After a disappointing end to the 2022 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers went into the winter with a slew of important decisions to make.
The club initially saw 10 players become free agents, but that group expanded after four players had their contract options declined and three others were non-tendered.
While most of the offseason to this point has centered around subtractions, the Dodgers re-signed Clayton Kershaw, and added Shelby Miller and Noah Syndergaard. Meanwhile, Jason Heyward and others were signed to Minor League contracts.
Although the Dodgers did not land big-name targets they were linked to, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman believes the team will be a World Series contender next season, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I’m confident we’ll have a real good team on the field and we’ll be in position to contend for a championship,” Friedman said. “Exactly what that looks like, I don’t think we’ve ever really had clarity on what that’s going to look like on Nov. 18.”
As it currently stands, the Dodgers have voids to fill at shortstop, outfield and potentially the closer role.
With plenty of salary coming off the books and a desire to win the World Series, it wouldn’t be surprising if Friedman has a few surprises up his sleeve this offseason. But at this point, those would likely need to come via trade.
Dodgers mulling Trevor Bauer decision
Throughout much of the offseason the Dodgers have appeared to be operating with a desire to remain under the luxury tax threshold for the 2023 season.
That probability has become more complicated in the wake of an arbitrator reducing Trevor Bauer’s suspension and reinstating him effective immediately. The Dodgers now have until January 6, 2023, to add Bauer back onto their 40-man roster, trade him or release the 31-year-old.
The timing of Bauer’s ruling reportedly caught the Dodgers by surprise, and it’s believed they have a desire to gain more information regarding the arbitrator’s ruling.
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