Dodgers Rumors: LA Linked to Multi-Time All-Star Free Agent Starting Pitcher
The Dodgers biggest priority heading into the offseason is going to be starting pitching after their rotation doomed them in the postseason. It was shaky all season long, but we saw just how bad they could be in their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The team will be getting a boost from Walker Buehler returning to the rotation after missing the entire 2023 season, but they also need more help. One name that could be in play for the Dodgers is veteran starter Sonny Gray, who put together a solid year for the Minnesota Twins.
“Still, it’s hard to see a Dodgers team focused on title contention going with such an inexperienced group, and even if Kershaw comes back on another one-year deal, a veteran like Gray could still be on the shopping list.”
Gray put up 32 starts for Minnesota this season, posting an ERA of 2.79 during that time. He also put up a WHIP of 1.15 and struck out 183 batters over 184 innings of work.
Gray was nothing short of efficient in 2023, and it should see him receive a nice payday. He helped the Twins win the AL Central and was a major reason for their rise this season.
He didn’t perform the way that he would have liked in the postseason against the Houston Astros, giving up four runs over four innings. But his season as a whole should still see him land a multi-year deal this offseason.
"At 33 years old, Sonny Gray is unlikely to secure a long-term, nine-figure contract, but that doesn't mean he won't be one of the highest-paid free agents in terms of annual average value."
Gray makes sense for the Dodgers because he wouldn’t cost them as much as some of the others on the free-agent market, and he could provide them with some stability heading into the year. He has appeared in at least 24 games in his last five full seasons, not including the shortened 2020 year.
If the Dodgers don’t want to repeat the same mistakes from this season, they would be wise to boost up their rotation with a few top starters from the market or trades. Gray could be one of those pitchers, and maybe he is calling Chavez Ravine home next season.
