Dodgers Trade Rumors: JT Realmuto, Corey Kluber In Play, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood On The Block
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been in as many trade discussions as anyone at the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings. L.A. is looking to make a big splash, and they aren’t afraid to deal a few key contributors from their recent World Series teams in order to do so.
J.T. Realmuto and Corey Kluber appear to be the two All-Stars that are most likely to be traded this offseason. The Miami Marlins have been in contact with teams around the league about their All-Star catcher. The Cleveland Indians might prefer to move Trevor Bauer, but reports indicate they will probably end up dealing Kluber and his two Cy Young awards. The Dodgers have actively pursued both players.
Neither player will come cheap. Los Angeles has the pieces to get a deal done, though it’ll ultimately come down to which players the Dodgers are willing to move.
ESPN’s Buster Olney has reported that the Dodgers have spoken to other teams about Cody Bellinger, but the team prefers not to trade the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year. It could cost Los Angeles in their pursuit of Realmuto.
Dodgers have talked to other teams about moving two outfielders among the group of Kemp, Puig, Pederson, Bellinger, and as they look to re-shape payroll, they are also are prepared to move starting pitchers Rich Hill and Alex Wood.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2018
Impression from a rival about the Dodgers: “Any of their guys are in play except Buehler and Bellinger.” (My add: we’ll assume Kershaw, Turner, Seager and Jansen probably aren’t going anywhere either).
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2018
The holdup with the dodgers on realmuto has been their unwillingness to include Cody Bellinger.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2018
In one variation of this deal, #Dodgers would take back Homer Bailey from #Reds and his remaining $28M commitment as a way of buying prospects. Bailey’s CBT number (average annual salary in multi-year deal) is $17.5M. Deal complex, still in discussion, not close. https://t.co/y3yVs5Rpsf
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2018
L.A. seems much more willing to trade Matt Kemp or Yasiel Puig, or possibly both outfielders. Puig and prospects might ultimately be an acceptable package for the Indians as they look to remain atop the AL Central after trading their star pitcher.
Puig has been at the center of several trade rumors. There’s even been talk that Puig, along with pitcher Alex Wood, could go to the Cincinnati Reds in a trade for Homer Bailey. Such a deal would likely see prospects go back to L.A. as the team takes on the final year of Bailey’s contract and his ERA that’s been north of 6.00 in each of the last three years.
Puig hit .267/.327/.494 with 23 home runs in 125 games last season. Wood had a 3.68 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 151.2 innings.
The Dodgers appear to be exploring all possibilities. Trading Puig in a deal for prospects could help facilitate another move that gets them an All-Star. Sending Puig or Kemp elsewhere might even free up money and an outfield spot for Bryce Harper. Los Angeles is among just a handful of teams that are considered to be a realistic landing spot for MLB’s top free agent.
Los Angeles made the first big move of the offseason by signing Clayton Kershaw to a three-year, $93 million contract extension.
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