Report: Dodgers are favorites to sign leading free agent infielder

Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be alive and well in the MLB playoffs, but they are already prepping for what might be another big-spending offseason.

The Dodgers are expected to pursue shortstop Willy Adames in free agency and are viewed around the league as favorites to sign him, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Adames is expected to command as much as $200 million on the open market, and could also draw interest from the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants.

The Dodgers have had a hole at shortstop since Corey Seager left for the Texas Rangers following the 2021 season. They even tried to have Mookie Betts play there this season, but ultimately moved away from that late in the year. Veteran Miguel Rojas played there to start the playoffs before getting hurt, but even beyond that, he is not a long-term solution.

Adames certainly would be. The 29-year-old is coming off his best season with the Milwaukee Brewers, having hit .251 with 32 home runs. The Dodgers’ front office knows him well, as team president Andrew Friedman acquired him with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014.

Reports suggested the Dodgers actually had interest in trading for Adames last winter. This offseason might be their chance to finally land him.