USA Today via Reuters
Oct 20, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) reacts with first base coach Clayton McCullough (86) after an injury in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves during game four of the 2021 NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 20, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) reacts with first base coach Clayton McCullough (86) after an injury in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves during game four of the 2021 NLCS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Seems like MLB players are not the only ones who are affected by the ongoing lockout. Apart from players and fans, MLB teams are facing the wrath of this stoppage on business as well. Notably, ever since the owners have imposed the lockout in Major League Baseball, players and MLB teams are prohibited from negotiating any kind of deals. This makes it more difficult for those players who are in free agency and are yet to sign a deal with a franchise.
Now, the Los Angeles Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, has dropped a bomb to tease the Dodgers’ fans. Roberts said that he might be in contact with a free agent to make him sign for the Dodgers. Not to forget, after the 2021 season, the Dodgers might be the most affected team by the lockout.
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As soon as the 2021 season ended, players like Danny Duffy, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Knebel, Jimmy Nelson, Albert Pujols, Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, Steven Souza Jr., and Chris Taylor became free agents; that’s almost half of their squad. And what is even more troubling for the Dodgers is that they couldn’t sign their key players. Few of them even switched their franchise before the lockout, while some are still in free agency.
Read more: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to Finally Address Fans Amidst MLB Lockout
Los Angeles Dodgers manager preparing for the end of the lockout
With players like Corey Seager and Max Scherzer already gone, the Dodgers manager would hate to see another one leave. As soon as the lockout ends, the Dodgers might start negotiating with their other star player Clayton Kershaw for a new contract. Because if they lose the core players of the squad, then it will be difficult for them to compete with other teams in the league.
Before the lockout, Dave Roberts had his eye on a certain free agent.
Any idea who it might be? pic.twitter.com/kVJ3y2renk
— Dodger Yard (@DodgerYard) February 9, 2022
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However, the Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, might have some good news for the fans. While speaking to Andy McCullough of The Athletic, he teased the Dodgers’ fans by saying that he might have been in contact with a free agent.
“I might have been on the phone with a potential free agent to let him know how much we want to have him,” Roberts said. “I’ll leave it at that.”
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All the core players of the Dodgers have either switched their team or are free agents. Bearing this in mind, it will surely be interesting to see how the team moves forward for the 2022 season.
