The Los Angeles Dodgers entered MLB free agency linked heavily to starting pitchers Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki along with infielder Willy Adames. Now, MLB rumors are pointing toward the Dodgers front office ramping up their efforts for another top free agent.
Los Angeles committed to spending more than $1 billion in contracts last offseason when it added Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernandez. After winning the World Series, the original expectation seemed to be that the club would limit its extravagant spending this winter.
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However, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Dodgers are now making a serious entry into the fee for outfielder Juan Soto. In fact, the team is the next in line to meet with the perennial MVP candidate following his meeting with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and New York Mets.
- Juan Soto stats (ESPN): .288/.419/.569, .989 OPS, 41 home runs, 109 RBI, 31 doubles
Heyman originally reported earlier this offseason that the Dodgers had an interest in Soto but would only pursue him if there was legitimate mutual interest. Evidently, SOto is very open to playing in Los Angeles despite previous MLB rumors that he would sign with a team on the East Coast.
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With Mookie Betts moving back to the infield next season, primarily playing second base and shortstop, a spot in the corner outfield opens up for Soto. He would potentially join a Dodgers lineup that boasts three MVP winners already with Ohtani, Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
For months, Los Angeles had been viewed as a long shot for Soto. Instead, the club was expected to prioritize re-signing outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and to come out of MLB free agency with at least two of Sasaki, Burnes, and Adames.
- Los Angeles Dodgers payroll 2025 (FanGraphs): $276 million
Also Read: Los Angeles Dodgers Free Agency Big Board
Landing Soto would mean adding another $50-plus million to the Dodgers payroll in 2025 and Los Angeles would be rostering two of the highest-paid MLB players ever. For now, the likeliest outcome remains Soto signing with the Yankees or Mets while the Dodgers bring back Hernandez and use more money to fortify their pitching for the years ahead.
