Despite losing both Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu for the remainder of the 2015 season by late-May, the Los Angeles Dodgers won 92 games and third consecutive National League West division title.
However, their postseason run again fell short as they were eliminated in five games from the NL Division Series by the New York Mets.
One week into the offseason it became evident there’d be significant change as the Dodgers and Don Mattingly announced their separation.
Four weeks later, Los Angeles named Dave Roberts as the 28th manager in franchise history.
Although the Dodgers now have a skipper in place, there are several questions still needing to be answered — namely will Zack Greinke be re-signed? There’s also a void at second base with Howie Kendrick a free agent, and adding to the bullpen would certainly be of benefit.
With some of that in mind, ESPN’s Jim Bowden listed the Dodgers among the teams ‘trending downward,’ though still a ‘contender,’ ahead of the Winter Meetings:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Trending downward
Status: ContenderThe Dodgers took a 94-win LDS team and turned it into a 92-win LDS team with a bevy of trades and free-agent signings. They will have a new manager to take them into the future after choosing Dave Roberts. The Dodgers do have a strong plan of getting younger and less expensive and are committed to a strong young core of players and prospects that includes Corey Seager, Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Julio Urias and Yasmani Grandal. They are going to have to emphasize improving their starting rotation this offseason, either by persuading free-agent Zack Greinke to return or by signing one of the other top free-agent starters like Price, Zimmermann and Cueto and by improving the back of their rotation. The Dodgers also need to add quality and quantity to their bullpen to help support Kenley Jansen, Luis Avilan and Chris Hatcher.
Bowden identified the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays as the current favorites.
Joining the Dodgers as contenders are: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals.
While speaking from the General Manager meetings in Florida earlier this month, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said adding to the pitching staff would be a focus this offseason.
Thus far the Dodgers have been linked in some capacity to starting pitchers Greinke, John Lackey, Shelby Miller, David Price and most recently, Jordan Zimmermann. The Dodgers reportedly also had preliminary trade talks to send an everyday outfielder to the Indians in exchange for a starting pitcher.
As for relievers, Darren O’Day, and Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee of the Rays have been said to be on the Dodgers’ radar. Kendrick, Daniel Murphy and Chase Utley have been reported as those receiving consideration for the open job at second base.
Aside from roster needs, Los Angeles must also find replacements for first base coach Davey Lopes, third base coach Ron Roenicke, and likely hitting coach Mark McGwire and bench coach Tim Wallach, as well as fill vacancies on the medical/training staff.
