The Dodgers are pessimistic about their chances of landing star third baseman Anthony Rendon, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Rendon is the top player on the market after Gerrit Cole agreed to a 9-year, $324 million deal with the New York Yankees.
#Dodgers pessimistic on chances of landing free-agent third baseman Anthony Rendon, sources tell The Athletic. #Rangers remain heavily involved. #Angels also interested, too. #Nationals a long shot; Rendon balked at deferrals in their initial seven-year, $210M-$215M offer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2019
There are five teams—The Rangers, Braves, Nationals, Angels and Dodgers—who are looking to acquire one of Rendon or Josh Donaldson, according to Bob Nightengale, who said a GM suggested it will be “a game of musical chairs, two guys for four or five spots.”
One GM involved in the bidding for All-Star third basemen Anthony Rendon and Josh Donaldson: It's going to be a game of musical chairs, two guys for four or five spots.'' #Rangers, #Braves, #Nats, #Dodgers, #Angels.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2019
This news comes a day after Dave Roberts said the Dodgers have been aggressive in their pursuit of free agents and third baseman Justin Turner willing to switch positions “set the tone for the off-season.”
Dave Roberts said Dodgers owner Mark Walter “has been at the center” of their offseason pursuit and that Justin Turner agreeing to switch positions “set the tone for the offseason.”
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 11, 2019
It was speculated that was a hint they were strongly in the mix to sign Rendon and had him as one of their main targets.
Until Rendon agrees to sign somewhere, I wouldn’t count them out of it. Everything can change quickly and the Dodgers have been open about their pursuit of elite players.
While it is a little worrying that the Dodgers might miss out on the top two free agents, there are still options they can trade for, such as Kris Bryant, Mookie Betts, Fransisco Lindor, Corey Kluber and more.
NEXT: Dodgers Offer to Gerrit Cole Revealed
