The Los Angeles Dodgers were one win away from winning the World Series in 2017, as they saw the Houston Astros celebrate on their home field after a heart-breaking Game 7 loss.
The Dodgers return most of their core nucleus of players in 2018 though, so their goal will once again be to win the National League West and return to the Fall Classic to win their first World Series since 1988.
They embarked on the journey Sunday morning as the full squad reported to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training all with that same goal in mind.
All-Star first baseman Cody Bellinger, who is coming off a historic rookie season, put into words how the team is feeling coming of the World Series loos and their mindset for the 2018 season, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“I think we want it more,” Bellinger said. “Just because we were so close to it, and we know how it … feels to lose in Game 7 of the World Series. I think the atmosphere in here is legit. Everyone is ready to.get after it again.”
While most of the team will be the same in 2018, there were a few subtractions as Brandon Morrow and Yu Darvish both signed with the Chicago Cubs and Tony Watson signed with the San Francisco Giants. Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy and Charlie Culberson were all traded to the Atlanta Braves, with Gonzalez since moving on to the New York Mets.
The Dodgers haven’t been that active on the free agent market, as Tom Koehler and Chase Utley have been their only Major League free agent signings. They did acquire Matt Kemp and reliever Scott Alexander via trade though, which will help fill the void left by the departed players.
Los Angeles first takes the field for its Cactus League opener on Friday when they take on the Chicago White Sox.
