Let's take a look at the latest MLB rumors, including the Los Angeles Dodgers potentially eyeing a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, plus some notes on a pair of National League Central rivals in the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers.
MLB rumors: Could Los Angeles Dodgers land Bo Bichette in a trade?
If the Dodgers are indeed looking to make a big impact this offseason, there are other names potentially on the team's wish list besides Shohei Ohtani. In fact, Los Angeles could be looking to make a major upgrade at shortstop.
In an article for MLB.com by Juan Toribio, he writes that the Dodgers are hopeful that Gavin Lux will be able to return to the team after suffering a knee injury in March. That injury set in place a domino effect that eventually landed Miguel Rojas at Chavez Ravine after a trade with the Miami Marlins. Rojas, however, would post just a 66 OPS+ as he slashed .236/.290/.322 in 423 plate appearances.
The Dodgers could certainly upgrade at shortstop, and Lux would do just that. However, Los Angeles also has to have a backup plan should Lux not be ready to take over the position to start the season. With that in mind, Toribio writes, "The Dodgers, however, will continue to monitor the trade market for a shortstop, mainly Milwaukee's Willy Adames and Toronto's Bo Bichette."
Bichette enters 2024 in the middle of a three-year, $33.6 million deal. He has led the American League in hits in two of the last three seasons and earned his second All-Star nod in 2023. The Blue Jays would likely have to be blown away to send Bichette to the Dodgers, but it seems Los Angeles is certainly keeping an eye on things north of the border.
Could Dodgers also make deals with the Milwaukee Brewers?
You might have noticed in the previous quote about Bichette that there was another shortstop also mentioned who could be of interest to the Dodgers, and that's Milwaukee's Willy Adames. The 28-year-old Adames is under team control for the 2024 campaign and made $8,7 million last season while slashing .217/.310/.407. Adames did post an OPS+ of 95 thanks in part to the 24 home runs he hit and 80 runs he drove in. Those numbers also pushed Adames to log 3.0 bWAR, the fourth-highest total for the Brewers.
With Milwaukee reportedly "open to moving virtually any player on its roster," it certainly wouldn't be a surprise for any team needing a shortstop (including potentially the Dodgers) to check in on the availability of Adames.
Milwaukee being willing to listen to offers, of course, doesn't just stop with Adames. Los Angeles also needs pitching and that's where former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes will likely pop up in rumors connected with the Dodgers. Like Adames, Burnes isn't scheduled to be a free agent until the 2025 season, but the time could be right for the Brewers to move him, especially if the Dodgers are ready to improve their rotation via trades.
Toribio writes, "On the trade market, the Dodgers will check in on Dylan Cease, Corbin Burnes and Tyler Glasnow." Those are some big names, but pitching is a big area of concern for Los Angeles heading into the offseason.
Chicago Cubs looking to add Rhys Hoskins?
According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma in an article for The Athletic (subscription required), the Cubs could look to bring Hoskins over from the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason to fill a need for the team at first base.
"With an opening at first base and a need for a middle-of-the-order hitter, the Cubs view Rhys Hoskins as a good fit for their roster, league sources said, seeing it as another opportunity to add an impact player with postseason experience without having to go long on a contract," the duo wrote.
That short-term contract could give the Cubs a win in the chase for Hoskins after it worked well for Cody Bellinger last season. With the former National League MVP looking to prove he could return to form, the Cubs signed Bellinger to a one-year, $17.5 million deal. With his play last season, he parlayed that into what will likely be a solid payday this offseason.
Hoskins (who is represented by Scott Boras, just like Bellinger) is looking to prove that he can rebound from a knee injury suffered in spring training in March, so the Cubs could once again take a chance on a power hitter who needs to show he can still be that "impact player."
If it worked for Bellinger on the North Side, it could potentially work for Hoskins as well, giving the Cubs a potential leg up in the race to land him.