The Los Angeles Dodgers won 98 games last season and the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers added stars to their roster after their World Series win. They are the heavy favorites to win the World Series again this season.
It is not a stretch to say they have All-Stars at nearly every position. They have so many pitchers they may have a six-man rotation. This is good because they have two starting pitchers who pitched in Japan, where they have six-man rotations. Would you be disappointed if the Los Angeles Dodgers did not win the World Series?
Starting Rotation
High expectations can yield disappointment, and expectations for the Los Angeles Dodgers are sky-high. In the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent Blake Snell as a frontline starting pitcher. Snell produces a near 50% swing and miss rate and has won the Cy Young Award twice. Add him to last year’s big acquisition from Japan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and you have a formidable two. Yamamoto was known for his durability in Japan. Though he hurt his shoulder last season, he had a great end to it.
There is no reason he cannot pitch very well this season.
It gets even better for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani seems recovered from his elbow surgery and is ready to pitch. Tyler Glasnow is also in the starting pitching rotation for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Glasnow has the build and the stuff to be an ace on most pitching staffs, though he is only the fourth starter on this one. The fifth starter is this year’s Japanese sensation, Roki Sasaki. Sasaki was fantastic in Japan. The Los Angeles Dodgers have high expectations for him.
Los Angeles Dodgers Bullpen
The Dodgers’ two free-agent signings, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, will be at the end of their bullpen. Scott will be the closer. Yates will set him up. Scott came over from the San Diego Padres and Yates pitched last year for the Texas Rangers. Blake Treinen can also close for the Dodgers, as he did last year. He has remade himself into a sinkerball pitcher.
Michael Kopech throws nearly 100 MPH and is yet another good late-inning option. Brusdar Graterol, Anthony Banda, and Ben Casparius provide depth as of now. Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Bobby Miller could pitch this year.
Catcher
Will Smith is the primary catcher for the Dodgers. He was an All-Star last season. He seemingly wore down as he caught 121 games for them. He is one of the best in the majors at his position. This is also only the third year of a 10-year contract. He will be in Los Angeles for a long time. Given that Smith wore down last season, the backup catcher is very important. Austin Barnes fills that role reliably.
Infield
The depth is vast for the Dodgers. They have so many players on the infield, that their substitutes could start for many teams. World Series MVP Freddie Freeman is hoping his success in the World Series will carry over into the 2025 season. The Dodgers hope so as well. Miguel Rojas has the inside track to play second base for the Dodgers. He is an outstanding defender and a good contact hitter. However, this is the one position where the Dodgers do not have an All-Star. Tommy Edman is a capable backup.
As shortstop the Dodgers will try all-world player Mookie Betts. Betts’ natural position is right field, but he played shortstop admirably for 116 games last season. Nobody questions his bat. At third base, the Dodgers have Max Muncy. Muncy is a great power hitter. Enrique Hernandez backs him up and is very capable in his own right.
Outfield
The Dodgers have three reliable starters in the outfield. The right fielder is Teoscar Hernandez. He has hit at least 25 home runs in each of his five professional seasons. Michael Conforto is the Dodgers left fielder. Conforto is keeping the spot warm for some of the Dodgers’ outstanding prospects, but he did manage 20 home runs last year.
He was signed as a free agent from the San Francisco Giants before last season. He played seven seasons with the New York Mets. Edman has the inside path to playing center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he may be more useful at one of the infield positions.
Designated Hitter
The designated hitter will be Shohei Ohtani. Being the designated hitter for the Dodgers will save him for every fifth or sixth day when he pitches. Ohtani came over to the Dodgers after spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. He is a fantastic hitter, maybe the best in the world. All he did last year was hit 54 home runs for the Dodgers. When the phenom pitches, expect the at-bats as designated hitter to rotate through the other talented hitters who play for the Dodgers.
Management
Andrew Friedman is the President of Baseball Operations. The Dodgers’ vast resources make his job easier, but he has only known success in his role with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The same was true when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays. Owner Mark Walter and his ownership group have deep pockets and a propensity to spend money. Manager Dave Roberts has won eight National League West division titles in his 10 years and often goes with his gut, despite the analytical bent of the Dodgers.
Conclusion
High expectations can yield disappointment. The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to win the World Series. However, winning the World Series is difficult. Baseball requires lots of luck. The Dodgers need to guard against being disappointed.
