Dodgers poised for active Winter Meetings
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- With multiple holes left to fill, the Dodgers could be busy at the Winter Meetings beginning on Monday, and Dodgers.com will be there to cover it.
MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday at 6 a.m. PT.
• Hot Stove Tracker
Even with the anticipated retention of starting pitcher Rich Hill with a three-year deal, free agency has the potential to leave the Dodgers with holes at closer, third base and second base. The club needs to either re-sign Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Chase Utley, or replace them.
In two years of the Andrew Friedman regime, the Dodgers have passed on nine-figure marquee free agents while clinging tightly to their most coveted prospects, specifically Corey Seager and Julio Urías.
•Dodgers value trades over signings
The Dodgers have filled holes with affordable free agents and trades -- often complicated ones -- for controllable young players like catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitcher Alex Wood, or veterans with short-term commitments like Utley and Howie Kendrick.
Their biggest free-agent contracts have gone to mid-rotation starting pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy, who have been hampered by injuries. If Hill's deal becomes official, he retains his spot as the No. 2 starter behind Clayton Kershaw.
The Dodgers' most intriguing potential trade chip is outfielder Yasiel Puig, a former All-Star who was nearly traded to Milwaukee for Ryan Braun during the season. The prospects other clubs eye include first baseman Cody Bellinger and Cuban right-handed pitcher Yadier Alvarez.
• Dodgers look to fill holes
Since being eliminated from the National League Championship Series by the eventual World Series champion Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers have traded backup catcher Carlos Ruiz to Seattle for left-handed reliever Vidal Nuño, moved Kendrick to Philadelphia for outfielder Darin Ruf and second baseman Darnell Sweeney and non-tendered reliever Louis Coleman.
Manager Dave Roberts will hold his Winter Meetings media session on Tuesday at 12 p.m. PT.
The Rule 5 Draft will take place on Thursday morning. The Dodgers have one open spot on their 40-man roster.