The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be aggressive this offseason with filling holes on their roster, and have so far started that out with the biggest signing in MLB history, inking Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract.
In addition, the club has also re-signed Jason Heyward and Joe Kelly, while also adding to their organizational pitching depth by signing Ricky Vanasco and Nabil Crismatt.
While the Dodgers made the most notable splash any team will make this offseason, their biggest need is starting pitching as the rest of their roster shapes out well.
“You know, I think that the pen is in a really good spot,” manager Dave Roberts said during the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I think that obviously we’ve talked a lot about starting pitching and the depth that we’re trying to cement. I think, position player-wise, I think that there’s a bat or two, or a bet on an internal option or internal options. So, I think that we’ll solidify the pitching side of things and then we’ll go from there.”
The Dodgers have been linked to the top starting pitchers available in free agency and on the trade market, including Corbin Burnes, Dylan Cease, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, among others. The Dodgers also made an offer to Aaron Nola before he returned to the Phillies.
Although Yamamoto’s market is continuously rising, the Dodgers have remained among the favorites for his services even after signing Ohtani.
“I think so,” Roberts answered when asked if he is confident the Dodgers will land a frontline starter this offseason. “I think that there’s a lot of different ways to access players.
“Obviously, there’s the free agent and there’s also the trade market. So, I think that, you know, if there’s opportunity, I think that we can certainly, we’re going to be in the conversation for a lot of different arms, starting pitching arms, yeah.”
Dave Roberts hopes pitching upgrades will help Dodgers
After back-to-back early postseason exits, Roberts is hopeful that additions to the starting rotation will help the Dodgers go deeper into October.
“Yeah, I mean, yeah, that’s a good question. I think the thing that we’re tackling I think is the starting pitching. I think that’s something that is forefront of mind.
“You look at those three games and we didn’t really give ourselves a chance. So I think that addressing that I think is something that, yeah, we’re trying to do.”
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!
