Dodgers Still on the Hunt After Edwin Díaz Signing: Eyes Now on Outfield Help
LOS ANGELES - The Dodgers made a splash at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, locking down All-Star closer Edwin Díaz on a 3-year, $69 million deal. It was an aggressive move that addressed a key need in the bullpen, giving manager Dave Roberts a late-inning weapon with elite stuff. But the front office isn’t done yet - not by a long shot.
Andrew Friedman and his team have shifted their focus to the position player market, with a particular interest in adding an outfielder. And while the Dodgers aren’t boxed into one specific position, they’re looking for someone who can impact the game on both sides - someone who brings real value with the bat and the glove.
“We have some positional flexibility, so we’re not locked into, ‘It has to be this one specific spot,’” Friedman told SportsNet LA. “There are a lot of interesting guys, both on the free agent market and trade market, that we’re having a lot of active conversations on. We feel good about something lining up, but we may have to be a little bit patient.”
That patience could be tested as the market continues to evolve. The Dodgers have been linked to a handful of notable names - both in free agency and via trade - and the front office is clearly casting a wide net.
One name that continues to surface is Kyle Tucker. The slugging outfielder hasn’t yet landed the long-term deal many expected, and that’s opened the door for teams like Los Angeles to explore shorter-term, high-AAV offers - similar in structure to the deal Alex Bregman signed with Boston last year. The Dodgers are reportedly interested in that kind of arrangement, but only if the terms make sense for their long-term flexibility.
Cody Bellinger’s name is also back in the mix. A reunion with the 2019 NL MVP would be a full-circle moment, but again, the Dodgers are being strategic. A 2-3 year deal seems to be the ceiling for Bellinger in L.A., and whether that’s enough to bring him back remains to be seen.
If the free agent market doesn’t yield the right fit, the Dodgers are ready to pivot to trades. They’ve already been connected to Cleveland’s Steven Kwan and St.
Louis utility man Brendan Donovan - both of whom would bring contact skills, defensive versatility, and a high baseball IQ to the clubhouse. Donovan, in particular, has drawn interest from multiple teams, including Seattle and San Francisco, so the competition could be stiff.
While Friedman didn’t lock in on an outfielder specifically, the roster construction does leave room for flexibility. If Tommy Edman is healthy enough to hold down center field, that could open up second base for an infielder. It’s a scenario that gives the Dodgers more options - and names like Bo Bichette have been floated in league circles as potential fits, should the trade market heat up.
As the holidays approach, the pace of negotiations may slow, but that doesn’t mean the Dodgers are stepping back. If anything, they’re positioning themselves to strike when the timing is right. With Díaz already in the fold and the front office actively working the phones, it’s clear Los Angeles is still in go-mode - aiming to round out a roster that already looks like a contender.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But if history tells us anything, the Dodgers don’t wait long.