The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t resting on their laurels after winning a World Series just a few months ago. They have been involved in just about every major free-agent negotiation available. No bigger name was connected to the Dodgers than Juan Soto. But a new rumor has surfaced that puts their involvement with the eight-time all-star in question.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale presupposes that the Dodgers and Soto’s agent, Scott Boras are using Soto as a mutually beneficial bargaining chip. For the LA, it was to land southpaw ace, Blake Snell.
Dodgers Rumors May Have Been A Calculated Move
Did the Dodgers meet with Soto and let people believe they actually are pursuing him just to help them sign Blake Snell, another Scott Boras client? Did they let the Soto rumors fester just to up the pressure on a Hernández reunin? Or did they jump into the original bidding to drive up the Soto price tag for everyone else?
As of the last few days, the Dodgers have slipped from the top team’s that Soto seems to be interested in signing with. The most recent odds give the Toronto Bluejays a leg up on LA, joining the top three; Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and New York Mets.
What lends this credence is what is being leaked about LA and their pursuit of Teoscar Hernandez. The two camps are reportedly ‘close’ on a new deal and Hernandez has made it clear he’d like to stay in southern California, simply saying he would like to return “One thousand percent.” Nightengale spoke to this too.
The truth is that the Dodgers should re-sign Hernandez to a three-year contract, with perhaps a fourth-year option, for somewhere in the $65-80 million range. The two sides have been seriously engaged in negotiations this week, but caution there’s still a gap.
Hernandez has other teams interested in signing him, most likely the Boston Red Sox.
