The Los Angeles Dodgers are riding high after winning the 2024 World Series. And while detractors will inevitably point to their robust payroll, it’s worth noting the adversity they overcame en route to the title. By the postseason, the Dodgers’ pitching staff was decimated, with seven starters on the injured list, forcing bullpen games to fill out the rotation. Meanwhile, key players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani battled through significant injuries.
Despite these hurdles, the Dodgers triumphed—and with a healthier roster, they could be even stronger in 2025. However, Andrew Friedman and his front office team still have plenty of work ahead to shore up the roster and address lingering gaps. Here’s a breakdown of their offseason priorities and potential moves.
Key Free Agents
- OF Teoscar Hernández
- SP Walker Buehler
- SP Jack Flaherty
- SP Clayton Kershaw
- RP Blake Treinen
- RP Joe Kelly
- UT Enrique Hernández
Teoscar Hernández was an unsung hero in 2024, thriving in a star-studded lineup that included MVP-caliber seasons from Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts. With a 137 OPS+, 33 home runs, and a career-best 4.3 WAR, he played a critical role in the middle of the order. Re-signing him would provide much-needed continuity in the outfield.
The rotation presents a different puzzle. Buehler and Flaherty are unlikely to return together, and Kershaw’s future is, as always, contingent on his desire to continue playing. In the bullpen, Treinen’s postseason contributions make him a likely candidate for a new deal, while Kelly’s struggles and age suggest his time in LA may be over. Kiké Hernández remains a wild card, as his history with the Dodgers could lead to yet another reunion.
Biggest Needs
1. Outfield
With Betts reportedly shifting to the infield, the Dodgers’ outfield depth is alarmingly thin. The current group consists of James Outman, Andy Pages, and Tommy Edman, with Chris Taylor as a utility option. If Betts stays in right field, the focus shifts to filling infield gaps, but otherwise, LA will need one or two significant additions to the outfield—whether by retaining Hernández or targeting free agents like Juan Soto.
2. Infield Depth
If Betts remains in the infield, he could slot in alongside Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, and others like Taylor, Edman, or Miguel Rojas. However, this arrangement might expose weaknesses at shortstop. Adding a capable middle infielder would solidify the lineup and allow greater flexibility with other positions.
3. Rotation Reinforcements
The Dodgers’ rotation is simultaneously stacked and fragile. While Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Shohei Ohtani form an impressive core, injuries are a major concern. Yamamoto and Glasnow dealt with shoulder issues in 2024, while May, Gonsolin, and Ohtani are all recovering from major elbow surgeries. The rotation’s potential is immense, but adding a durable arm—or retaining one of Buehler or Flaherty—could provide critical insurance.
Top Targets
1. Juan Soto (OF)
The most obvious fit if Betts stays in the infield, Soto would add elite offensive production to an outfield in need of star power. However, rumors suggest the Dodgers are more interested in driving up his price for competitors than signing him themselves.
2. Roki Sasaki (SP)
The Japanese phenom is poised to join MLB in 2025, and the Dodgers have long been favorites to land him. At just 22 years old, Sasaki posted a 2.35 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 111 innings last season. His arrival could inject fresh energy into a rotation laden with injury questions.
3. Teoscar Hernández (OF)
A logical and cost-effective alternative to Soto, Hernández would maintain lineup stability and allow the Dodgers to focus their financial resources elsewhere.
4. Willy Adames (SS)
The Dodgers have shown interest in Adames before, and his stellar 2024 campaign—highlighted by 32 homers, 112 RBI, and 21 stolen bases—makes him an ideal solution at shortstop. Acquiring him would allow Betts to stay in right field while boosting the infield’s overall defense.
5. High-End Starters: Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell
If the Dodgers opt to make a splash in the pitching market, Burnes and Snell are top-tier options. Both would elevate the rotation while alleviating concerns about its durability.
6. Trade Options
- Mason Miller (RP): If LA wants to upgrade its bullpen, acquiring the young A’s closer could be a game-changer.
- Brent Rooker (OF): Another A’s player worth monitoring, Rooker offers a potential solution in the corner outfield.
- Nico Hoerner (SS): The Cubs could consider trading Hoerner to address other needs, making him an intriguing target if the Dodgers don’t secure a shortstop via free agency.
