1 obvious move for Dodgers to make and 1 to avoid after signing Noah Syndergaard

1 move the Dodgers have to avoid after Syndergaard signing

The Dodgers might be tempted to go all-in on incumbent Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon. While Rodon is supremely talented — he led the league in strikeouts per nine innings last year at 12.0 — his price will be sky-high and rising with other massive teams involved in the chase for him.

The New York Yankees have been focused in on Rodon since before they even brought back Aaron Judge. If the Dodgers enter the chase, the price will only rise with two major-market, big-spending teams bidding for him. Plus, his agent, Scott Boras, has secured over a billion dollars worth of deals for his clients this winter. He’s out for straight cash.

Rodon is already rumored to be seeking $180 million over six years ($30 million AAV), and the Dodgers just frankly don’t need more pitching. It’s one of the areas they’re positioned to win at in 2023 without further additions. For comparison, they got Kershaw for $15M and Syndergaard for $13M this season.

Here’s who they have, and their ERA last season, as well as their 2023 salary:

• Noah Syndergaard (3.94)
• Clayton Kershaw (2.28)
• Julio Urias (2.16)
• Tony Gonsolin (2.14)
• Dustin May (4.50)
• Walker Buehler* (4.02)

*Walker Buehler underwent surgery and may not pitch next year. 

Rodon would add some swag to the overall lack of signings the Dodgers made this offseason, but spending just to spend isn’t the right move. There are more important areas of the roster to address. Los Angeles lost OF Cody Bellinger (who hasn’t performed great the last few years, anyway), and it looks as if Justin Turner could sign elsewhere, too.

Rodon would be fun, but not at the price he’ll command.