Coming off back-to-back appearances in the World Series and a franchise-record 106 wins, the 2019 season brought about more disappointment for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they were defeated by the Washington Nationals in five games in the National League Division Series.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has assembled rosters plenty talented enough to win the NL West in each of his five years with the organization and be considered among the best in the league. Though, L.A. has not been able to get over the hump and win a World Series.
The team is poised to return most of its key players in 2020, but they will have some financial flexibility to work with to improve the roster. While Friedman is not sure what exact moves will be made, he is open to changes.
“As we sit here today, I think we have a really talented core group of players returning,” Friedman said at his annual press conference that this season came much earlier in October than most anticipated.
“I think we have depth in areas we can make trades, we have financial flexibility. As we sit here today as a jumping off point for the offseason, it’s a really good position to be in. We’re not closing the door on anything right now, and I think we have to go into it very open-minded and open to changing up the complexion a little bit.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean we will, but I feel like we have to really look at that and figure out what we think is best to put us in the best position for 2020 and beyond.”
While the Dodgers suffered a shocking loss in the postseason, Friedman indicated that would not necessarily be a factor behind possible changes.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I don’t think because of just that — now there may be other reasons that led to it that we feel like we need to — but not just because of it.”
The Dodgers will be losing a pair of starting pitchers unless they re-sign Hyun-Jin Ryu or Rich Hill. The top starter that will be available on the market is Gerrit Cole, and the Dodgers have already been linked to the flamethrower, along with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros.
If the Dodgers are looking for an upgrade in the lineup, Anthony Rendon will be the best free agent available, and they have also been linked to him.
The Dodgers already have a third baseman in Justin Turner, of course, but he would be open to changing positions if a free agent of Rendon’s caliber is brought in.
