Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 Last-Minute Moves They Should Consider

The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their biggest remaining need by acquiring second baseman Logan Forsythe from the Tampa Bay Rays. 

The four-time defending National League champs enter the 2017 season as unequivocal contenders. FanGraphs foretells a 96-66 record, tops in the game, which would put the Dodgers on course to win their first title since 1988.

Still, in the waning days of the offseason, there are moves to be made in the bullpen and, possibly, the middle infield.

Let's start with the pen.

Re-Sign Right-Hander Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton posted a 2.48 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 80 innings last season for the Dodgers. 

The 36-year-old is a known commodity who can slot behind closer Kenley Jansen and solidify L.A.'s relief corps. If you want a rosy comparison, The Ringer's Zach Kram has you covered:

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Overall, Blanton’s numbers as a reliever over the past two seasons are a near match for those of Kansas City’s Kelvin Herrera. They both had 26 percent strikeout and 7 percent walk rates, they both allowed 0.7 home runs per nine innings, and they both held opposing hitters to a sub-.210 batting average.

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I'm not ready to call Blanton Herrera in sheep's clothing, but at this point in the offseason the big-spending Dodgers should be willing to shell out what it takes to retain Blanton's services.

"There are a number of really good relievers on the market, and Joe is obviously not lost on us," president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, per MLB.com's Austin Laymance. "He was a part of our success last year, and we have a tremendous amount of respect for him and that continues." 

Sign Left-Hander Jerry Blevins

If, on the other hand, Los Angeles decides it needs left-handed bullpen help, it could turn to Jerry Blevins.

The 33-year-old southpaw posted a 2.79 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 42 innings with the New York Mets in 2016. 

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

L.A. has an array of lefties in its bullpen mix, including Luis Avilan, Grant Dayton, Adam Liberatore, Vidal Nuno and Alex Wood.

Blevins, though, is a surer bet and has clicked on the front office's radar along with Blanton, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

There are other options from both sides, including ex-San Francisco Giant Javier Lopez (a lefty specialist) and Sergio Romo (a righty and Southern California native).

In late December, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reported Blevins was after a three-year deal worth around $5 million per season. It's possible his asking price has inched down with spring training nearly here.

Re-Sign Second Baseman Chase Utley

We mentioned Forsythe, for whom the Dodgers surrendered prized pitching prospect Jose De Leon. 

The 30-year-old hit .264 with 20 home runs for the Rays last season and boasts plus-three defensive runs saved at second base, per FanGraphs. I advocated for him as an alternative to the Minnesota Twins' power-hitting Brian Dozier in early January.

Forsythe's primary backup at the moment is Enrique Hernandez, who has versatility but slashed an underwhelming .190/.283/.324 in 2016.

For insurance, the Dodgers could reunite with veteran Chase Utley, who hit .252 with 14 home runs for the Dodgers last season.

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

"We like Chase and spent a lot of time talking about him this offseason," Friedman said, per Laymance. "[We] still feel like there's a lot of life left in the bat and what he can do defensively. I've never been around a player that has impacted the group more off the field than Chase Utley has, and that's something that we value significantly."

If Utley's amenable to a backup role in the twilight of his borderline Hall of Fame career, it could be a marriage ripped from a Hollywood romantic comedy (rom-com).

Utley has logged time at first and third base and would provide seasoned coverage around the infield and in the clubhouse. 

"We've maintained conversations with him throughout the offseason," Friedman added, per Laymance. "We give him a tremendous amount of respect. We'll continue to be open-minded. We love him and feel strongly about what he's done for this organization."

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.