The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have already gotten straight to work, unwilling to settle for just one title.
Late on Tuesday, they signed left-hander and former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract. Their starting rotation is likely taken care of, but there are other areas that they are going to want to address.
Some of these needs could be addressed via trade, which means a top prospect or two could be on the move. Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report expects top prospect Daulton Rushing to be traded prior to the winter meetings.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers shifted Dalton Rushing to left field down the stretch, and with Will Smith signed to a long-term deal and backup Austin Barnes back for another year after his club option was exercised, that could be his future home," Reuter wrote.
"The 23-year-old has little left to prove in the minors offensively after hitting .273/.396/.511 with 15 extra-base hits in 169 plate appearances at Triple-A, giving him added appeal as a controllable, MLB-ready bat."
For the Dodgers to trade Rushing, the package will have to be quite a haul. They could potentially trade him if they are in the mix for one of the top closers available on the market. The Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals will expect major hauls in exchange for Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley, respectively.
This could also leave room for the Dodgers to re-sign Teoscar Hernandez and put him back in the outfield.
Rushing slashed .271/.385/.512 with 26 home runs, 85 RBI and 48 extra-base hits in the minors this year.
We'll see what kind of interest he generates this winter.
