Fansided

Ranking the top contenders to sign Stephen Strasburg

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) laughs after not getting a called strike three in the seventh inning of Game Three of the NLCS between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) laughs after not getting a called strike three in the seventh inning of Game Three of the NLCS between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is greeted by teammates during player introduction prior to Game 3 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 6, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is greeted by teammates during player introduction prior to Game 3 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 6, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have enough money to sign one of this winter’s big three and have rarely been this involved in the free-agent market in the early going. During their current run of division titles and World Series appearances, the team has mostly preferred to pass on other teams’ players, saving their big spending for their own like Justin Turner, Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw. An unceremonious exit in the NLDS seems to have changed their thinking on that approach.

There are a lot of options for the Dodgers as they look to fill their remaining $30 million under the tax threshold. Armed with top prospects Gavin Lux and Dustin May, the team may look to pull off a big trade for Mookie Betts or one of the Chicago Cubs young stars. Dealing away a potential superstar has not typically been something Andrew Friedman and his front office would even be willing to consider. With enough money to spend on the open market, expect the Dodgers to look to make a big signing over a big trade.

light. Related Story. Which MLB teams have the best chance to sign Josh Donaldson

If Stephen Strasburg is going to Los Angeles, it will be to the Dodgers, not the Angels. The Dodgers are a historic franchise, just one more star away from another trip to the World Series. They should be the favorites to come out of the National League regardless of their offseason moves. Signing an ace or a big bat would only cement their status. It’s completely unclear whether the Dodgers prefer one of the starting pitchers or third baseman Anthony Rendon.

Strasburg is going to be able to take his pick of landing spots, and if the Dodgers can sell him on their location relatively close to his hometown, history, contender status and chance to pitch with Kershaw, he just might leave Washington.

Home/MLB