What’s next for Dodgers after Winter Meetings? What we’re hearing

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Los Angeles Dodgers arrived in Orlando for this week’s annual Winter Meetings as back-to-back World Series winners and spoke of not needing to make a splash to extend their clear championship window.

Then they went out and got the top closer on the market.

Edwin Díaz is a Dodger, and there are still paths for them to travel down. The Dodgers would like to add an outfielder, but won’t feel pressured to go heavy after any of the top options available. They can do anything and do nothing. It’s easier to have their aspirational “optionality” when you’re set up the way the Dodgers appear to be. 

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman suggested that the Dodgers “definitely” can go out and get another top free agent, such as Kyle Tucker. Or they can swing a big trade — if Tarik Skubal does move, the Dodgers have the farm system to at least be in the mix. 

They can also wait for those options to come to them while exploring the market. 

The Dodgers continue to “kick the tires” on trading Teoscar Hernández, a league source said, though general manager Brandon Gomes said Monday that trading the right fielder “doesn’t feel likely.” Still, the Dodgers might feel inclined to deal Hernández, whose defense declined last year, to free up roster space. The Kansas City Royals have coveted an offense-first outfielder, and have interest in Hernández, a league source said. 

The Dodgers already have an outfield need even before trading Hernández, which means Tucker’s name will remain relevant. The Dodgers are unlikely to offer the 28-year-old a deal over five years, per a source familiar with the club’s thinking. However, Los Angeles would consider a shorter deal of three or four years with a higher annual average value, similar to the deal Alex Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox last offseason. A reunion with Cody Bellinger also remains on the table, though a long-term signing is unlikely.

The Dodgers also remain interested in exploring the trade market, per league sources, and Brendan Donovan remains on their radar. The St. Louis Cardinals’ utility player has been one of the most discussed names on the trade market this winter. And with the Cardinals rebuilding, it’s widely accepted that Donovan will be moved. Donovan primarily played second base for St. Louis last season but has plenty of experience in left field and can slot in at right field or at shortstop. 

Then there’s Cleveland’s Steven Kwan, whom the Dodgers heavily pursued up until the final hours of this past trade deadline before Kwan remained with the Guardians. Both players fit a similar bill: strong defense and bat-to-ball skills to balance out a roster with plenty of heft and slug.

Much of the Dodgers’ outfield plans are contingent on Tommy Edman’s health. Edman underwent ankle surgery in mid-November and will be delayed to start spring training, Gomes said this week. In a perfect world, the Dodgers could slot Edman at second base or center field and move Andy Pages to a corner position where his strong glove can play up even further. Edman’s defensive versatility allows the front office to be more open-minded about potential roster upgrades and provides insurance against injury with a veteran group.

“Tommy’s coming off ankle surgery, our expectations are he’ll be good to go and be able to kick around and play infield and outfield,” Friedman said Tuesday. “You don’t really know that until we’re out in spring training, moving around and seeing how he recovers.

“We’ve got some guys with some positional flexibility. That just opens things up in terms of what exactly we’re targeting and what can fit, which is helpful because that expands the number of possibilities, which increases the chances of lining up on something.”