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The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly pursuing DJ LeMahieu in free agency.
This news comes a couple weeks after it was reported the Yankees are a long way off LeMahieu’s asking price. Having established himself as an MVP candidate, LeMahieu’s demands were always going to be high. It is fitting that LeMahieu’s offseason comes down to the two biggest markets.
A free agent just two offseasons ago, the Yankees landed LeMahieu on a bargain deal. Consecutive MVP contending campaigns have set the former Rockies infielder up for a big payday. Landing spots for LeMahieu are plentiful – will the Dodgers and Yankees end up in a bidding war?
Los Angeles’ interest in LeMahieu obviously depends on Justin Turner‘s asking price. Turner is in his late-30s, and doesn’t warrant more than a one-year pact. LeMahieu will want big bucks over three or four years. Retaining Turner should term makes sense, giving the Dodgers the option to pursue one of the big-name infielders next winter.
If that doesn’t work out, LeMahieu could be the ideal option. The World Series champions are set to contend in 2021, and the former batting champion will make them a better team in the coming season. He brings elite defense and positional flexibility that the Dodgers crave.
Of course, it’s not just free agency that could fill the Dodgers’ infield berth. Trades for Kris Bryant, Francisco Lindor or Eugenio Suarez are all possible. They are show-stopper alternatives to Turner, and the first two of that trio will come at a far greater financial cost than LeMahieu if they opt to sign long-term.
If the Dodgers are willing to take themselves out of the Lindor, Trevor Story and Carlos Correa sweepstakes next offseason, snatching LeMahieu from the grasps of the Yankees is a tempting proposition. He’s a better medium-term option than Turner and comes without the prospect cost of a trade for Bryant or Suarez.
Could signing LeMahieu be the Dodgers’ response to the Padres’ headline trades for Blake Snell and Yu Darvish?
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