Dodgers: Anthony Rendon Seemingly Being Prioritized Over Gerrit Cole
The Dodgers have long been interested in Anthony Rendon and manager Dave Roberts has been quoted on numerous occasions about how much he loves the star third baseman as both a player and a person. With the way the market is shaking out, the Dodgers might be ‘priced out’ of the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes, but could soon find themselves as front-runners for the services of Rendon.
Anthony Rendon was linked to Los Angeles during the regular season which demonstrates the Dodgers high level of interest in signing him this winter.
Dodgers May Pivot from Cole to Rendon
In a recent column by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, he stated that the Dodgers are in the hunt for Gerrit Cole, but could easily pivot to Rendon soon:
“Los Angeles in clearly open to the idea of spending $250 million on a free agent such as Cole or Rendon, so if Cole winds up with the Yankees, the door would immediately open for Rendon to sign with the Dodgers.”
Dodgers Very Interested in Rendon
Another column from Joel Sherman said just as much:
“The Dodgers could still raise up here and have the dollars to do so [sign Gerrit Cole]. But they have seemed more interested in another Boras client, Anthony Rendon.”
Nationals Still May Pursue Rendon
In another interesting development, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo stated that his club would still have interest in bringing back Anthony Rendon in a similar contract structure to the one Stephen Strasburg was signed to with deferred money involved:
Mike Rizzo would not discount the possibility of the Nationals bringing back Anthony Rendon. Cited the structure of the Strasburg contract, presumably referring to the deferred money.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 9, 2019
However, recently, Nationals owner Mark Lerner stated that his team would be unable to afford to retain both Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon.
Dodgers Plans
Jon Heyman is also reporting similarly:
Nats GM Mike Rizzo excitedly said they feel they got their “big fish” back in Strasburg. They don’t rule out Rendon but it feels like others — led by Rangers, Dodgers — are more in on Rendon
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2019
The Dodgers have the room under the luxury tax threshold to be able to make a big splash this winter. Will they do it? The Winter Meetings this week might tell all.
How would you feel if the Dodgers’ big offseason splash was Anthony Rendon?
Signing Rendon and not Cole would be incredibly stupid so it’s probably exactly what Friedman will do.
The lack of a true playoff stud starting pitcher has cost us winning the last 4 World Series. We already have a fantastic third baseman who is a playoff stud.
Turner is now in the last year of his 4 year deal so he’s a FA after 2020. Because Turner’s defense has now been in discussion, he would be better served at 1st base and besides WE NEED ANOTHER RHB to some how balance a LH hitting lineup. This un balance with over a plethora of LHB has not worked well for trying to finally get a WS ring. True, starting pitching was shown by the Nats as to them winning the WS but the October meltdowns by the offense has been the real issue that probably would nullify any good October pitching efforts. Ya have to score in order to win in October and ya cannot expect to win any series by striking out 64 times in 5 games like the Dodgers did in this past NLDS.
Rendon would stabilize the middle of the order. We need a consistent hitter!! This will make Bellinger a better hitter. Everyone around Rendon will improve. We have good young pitchers and if we could get one more starter the team will be much improved. Of course another reliever!
Right on Howard! Because honestly putting Kiki , or Taylor or Beaty batting 5th behind Bellinger is as absurd as it gets because the opposing pitcher would simply not pitch to Bellinger most of the time those players cannot offer lineup protection, yet that has not stopped Roberts from putting them in the 5th spot like he did a lot of times last year.
Yes, Rendon will add to the offense immensely. The offensive category is far more important in this day’s game than pitching. Not that you don’t need good pitching, but it’s of greater value to have an offensive threat than a pitching threat. Urias, May, Gonsolin can fill the pitcher role well enough. Go for it, if you can get him.