Washington Nationals: Handicapping the Bryce Harper sweepstakes
By Danny Kelly
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers should not be counted on out any free agents. The Dodgers television revenue alone is a 25-year contract that will pay them $8.35 billion, netting them approximately $334 million per year.
According to the LA Times, the Dodgers are planning to stay under the luxury tax threshold for the foreseeable future. That seems like a bizarre stance considering these are the same Dodgers that were throwing money around in free agency and operating with the highest payroll in baseball for four consecutive seasons, a streak that finally ended this past season.
So, is that just a cover-up to make it seem like they aren’t interested? Maybe, but historically, that’s just not how Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, works. Friedman came over from the Rays, operating in one of the smallest markets in Major League Baseball and in his four years with the Dodgers, has never handed out a $100 million free agent contract. In his eyes, he still might not need to, being that the Dodgers still have a top 10 farm system according to many experts.
After two consecutive World Series losses though, ownership may step in and decide this is the time to go for it. After all, adding Harper to a lineup with Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Cody Bellinger would be pretty daunting.
The ability to come up with the money to sign Harper isn’t the issue for the Dodgers. The need for Harper and the ability of Boras to convince Dodgers ownership that Harper can put them over the top is what’s in question.
Odds of signing Harper: 12 to 1