LA’s prospects may ride on big deal

Five issues facing the Dodgers:

The Dodgers tried to sign ace Gerrit Cole but did not try for third baseman Anthony Rendon. Now they are hitting the trade market.

They badly want Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado or Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.

Certainly, the Dodgers have the money and a plethora of prospects. They have told teams they won’t give up prized infielder Gavin Lux and are quite hesitant to surrender top pitching prospect Dustin May but are open for talks on virtually everyone else.

future:

The Dodgers were shopping shortstop Corey Seager during the winter in hopes of landing Lindor, troubled by Seager’s injury history and wondering if his future might be more suited for another infield position. They were involved in serious trade talks with Cleveland and the Reds about a threeway deal sending Seager to Cincinnati with Lindor coming to the Dodgers and Cleveland landing prospects from both teams.

If Seager stays, how long will he be there considering Lux is ready to be an everyday player? And if he’s there, how will he react to knowing the Dodgers were including him in trade proposals this winter?

position:

Veteran third baseman Justin Turner’s contract expires at the end of the season, which could mark his final one in Los Angeles. The Dodgers believe he’s much more suited for first base.

If they can’t get Arenado, do the Dodgers pursue Bryant, who’s being shopped by the Cubs? Their dream scenario would be acquiring Arenado, who’s from the Los Angeles area, and moving Turner to third base.

bullpen:

The Dodgers’ bullpen was a mess down the stretch last year, and little was done to change it. Kenley Jansen still is the closer. Joe Kelly, Pedro

Baez and Ross Stripling will still have key roles. The only new reliever is former Athletics closer Blake Treinen, who melted down last year with a 4.91 ERA and 1.619 WHIP and eventually was non-tendered during the offseason.

So if Jansen struggles again this year after blowing a career-high eight saves last season, who’s going to replace him?

fans:

Dodgers’ fans are infuriated and want answers. It’s bad enough they feel they were cheated from

two World Series titles by the Astros, who have been implicated in a signstealing scandal, but they are demanding the front office to bring in a marquee star. They want the front office to go for a game changer.

RICHARD MACKSON/USA TODAY SPORTS A trade for a big-name player could affect where Justin Turner plays, either at first or third base, for the Dodgers.