Outfielder Juan Soto became a free agent this offseason. Will the Dodgers, who just played him in the World Series, play for him?
(Wally Scully/Los Angeles Times)
As it stands, the most obvious holes on next year’s roster are in the outfield and starting rotation.
Even if the Dodgers put Betts in right field (he initially moved him to the infield before moving him back to the position later this year), the club is without a left fielder since Teoscar Hernandez became a free agent. They could play Edman at center, but only if they have another option at shortstop. They also have Pages, Taylor, and James Outman on their roster, but none of those three were able to solidify an everyday role this year.
That said, even after spending more than $1 billion last winter, the Dodgers could once again find themselves in the big free agency sweepstakes for superstar Juan Soto this offseason, especially if they don’t re-sign Hernandez. This is one of the reasons why.
As for the rotation, the Dodgers will need at least one new starting pitcher, if not multiple.
Between the limited workloads of Ohtani, May, Gonsolin and Kershaw, and the six-day routine Yamamoto followed this year after arriving from Japan, a six-man rotation could be a partial option. Next season’s.
And unless they plan to rely entirely on unproven prospects, they’ll need to shore up their depth.
At the top of the free agent starting pitching market are former Cy Young Award winners Blake Snell (whom the Dodgers missed late in the offseason) and Corbin Burnes (whom the Dodgers once had trade interest in). There are many talented players such as: The same goes for Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried.
The Dodgers are also eyeing up-and-coming 23-year-old talented Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who could be traded to an MLB club this winter.
Another name the Dodgers will keep an eye on this offseason is shortstop Willie Adames. He has ties to President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman dating back to his time in Tampa Bay.
If the Dodgers choose to use Edman full-time in center field, a player like Adames could be a good candidate to add a big name to fill the shortstop void, especially after hitting a career-high 32 home runs last year. There is sex.
