ORLANDO, Fla. -- Back at the previous Trade Deadline, the Dodgers indicated that they might take a more measured approach to improving the big league roster -- and true to their word, the transactions they made were modest in scale.
The back-to-back World Series champions said publicly that a similar approach could be in the cards this offseason, but that lasted all of one day at this week's Winter Meetings.
For the second straight winter, the Dodgers were big spenders in the high-end relief market, agreeing to terms with closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million contract on Tuesday, according to a source (the team has yet to announce the deal). That takes care of the back end of the bullpen, L.A.'s biggest need.
Taking bigger swings during the offseason, rather than the regular season, is right in line with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman's philosophy. And his Dodgers aren't necessarily done.
The roster is already in a good enough spot that they could choose to improve on the margins moving forward. But if the right opportunity arises, they're not ruling out another notable free-agent signing.
"I would say we definitely can," Friedman said Tuesday. "Whether that makes the most sense within the timing of our roster -- there's so many factors that go into it, and any decision you make has a future cost. … Yes, we can. How likely it is is probably another question."
BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
Now that the bullpen has been addressed, the Dodgers can turn their attention toward upgrading the outfield. Teoscar Hernández appears to be staying put, despite rumors that he could be a trade candidate, but the door is open for him to move from right field to left. Andy Pages could remain in center field or take over in right if Hernández moves, but that could create a need for someone else who can play center because Tommy Edman's status for the start of the season is uncertain as he recovers from right ankle surgery.
With Alex Call, Ryan Ward and Esteury Ruiz also on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers might have enough pieces to get the job done. But adding another bat to lengthen the lineup would go a long way, and the outfield feels like the optimal position group to make that happen.
HE SAID IT
While the primary focus was on offseason transactions at the Winter Meetings, the upcoming World Baseball Classic was also top of mind. Shohei Ohtani has already announced his intention to play for Samurai Japan, but there has not been a decision on whether he'll hit and pitch in the tournament. Manager Dave Roberts has expressed his preference, though.
"I'm hoping he doesn't. But I don't know," Roberts said Monday. "He's very in tune with his body. But I would say probably the thought is he's probably just going to hit." More >>
RULE 5 DRAFT
The Dodgers did not depart from their tendencies in recent history and made no selections in Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft. They protected only two eligible prospects ahead of the deadline in November -- Ward and Ronan Kopp -- and none of the others were selected in the Major League phase.
MORE FROM THIS WEEK
• Hernández's name has surfaced in trade rumors, but general manager Brandon Gomes said trading him is "not something we anticipate at all." The door remains open on a potential position change, however. More >>
• Never mind that the Dodgers committed a closer's salary to Tanner Scott (four years, $72 million) last offseason. Their deal with Díaz, who turned down a qualifying offer from the Mets, showed that L.A. is willing to be more aggressive about adding to the bullpen than in previous years. More >>
• Jeff Kent, the all-time home run leader at second base who finished his big league career with the Dodgers, is bound for Cooperstown, N.Y., after being elected to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. The late, great Fernando Valenzuela, who was also on the ballot, received fewer than five votes and was not elected. More >>
GM’S BOTTOM LINE
Front offices are rarely completely upfront about offseason plans, but there is some merit to the messaging that the Dodgers do not need to make sweeping additions to put themselves in position to go for a third straight World Series. Then again, they tend to act upon any opportunities that are too good to pass up. They know they already have a talented roster, but they won't get complacent either.
"We've been very aggressive the last couple offseasons. There's not as many clear paths to make the team meaningfully better," Gomes said Monday. "We'll continue to evaluate what that looks like, whether that's via trade or free agency. Our mindset is always, when it makes sense to be aggressive, we will."