
1. Gerrit Cole
While I do not think that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the early-offseason favorites to sign Gerrit Cole (personally, I give that honor to the New York Yankees), I still think that he is the most likely signing that the Dodgers would make of the four.
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The reason being is that Cole should be the Dodgers’ plan A this offseason. If the team is only going to get one thing this winter it should be Gerrit Cole and with the funds to back it up and the money coming off the books in the near future, the Dodgers should use their big-market advantage to throw suitcases full of Benjamins at Cole.
In contrast, Ryu can be plan B if Cole ends up signing elsewhere, which would not be surprising considering the large market for him.
The narrative writes itself. The Dodgers not only give Cole a chance to sign a massive contract and contend for the World Series, but they also have the advantage over the Yankees that he can play close to home.
Yes, the Los Angeles Angels have dominated that narrative as Cole is an Orange County kid, but Los Angeles is not all that far from Orange County. Heck, he went to UCLA instead of California State University, Fullerton, maybe he will go to the Dodgers instead of the Angels.
Let’s say the Dodgers and Angels offer the exact same contract down to the fine print. Cole would then be choosing to play for a franchise that has not won a playoff game in a decade with fewer assets outside of Mike Trout and a farm system that is still rebuilding.
Next. 2019 grades for every Dodger. dark
On the other hand, the Dodgers are built for instant success, long-term success and will naturally give Cole many more opportunities outside of playing the game because of the market.