Los Angeles Dodgers: Answering the biggest current offseason questions
By Jason Reed
4. What are the best free-agents fits remaining?
Despite missing out on the big-three free agents this winter, the Los Angeles Dodgers could still make some big additions with the remaining free agents.
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The first name that jumps to mind is Josh Donaldson, who has been tied to the Dodgers and would be an excellent fit in LA. He is the power-hitting right-handed bat that the team could slot behind Bellinger in the lineup that also is not a huge risk.
The team would have to figure things out in the infield but they have more positional flexibility than anyone and Donaldson, at most, is likely going to get a four-year deal.
More likely than Donaldson, I think, is Dellin Betances. Betances is in the same spot as Treinen after being elite his entire career and missing almost all of last season. His price is lower than it would be otherwise and I could absolutely see the Dodgers also signing him to a one-year deal with a slightly higher salary.
Again, if one of those two pitches like they did before and one is just half of what they were then that is a much better bullpen. If they both return to full form then it would be scary good.
If I had to name a sleeper pick, although I know it is not going to happen, I would go with Nicholas Castellanos. Castellanos is one of the best in the game in hitting left-handed pitching, and as we saw with J.D. Martinez when he was a free agent, his price likely will go down because of his poor fielding.
However, he could be masked in a Dodgers’ defense either in the corner infield spots or in left field and could be the perfect replacement for Joc Pederson.
This would butt the team right up against the luxury tax, but imagine if the team traded Pederson for Kluber, signed Ryu and then signed Castellanos to replace Pederson.
Next. Greatest free agents in Dodger history. dark
That would be excellent. The team would have a starting rotation that is elite and would be adding a guy that hit .370 against southpaws last season.