Dodgers Rumors: After Matt Kemp Trade, What's Next For LA In Free Agency?

The Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday made their first big move of the offseason, bringing back outfielder Matt Kemp in a cost-cutting deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir, Charlie Culberson and $4.5 million to the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers will have Kemp's $21.75 million salary on their books, yet they will be saving $27 million from the trade.

But what's next? Kemp, who has seen his production dip due to injuries, could be traded or cut, which means bigger moves are on the way.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports said the Dodgers are "low-key right-swiping Bryce Harper." The Washington Nationals slugger is expected to command the biggest contract in MLB history next year. Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote: "Go ahead and put Bryce Harper in the Dodgers’ 2019 starting lineup right now."

There are still plenty of options to upgrade the Dodgers roster next season. One of the Dodgers' luxuries is roster and farm-system depth, which can be traded for an everyday starter or a starting pitcher. The Dodgers can offer outfield prospect Alex Verdugo and reliever Yadier Alvarez in potential deals, as well as roster players Joc Pederson and Yasmani Grandal.

General manager Farhan Zaidi has said that there has been an “active dialogue” in bringing back right-handed starter Yu Darvish.

With the departure of Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees and Marcell Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers might also consider pursuing Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich.

The Dodgers have made two signings in the offseason. Last week, the Dodgers agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Tom Koehler, who spend 2017 with the Toronto Blue Jays. They also added right-hander pitcher Guillermo Zuniga, a 19-year-old from Colombia, for a $205,000 bonus.