Dodgers Free Agent, Trade Rumors Still Include Bryce Harper, But Does LA Care More About Pitching?

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell short of an elusive World Series title for the second consecutive season in October, prompting renewed calls for the front office to make another determined push in 2019.

After sitting out last year's free agent market for payroll reasons, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has reportedly shown interest in prized outfielder Bryce Harper, though Los Angeles may consider starting pitching a more pressing priority than adding an elite slugger. Rich Hill, 38, is entering the final year of his contract, while Kenta Maeda has often looked more comfortable in his role as a reliever than a starter. The Dodgers also allowed an average of 5.6 runs to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

What also remains unclear is whether Friedman is deviating from his past strategy of pursuing players at the trade deadline while mostly sitting out the offseason. In the past, the Dodgers waited until after the All-Star break to acquire starter Yu Darvish and slugger Manny Machado but this year could be different based on certain players who could lift L.A. in the first half of the season.

The Dodgers reportedly have been linked to Cleveland Indians starters Corey Kluber, who will make $17 million in 2019, and Trevor Bauer, who is arbitration eligible after a career year. The Indians seem intent on moving one or both players for payroll reasons, but according to Jon Morsi of MLB.com, the team will hold off on deals until free-agent pitchers are off the market. That means Friedman may have to wait out the signings of Patrick Corbin, Nathan Eovaldi and Dallas Kuechel to simply pursue one of the two starters.

Los Angeles is also reportedly linked to Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who will be taking bids Tuesday. The Dodgers have a strong track record with foreign-born pitchers and Friedman might feel some lingering regret in missing out on Shohei Ohtani last year.

Should the Dodgers execute a trade, they may consider dealing one of their many outfielders. Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson are two players on the block. The farm system has two catchers, Keibert Ruiz and Will Smith, who could be available. As for pitching, the Indians might expect top prospect Dustin May in return for Kluber or Bauer.

So where does that leave Harper? Despite giving Clayton Kershaw a contract extension, the Dodgers still have money to sign Harper. The Dodgers are reportedly courting Harper with minority team owner Magic Johnson making a pitch and with a contract that will be the most lucrative in years.

However, it remains to be seen if the Dodgers will be outbid by numerous teams, such as the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies or the New York Yankees— four teams that reportedly have strong interest in the right fielder.

The Phillies seem to have more interest in the Manny Machado than Harper, but the big obstacle for the Dodgers might be the Yankees. New York has the resources to add yet another monster bat to the lineup and Friedman might feel that bolstering the rotation and then finding a bat at the trade deadline might be a wiser option than giving upwards of $300 million to Harper.