No team embodies the "win-now" mentality quite like the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since capturing their last World Series title in 2020, the Dodgers have continuously positioned themselves as perennial contenders, exemplified by their consistent playoff appearances since 2012.
This past offseason, the Dodgers made significant headlines by landing premier talents such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernández through a combination of free agency and trades. As Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes noted, "The Dodgers spent a veritable truckload of cash last offseason to land the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernández in both free agency and trades."
Injuries Impact Contender's Depth
Entering the current season, the Dodgers have been holding the first-place spot despite their roster being severely impacted by injuries. Key players, including Mookie Betts, have been sidelined, with a mounting injured list that includes Yamamoto, Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Walker Buehler. Additionally, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Emmet Sheehan have been unavailable for significant stretches, and Bobby Miller was optioned back to the minors to gain further experience.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers have maintained their standing in the league with contributions from a rotation comprising James Paxton, Landon Knack, Gavin Stone, and Justin Wrobleski. The team expects some relief with Tyler Glasnow scheduled to start on Wednesday and hopes placed on Clayton Kershaw making his 2024 debut on Thursday. Betts, Max Muncy, and Jason Heyward are also anticipated to return from injury soon, providing much-needed reinforcement.
Trade Deadline Expectations
As the trade deadline approaches, the Dodgers are anticipated to remain active in the market, showcasing their unyielding determination to fortify their roster. Gomes emphasized that recent injury woes have not altered the team's proactive strategy ahead of the deadline, stating, "Recent injuries to the team didn't change how they'd operate in front of the trade deadline."
The Dodgers have identified several potential trade targets, including Mason Miller, Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet, Chris Bassitt, and Kevin Gausman. In addition, Erick Fedde has been excelling for the White Sox following a stint in Korea and could be a consideration for bolstering their ranks. Edgardo Henriquez has also surfaced in trade discussions, showcasing the extensive scouting and negotiation efforts in place.
The organization remains acutely aware of the importance of bullpen depth, an area where they could see improvement. Reflecting on this need, an industry source underscored, "Everyone could use bullpen depth, including the Dodgers."
Future Outlook
Looking forward, the Dodgers anticipate integrating Shohei Ohtani into their rotation for the 2024 season, a significant addition that will undoubtedly strengthen their pitching staff. However, the future contracts of both Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler loom over the club, as both players will become free agents after the current season, prompting potential off-season challenges in retaining their services.
Within the farm system, the Dodgers are diligently developing their next wave of talent, with prospects Diego Cartaya and Dalton Rushing honing their skills at Triple-A and Double-A, respectively. This depth in the minor leagues provides the organization with options to call up emerging talents or use them as assets in potential trades to enhance the major league roster further.
With a history of aggressive moves and strategic planning, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to exemplify the "win-now" mentality. Their recent and prospective actions underscore a profound commitment to staying competitive and maintaining their status as one of baseball's elite franchises.