3 moves Dodgers can make to answer Padres Blake Snell trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers watched the rival San Diego Padres acquire ace Blake Snell. But, they can still show their dominance by making one of these three moves in response.

This MLB Hot Stove season has been rather slow, which was understandable given that it was all virtual due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But on Sunday, the San Diego Padres kicked down the door and showed they weren’t messing around by acquiring ace pitcher Blake Snell in a blockbuster trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Padres continued to show they were all in on winning a World Series on Monday, as they signed Korean Baseball Organization star Ha-Seong Kim to a multi-year contract and are on the verge of acquiring Yu Darvish in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

While that’s all well and good, the Padres are still in the same division as the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions. The Dodgers have shown over the years that they’re not afraid of spending money and trading top prospects to compete on an annual basis. With the Padres trying to usurp them for the NL West crown, here are three moves the Dodgers can make to answer the Snell trade.

Trade for Nolan Arenado

Entering this offseason, the biggest position of need the Dodgers need to address is at third base, as Justin Turner’s an unrestricted free agent, who may or may not return to the team in 2021. But the Dodgers must realize there are better options available to man the hot corner. One of them is Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Earlier this year, Arenado let the public know that he wasn’t too happy with how he was being treated by the Rockies organization. Pair that with the fact that Arenado has an opt out clause following the 2021 season should give Colorado the desire to get something in return for their star third baseman. Enter the Dodgers, who have been none too shy about surrendering top-tier prospects for superstars. In fact, MLB insider Jon Heyman noted that the Dodgers are the best trade option for the Rockies.

It may sting for the Rockies to send their best player to a division rival, but the premium return should help ease the pain a bit.

Sign DJ LeMahieu

If the Arenado deal doesn’t pan out, the Dodgers can look to the open market for a new infielder. Of course, we’re talking about DJ LeMahieu.

The New York Yankees managed to sign LeMahieu on a cheap two-year deal in 2019, and it paid off tremendously for them. LeMahieu won consecutive Silver Slugger awards, was named a member of the 2019 AL All Star team and finished in third-place for the AL MVP award this past season. He was the best player on the Yankees these past two seasons.

Shockingly, the Yankees are playing hardball for the multi-position infielder, with some reports saying that they’re a full $25 million apart. To further add to the drama, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Dodgers could potentially make a run for LeMahieu. The Yankees better reach an agreement with LeMahieu, because the Dodgers wouldn’t hesitate to add him to their batting order in 2021.

Sign Trevor Bauer

This is probably the best way for the Dodgers to respond to the Padres. “You’re adding an ace. That’s cool, we’ll add one of our own.”

Following the Snell trade and the upcoming Darvish trade, the best player in both free agency and the trade block is Trevor Bauer. This past season with the Cincinnati Reds, Bauer recorded league-highs in ERA (1.73), complete games (two), shutouts (two), ERA+ (276), WHIP (0.795) and hits per nine innings (5.1). That helped Bauer win the NL Cy Young award and made him the most coveted player on the open market.

As mentioned with LeMahieu, Joel Sherman also said that the Dodgers could pounce on signing Bauer. The Dodgers aren’t afraid to spend money if it’ll lead them to the postseason. And come on, you’d think Los Angeles would pass up on putting Bauer alongside Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Julio Urias? Of course they wouldn’t!