Dodgers Identified as Best Fits for Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon, and Will Smith by The Athletic
The Dodgers have the money to spend and the assets to expend this offseason. They have exactly what it takes to land a big name like Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts. The two biggest free agents, though, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, might be even more likely pieces to head to the Dodgers.
According to former Washington Nationals GM Jim Bowden, the Dodgers are best fits for the services of both ace Gerrit Cole and superstar Anthony Rendon — and it makes sense.
People ask @JimBowdenGM what he does in winter when there's no baseball. We'll tell you what he does.
He ranks the top 35 free agents and predicts where they'll land. https://t.co/7mS6PmduOI
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) November 4, 2019
Bowden is very well-versed in baseball and free agency, obviously, as he was a general manager for quite some time. According to him, the Dodgers could make some big splashes.
Gerrit Cole
A UCLA boy, Gerrit Cole has some roots down in Los Angeles. However, according to a recent press conference, Cole made it known that moving west is not a preference. Still, he will go wherever he gets paid the most. Money talks. Bowden puts the value of Cole’s contract in the neighborhood of an 8-year, $288 million deal.
Anthony Rendon
Rendon, the recent World Series champion, is a bonafide superstar. He does not represent a seamless fit for the Dodgers with Justin Turner on the roster, but for a player of Rendon’s caliber, you make the necessary adjustments. The Dodgers could definitely use Rendon’s right-handed bat to balance out the lefties in the lineup just as any team could. According to Bowden, Rendon is set to receive a contract in the 7-year, $231 million range.
Will Smith
With a limited amount of impact relievers on the market, Will Smith should command a decent salary in free agency. The Dodgers have an obvious need with their relief pitching corps and Smith would be an excellent left-handed complement to Kenley Jansen and Joe Kelly. Bowden is predicting Smith’s deal to be in the 3-year, $39 million range — an overpay for a reliever.
