The MLB hot stove has cooled off dramatically after the initial frenzy, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are still trying to make some moves to perfect their roster before the start of the new season. Here are all the latest Dodgers rumors you need to know:
Carl Crawford "pretty much" retired
Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford played in just 30 games last season, and that appears to be it for him. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Crawford has "pretty much" retired.
According to one Dodgers official, Crawford has pretty much called it a career. There was some thought he might try to make a comeback, but it appears he’s had enough at age 35.
Crawford has spent 14 years in the league and hit .185 with just six RBIs last season.
Dodgers targeting Ian Kinsler in trade
LA is looking to find an answer at second base before the start of the season, and were reportedly in talks with the Minnesota Twins about acquiring Brian Dozier. However, with those talks stalling, the Dodgers have turned their attention to Detroit's Ian Kinsler, according to Cafardo:
The All-Star is a possible fallback for the Dodgers if they can’t work out a deal with Minnesota for Brian Dozier. The Twins may be having second thoughts about dealing Dozier. “The Tigers are a willing trade partner because they’re trying to get rid of payroll. Kinsler is still a top player and he only has two years remaining on his deal,” said one major league executive. Kinsler, 34, is scheduled to earn $11 million in 2017 and there’s a club option for $12 million in 2018 — a very friendly contract for any team to absorb. However, Kinsler said in November that he would need a contract extension to approve a trade to LA.
Kinsler hit .288 with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs in 153 games last season.
Other 2nd base options
If the Dodgers are unable to trade for Kinsler, they may have to revert to free agency to get a second baseman, in which case re-signing Chase Utley would likely be their top option, according to Connor Byrne of MLBTradeRumors.com:
If the Dodgers aren’t able to swing a trade for a high-impact second baseman, they’ll be left to pick from scraps in free agency and/or pin their hopes on uninspiring in-house options. The top name on the open market is Chase Utley, who has spent the past season-plus with the Dodgers. The longtime Phillie was fine in 2016, hitting .252/.319/.396 with 14 home runs and accounting for a league-average fWAR (2.0) in 565 plate appearances. His age (38) is a concern, however, as is the fact that lefty pitchers have confounded him in back-to-back seasons (.170/.245/.271 in a combined 212 PAs). Nevertheless, cognizant that they might not be able to improve at second via trade, the Dodgers have interest in re-signing Utley.
Whether it’s Utley, another free agent or a trade acquisition, it does seem as if an outsider will be the Dodgers’ primary second baseman in 2017. Their current options – Enrique Hernandez, Chris Taylor, Charlie Culberson, Jose Miguel Fernandez and backup catcher Austin Barnes – don’t carry much appeal as regulars.
Utley hit .252 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs in 138 games last season.
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