With Spring Training fast approaching, it seems that baseball writers and fans have the Dodgers interested in any MLB player, free agent or not, who might help lead the Dodgers through the 2019 regular season and achieve the elusive goal of World Champion. Andrew Friedman and his front office team do a great job of keeping their plans close-to-the-vest (as they should) until a deal is actually complete, leaving fans who enjoy a good “Hot Stove League” grasping for any tidbits of supposition to discuss amongst themselves.

On Monday, LA Times Dodgers beat writer Jorge Castillo wrote: “Dave Roberts says the Dodgers still need to add a proven right-handed hitter,” which added some clarity to the Dodgers roster status. For example, in the article Roberts said “…shortstop Seager, who sat out most of last season because of elbow and hip injuries, would be ‘100 percent ready to go’ for spring training.”

That is wonderful news for Dodger fans. Many times we are told that rehabbing players will be ready by Opening Day, but knowing that the Dodgers will have one of the best shortstops in MLB ready for spring training is a great way to begin the 2019 campaign.

Castillo went on to quote Roberts about the catching duo of Austin Barnes and Russell Martin, who are slated to split time: “I think the leadership in the clubhouse and the defensive metrics still make sense. And I think there’s an upside to the bat. The at-bat quality … the quality of contact is still there. It was his worst season offensively, but we’re betting on the upside to pair with Austin.”

Roberts also did not beat-around-the-bush concerning the need to add an established right-handed bat: “The left-handed hitters that we have, the defense, with the addition of [Corey] Seager with us, is going to be huge. But now to kind of balance out the lineup with a right-handed bat, probably makes it a little better.”

So, who might be that “established, right-handed bat” be?

Kindling has definitely been added to the “Hot Stove.”

    *    *    *    *    *