Moves the Dodgers Must Try to Pull off at the 2013 MLB Winter Meetings

Ned Colletti’s Los Angeles Dodgers will head into the winter meetings out of the public eye. They have laid low for much of the offseason so far. However, the Dodgers are still at the center of some rumors.

Matt Kemp’s name has come up in connection with the Boston Red Sox, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Meanwhile, according to Jon Morosi at Fox, the Seattle Mariners and their infield situation is a bit up in the air.

This offseason has moved at a rapid pace. Big names have changed zip codes much earlier in the winter than usual, which means that certain teams—the Dodgers among them—are at risk of letting the opportunity to upgrade pass them by. 

What Needs Fixing?

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The Dodgers actually have what is basically a set roster. With a multitude of long-term contracts, there aren’t very many spots that are even open for Colletti to mess with.

In fact, only third base—where Juan Uribe is a free agent—is in need of immediate help.

The Dodgers have a surplus of outfielders, and they appear to be willing to trade any of their three veterans in Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier or Carl Crawford. 

Re-Signing Juan Uribe

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Uribe was an excellent player for the Dodgers in 2013. According to FanGraphs, he posted 5.1 wins above replacement.

While he is unlikely to repeat anything along those lines, he proved he still has some life left in him.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports said last month that the Dodgers are interested in bringing Uribe back, but that the third baseman is looking for a longer deal.

Heyman acknowledged three years would be a stretch, instead suggesting a two-year deal would be ideal for the Dodgers. While not long enough to significantly hurt them, it would provide a bridge until super prospect Corey Seager is ready.

Trading an Outfielder

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Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier are all big league outfielders. The problem is, there are only three spots in a lineup for those four names.

Knowing this, Ned Colletti would be wise to test the market and see what he could get for any of his expensive hitters.

With Kemp, Ethier and Crawford all drawing interest, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden, Colletti will have his options. Whether or not he gets a tempting offer is a legitimate question, but he should pursue all possible targets in hopes of clearing his logjam.