Given the Los Angeles Dodgers’ massive spending spree last offseason, many would believe that the team might take a step back next winter. However, that may not necessarily be the case.
While the Dodgers have spent big to sign stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles has always been about signing more talent. Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has never shied away from trying the home run swing, especially when he’s fully confident in a player.
This winter, one of baseball’s biggest stars is set to become a free agent: outfielder Juan Soto. Soto is currently with the New York Yankees, but a bidding war for his services is expected to erupt in the offseason.
The Yankees and New York Mets have been most frequently linked to Soto, but you can never count out the Dodgers. MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post appeared on MLB Network and rated his five most likely landing spots for Soto.
Los Angeles can rank third in the ranking for the most powerful outfielder.
“Number three, I have the Dodgers. A very desirable team, the stars wanted to go there. I don’t know what the limit is. They spent a lot, you never know. I don’t bet against the Dodgers. Well, the odds are 15 to one. So maybe I did. Anyway, they’re number three.”
With Soto, the Dodgers would be going all out to win the title. Putting him alongside Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and others in the Los Angeles lineup would essentially be an All-Star squad.
It will cost a lot of money to get Soto, but the Dodgers have shown they are willing to spend. Once Ohtani signed with the team, it was paramount that Los Angeles do whatever it takes to win at the highest level.
Signing a player like Soto would certainly be the definition of that. He had an incredible first season with the Yankees, posting a .302 batting average, 34 home runs and 87 runs batted in.
The Yankees probably have the upper hand when it comes to keeping Soto, but money speaks volumes. It also remains to be seen if the Dodgers will actually go all out on signing the left-hander, but never say never.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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