The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a huge World Series win this fall, but that won't stop them from being aggressive this winter.
Los Angeles isn't afraid of a big contract and somehow still can afford to hand out another one. Shohei Ohtani's creative mega deal is a big reason why. He actually deferred most of the money and won't get heavily paid by Los Angeles for years. This makes it easier for the Dodgers to go out and add more firepower to the organization.
The Dodgers likely will be looking to add some pitching this winter and MLB.com's staff predicted they will end up winning the bidding war for Atlanta Braves star Max Fried.
"1. Dodgers (29 percent), 2. (Chicago Cubs) (21 percent), 3. (San Diego Padres) (13 percent)," MLB.com said. "No pitcher has posted a better ERA over the past half-decade than Fried. His 2.81 ERA since 2020 leads all big league pitchers during that stretch.
"Fried first established himself as a true ace during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when he went 7-0 with a 2.25 ERA over 11 starts. He's put up a 3.25 ERA or better in each of the four seasons since, including a 2.48 ERA in 2022 when he finished second in (National League) Cy Young Award voting. Fried will turn 31 in January, but he's proven he can be a top-end starter for a contender."
Los Angeles seemingly has an endless amount of money. Fried is projected to get a six-year, $136 million deal this offseason. Maybe that will end up being with the Dodgers.
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