Are These Dodgers Close to a Dynasty?

                                           The Dodgers just had an epic off-season. They added a Cy Young winner to the rotation. They signed the most sought-after Japanese player since Ohtani.  They added a power outfield bat in Conforto, added two lock down relievers to the back of the bullpen. They brought back Blake Treinen, Kershaw, Teo and Kike. They signed a Korean player who is supposed to be a superior defender.  What did they lose? Jack Flaherty, who pitched well during the season and got mixed results in the playoffs, went back to the Tigers.  They traded Gavin Lux, who righted his ship in the second half after a bad first half but still was traded. Why? Lux was injured all of 2023 after being anointed the team’s starting SS.  He was given that spot again in spring training but later moved to second because of continuing defensive struggles. Mookie was then made the starting SS.  An injury to Mookie would later cause Miguel Rojas to make the bulk of the starts at SS while Lux remained at second. 

                                          But the Dodgers felt compelled to trade Lux for minor league outfielder who hasn’t played a professional inning yet and a draft pick. Seems like slim pickings for a guy who once was the top prospect in the Dodger system. But Lux never quite reached the heights the Dodgers expected, so they traded him. In his place, they signed a Korean free agent, Hyeseong Kim. A left-handed hitting 2B/SS, who is a three-time Korean gold glove winner. The kid also hit .304 in his career in the KBL. Trading some offense for elite defense? Only time will tell. So far in spring training, Kim has impressed with his defensive skills in the drills. 

                                         Daniel Hudson and Kevin Kiermaier retired. Joe Kelly has not been re-signed, and with the arms they have already, it is doubtful Mariachi Joe returns. Several pitchers will begin the year on the IL, including Stone, Ryan, Kershaw, Hurt and Sheehan. They traded Brasier to open a spot for Kirby Yates. From the early reports, it looks like both Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech might end up on the IL also. Both are behind in the pitchers’ workouts. The Dodgers are expecting both Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May to be available. 

                                        So, with Ohtani possibly returning to the rotation in maybe late June, the Dodgers options at starting pitcher are Snell, Glasnow, Yamamoto, Miller, May, Gonsolin, Wrobleski and Grove. Kershaw is also slated for a late June, early July return. A lot of options. In contrast to other years, other than the pitchers who do not make the roster, there are few options at AAA with MLB experience. 

                                         Two players who will have a spot in the outfield no matter what, Conforto and Teo. Outman and Pages are fighting for a job. But if LA keeps Kim, Taylor, Rojas and Kike on the roster, there seems to be no room left. Betts will be at SS for now. No plans to move him back to RF. He might be better suited for second base. In the opening spring game, two non-roster players had the best day for the team, Eddie Rosario, yes, that Rosario and David Bote, who went 2-2. Rosario hit the first spring homer for LA. If he were to make the team, it would most likely be at the expense of either Outman or Pages. 

                                         The Dodgers have several players under contract for three years or more. Freeman has three more years, 81 mil with deferments left on his contract. He will be 38 when his contract is done. Would he sign for another couple of years? I think a lot depends on his health. But I also think by then, Freddie will be satisfied with his accomplishments and will most likely retire. Especially if LA wins another Championship or two. Edman signed a five-year extension. I still believe he will be the super-utility guy. 

                                         Glasnow has three more years and a mutual option. The 23-year-old Sasaki is under team control for six years if I am not mistaken. Mookie Betts has eight years left on his deal including this season. Will Smith has nine years left. His deal actually decreases after 2027. Ohtani has 9 years left on his contract. Yamamoto will be around until 2035. And then there is Blake Snell who just signed a 5-year deal. So, for the next three and possibly four years, you have Ohtani, Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow and Sasaki at the front of your rotation. If they all stay healthy, a big if, that is a very good rotation. Definitely championship caliber. 

                                         Freeman, Betts and Ohtani plus Hernandez for the next three seasons is a pretty decent top four in the lineup. If Smith stays healthy, you have five pretty decent hitters. Three who will most likely end up in the Hall of Fame, Ohtani, Freeman and Betts. How much of an impact will the kids have over the next several years? That is the biggest question along with how the bullpen will be constructed and the bench. 

                                        Will kids like De Paula and Rushing, along with Pages, make impacts day to day? Can Outman rebound from a lost season. He began working out a week after his season ended. He has changed his swing some too. What of guys like Alex Freeland. With Mookie now at SS, will the kid even get a look? Kody Hoese is getting a little old to be considered a prospect anymore. He might be better served being traded. But with Muncy a year away from free agency, he just might get a shot if Max cannot stay healthy. It obviously looks like they have no interest in trading for Arenado. 

                                        I believe the core of this team is pretty solid, the fringe guys will either contribute or they won’t. What they do will go a long way towards what kind of season LA has in 25. But as always, the pitching will be the key. Both the pen and the starting staff.  But the question still remains, are the Dodgers close to being a dynasty? If you look at what they have accomplished in the NL West since 2013, there is no question that they have dominated the division in the regular season. 

                                        Roberts has never failed to have his team in the playoffs, and they have won the division every year except 2021. They did beat the division leading Giants in the LDS that year, then lost to the World Champion Braves in the LCS. They lost to the eventual World Champs in 2016 too, when the Cubs beat them. They should be three and one in their four World Series appearances, but since the Astros decided to cheat, they are two and two. In 2020, they had to win more post season games than any team in baseball history up to that point in time. And they had to come from down three games to one to win the NLCS against Atlanta. That Championship is legit no matter what some critics say. 

                                       It is extremely doubtful, especially with the way the game is structured now, for any team to become a dynasty. No team has repeated as Champion since the Yankees won three in a row from 98-2000. It will take great performances by the stars for the Dodgers to go back-to-back. It is surely possible, but also unlikely. Too many unknowns. Injuries played a huge role last season. We can only hope there is no repeat of that in 25. Are the Dodgers close to a dynasty? Yes, but they still have to prove it on the field.