One of baseball’s top defensive infielders, who is set to enter free agency after this season, could be an interesting target for the Dodgers to pursue on the open market.

If Matt Chapman, who is currently with the Toronto Blue Jays, receives a deal from LA’s front office in the coming winter, Chavez Ravine might hear his name spoken. Among several other prospective destinations, Jon Heyman of the New York Post linked Chapman to LA.

The Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mariners, Yankees, and, of course, the current Blue Jays all seem like probable landing spots for Matt Chapman, the second-best free agency position player after Cody Bellinger.

courtesy of Jon Heyman, New York Post

As a third baseman who is aging and has defensive issues, Max Muncy may be released by the Dodgers because they have a club option on him through 2024.

Chapman might take Muncy’s place in the infield after the team has struggled to find a reliable shortstop in recent years as both Corey Seager and Trea Turner decided to pursue other opportunities.

While they are both doing fairly well for themselves in 2023 with the Rangers and the Phillies, respectively, the additional funds made available by the decision to let them go may be utilized to hire Chapman.

Since leaving Oakland, there has been a void at third base. The former Athletic was traded to the Blue Jays in their firesale in 2021, resulting in his placement in Canada.

With only 10 home runs, Chapman’s season at the plate hasn’t been the best in terms of average or power, but his analytics still rank well above those of the rest of the league on both sides of the ball.

Muncy’s excellent eye at the plate and reliable power would be difficult to replace, but his infield defense has cost the Dodgers some games this year.

If LA contracts Chapman, this dilemma would no longer exist because the Platinum Glove winner will undoubtedly help LA contend for a championship in 2024 and beyond.

In addition, if the team decided not to trade Muncy straight away, he could always be moved back to second base on the right side of the diamond.