The Los Angeles Dodgers have a busy offseason ahead of them as they look to fill multiple needs on their roster.
With Clayton Kershaw and Lance Lynn reaching the open market, the Dodgers need to add at least two starting pitchers via free agency or trade. L.A. has already been linked to several high-profile names, including Corbin Burnes and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Dodgers are also laser-focused on signing two-way All-Star Shohei Ohtani. The 29-year-old would slot in as the team’s designated hitter next year and give their rotation another ace for the 2025 season.
After a second consecutive early postseason exit, this time when their starting pitching let them down to join their offensive struggles, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the Dodgers will be more aggressive with adding talent to their rotation this winter, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Friedman acknowledged that the Dodgers are more motivated buyers than they have been in the past.
“I think it would be reasonable to say that it would be more than it has been when we came off years of top production with returning the same (rotation) if not improving on that base,” Friedman said.
The Dodgers have shied away from committing big money to free-agent starting pitchers in recent years due to the overall strength of the rotation and their success during the season.
That will likely change this offseason as the team only has four healthy starters at the moment and is coming off a year in which their staff ranked 20th with a collective 4.57 ERA.
The Dodgers need to add an ace this offseason, along with someone to slot into the middle of their rotation as they are in a rare spot of lacking top-end pitching and quality depth.
What other moves could Dodgers make this offseason?
Along with adding starting pitching and a designated hitter, the Dodgers are in need of corner outfield help, and they figure to make smaller acquisitions to improve their bench and bullpen this offseason.
The club reportedly has interest in re-signing Jason Heyward, who enjoyed a resurgent 2023 campaign and emerged as an important leader in the clubhouse. Kiké Hernández could additionally return to L.A. after finding success in his second stint with the organization.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
