The Los Angeles Dodgers are signaling their top two priorities in free agency, according to Robert Murray of FanSided, and neither is a surprise.
After winning the World Series and being faced with a number of potential free-agent departures, the Dodgers are targeting starting pitching and outfielders, Murray said on The Baseball Insiders show with Adam Weinrib.
Two-thirds of the Dodgers’ postseason rotation (Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty) became free agents after the World Series. So did left fielder Teoscar Hernández, while right fielder Mookie Betts is expected to shift back to the infield in 2025.
Coincidentally, a starting pitcher (Roki Sasaki) and an outfielder (Juan Soto) are the most talked-about free agents in this year’s class.
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Sasaki has yet to be formally posted by his Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, but they could be waiting to allow his 45-day signing window to coincide with the start of the next international amateur signing period on Jan. 15.
The Dodgers have been linked to both Sasaki and Soto in multiple reports. However, there are ample options in both markets should the Dodgers’ bid come up short with either player.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: Walker Buehler #21 and Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as the the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in game 5 to win… NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: Walker Buehler #21 and Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate as the the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in game 5 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Buehler is a free agent. More Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Dodgers as one of several teams to have already scheduled meetings with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, in California this month. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the Dodgers have interest in Soto, but only