LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers were shopping for a veteran catcher. He could have been the starting catcher. He did not need to be a star.
They were interested in bringing back Rod Barajas. He was coming off a season in which he had hit 16 home runs. He was 36. For a one-year stopgap, he would have been a fine fit.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Barajas. The Pirates agreed to pay him $4 million. The Dodgers were not sure whether they could afford that amount.