The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions, celebrating their first championship following a 162-game regular season in decades. While Dodgers players and coaches are still celebrating, the front office is already being linked to big names in MLB rumors ahead of free agency.
Even after winning the World Series, Los Angeles is expected to remain aggressive on the trade market and in free agency. The team acquired Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernandez, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto last winter. One year later, big moves are once again the expectation.
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Recently, MLB rumors have tied Los Angeles to Juan Soto. The perennial MVP candidate is seeking a lucrative contract that would make him one of the highest-paid MLB players ever. There’s also been recent MLB news on how much money Soto wants.
However, the All-Star outfielder is expected to either re-sign with the New York Yankees or sign a deal with the New York Mets. While Los Angeles will probably miss out on Soto, there’s another name to watch ahead of MLB free agency.
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Fansided‘s Robert Murray named starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi among the potential Dodgers free agent targets this offseason. The MLB insider notes that the Dodgers have “long liked Eovaldi” and would view him as a veteran presence to stabilize their rotation.
- Nathan Eovaldi stats (ESPN): 3.8 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 166-42 K-BB ratio, 12-8 record in 170.2 innings pitched
Eovaldi, who turns 35 in February, holds a $20 million player option for next season with the Texas Rangers. After winning a World Series with Texas in 2023, he could have the same opportunity next season if he signed with Los Angeles.
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The 6-foot-3 righty has pitched 140-plus innings in consecutive seasons, but injuries have been an issue for him in the past. He also once played in a Dodgers uniform, playing for Los Angeles from 2011-’12. Drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft, falling due to Tommy John surgery, Eovaldi was traded to the Miami Marlins in July 2012 for Hanley Ramirez.
Even if Eovaldi enters MLB free agency, Dodgers rumors in recent weeks have pointed to All-Star shortstop Willy Adames being a priority for Los Angeles. The club will also likely explore re-signing Walker Buehler, who closed out the World Series win.