The Los Angeles Dodgers could still acquire multiple star players this offseason after signing three-time All-Star reliever Edwin Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract.
The Dodgers proved that they are still the best team in baseball, becoming the first team in nearly 25 years to win back-to-back World Series championships. Los Angeles stayed extremely active last offseason despite winning it all, and have not disappointed this offseason.
Though the Dodgers already signed Diaz to a big contract, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported that the Dodgers potentially may acquire stars Kyle Tucker and Tarik Skubal this offseason.
“It’s ultimately not complicated: Dodgers owner Mark Walter is willing to spend whatever it takes, and his lieutenants are happy to oblige,” Gonzalez wrote Friday. “In other words, they can very easily just go the straightforward route.
“Or, as they aggressively pursue a three-peat, they can pounce on Tucker with another short-term, high-AAV deal, or use their vast starting-pitching depth — including, perhaps, Glasnow, whose name has been thrown around — to get Skubal. They might even do both.”
Tucker is the most sought-after free agent available, and is projected to sign a massive, long-term deal this offseason. Though the Dodgers are reportedly not going to be able to match the years that other teams in the league will include in a contract, the team is willing to offer a higher annual value deal to acquire the Chicago Cubs’ superstar outfielder.
Los Angeles already has one of the best starting rotations in the league, but has still been rumored to be targeting a trade for Skubal. The Detroit Tigers appear likely to trade the 29-year-old, but with only one more year of team control, it would be surprising to see the Dodgers trade for Skubal without an extension.
The Dodgers have already found a way to improve this offseason. If they manage to swing deals to acquire Tucker and Skubal, a three-peat would become the expectation instead of a lofty aspiration for next season.
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