Dodgers Reportedly Reached Out to Platinum Glove Outfielder Early in Free Agency
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to make a run at title number eight in 2024. The front office committed more than $1.2 billion in future salaries with nothing less in mind. Now, they'll look to follow an historic offseason with an even better regular season and postseason.
It's hard to imagine now, but the Dodgers reportedly did not sign every free agent they were engaged with.
According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Dodgers reached out to Platinum glove outfielder Kevin Kiermaier early in free agency.
He had options, too. The Twins called and had steady dialogue with his representatives. The Dodgers -- and their famously pristine lawn -- made an early inquiry. The Cubs and Giants checked in.
Kiermaier re-signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year deal in late December.
The 33-year-old spent the first ten years of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays last offseason, and will remain in Canada in 2024.
The Dodgers were also interested in Kiermaier last offseason before he joined Toronto. Los Angeles might have missed on him, but they were able to sign slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernández instead to bolster their depth chart.
The four-time gold glove winner didn't lose a step with his new team, earning his first Gold Glove Award since 2019.
Kiermaier's career .249 batting average, 90 home runs and 352 RBIs over the last 10 years point to his middling skills at the plate. As all of MLB knows, Kiermaier is a defensive machine in the outfield — something any team in any payroll bracket could use.
The Dodgers will instead move forward with second-year center fielder James Outman manning the middle of the outfield, and defensive stalwarts Manuel Margot and Chris Taylor in reserve.
