The Revamped Los Angeles Dodgers Could Dominate The National League West

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be able to run away and hide in the National League West Division.

Last season, in an unexpected development, the San Francisco Giants won the division with a record of 107-56, the best in baseball. The Dodgers came in second, one game behind San Francisco.

For the coming season, the Dodgers have added the impactful, game-changing bat of first baseman Freddie Freeman, signing him away from the World Champion Atlanta Braves as a free-agent.

Freeman, 32, signed an eight-year, $162M contract with an annual value of $27M.

While Freeman may add some additional pop to an already formidable Dodgers sizzle, the team has seen a number of other dramatic changes from their solid 2021 roster.

Unlike their history, this coming season the Dodgers may face some depth issues with their starting pitching. There will be lots of new faces taking the mound in Los Angeles.

All Star Max Scherzer signed a long-term contract with the New York Mets.

In addition to losing Scherzer, there have been some other dramatic departures:

Closer Kenley Jansen has signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Braves. It appears veteran Blake Treinan and others might assume the closing opportunities.

Reliever Corey Knebel has signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Reliever Joe Kelly has signed a free-agent contract with the Chicago White Sox.

All Star shortstop Corey Seager has signed a free-agent contract with the Texas Rangers.

Those are formidable players to replace.

To help fortify their pitching depth, the Dodgers added pitchers Andrew Heaney, Daniel Hudson and Tyler Anderson via free-agency.

Besides losing Scherzer, the Dodgers were in need of starters due to Dustin May requiring Tommy John surgery last May, and Trevor Bauer’s uncertain personal situation regarding alleged domestic violence. MLB can suspend Bauer, but the final decision has not yet been offered. Lefty Danny Duffy had flexor tendon surgery last October.

The Dodgers were able to sign reliever Daniel Hudson as a free-agent, and he will likely get some save opportunities as the season progresses. The closer role is a bit unsettled. Several Dodgers relievers may share that role.

Clayton Kershaw is returning to the Dodgers, signing a one-year contract to reclaim his spot in the rotation.

Even with so many roster changes, the Dodgers are still a dangerous club. The only hiccup this old scout sees is a potential shortage of reliable starting pitchers if any of their rotation must be replaced due to poor performance or injury. But the Dodgers have the financial resources to seek help from other clubs via trade to fill a need.

The Potential Dodgers Rotation:

As noted by RosterResource on fangraphs.com, the Dodgers could begin the season with a rotation of Walker Buehler (RHP) Clayton Kershaw (LHP) Julio Urias (LHP) Andrew Heaney (LHP) and Tony Gonsolin (RHP). Personally, this writer has concerns about the viability of Heaney. But even if he falters, the other starters should be very credible, if they stay healthy. Perhaps Bauer returns at some point to claim one of the starting roles. Duffy and May possibly could return at some point during the season.

The Dodgers invited a number of pitchers to spring training camp as non-roster invitees. The team will have a good spring look at Ryan Pepiot (RHP), Robbie Erlin (LHP), Mike Wright Jr. (RHP), Jon Duplantier (RHP, Beau Burrows (RHP, and Yefry Ramirez (RHP.) One or more of those potential pitchers may be able to handle a big league role if called upon. Each of the above could be used as a starter or in relief out of the bullpen.

Veteran David Price remains on the roster, and he and others like Tyler Anderson might assume a starter’s role, if needed.

Offensive Firepower:

The Dodgers will once again be able to score runs with a dynamic lineup that could begin the season with this batting order:

Mookie Betts-RF (bats right)

Freddie Freeman-1B (bats left)

Trea Turner-SS (bats right)

Max Muncy-DH (bats left)

Justin Turner-3B (bats right)

Will Smith-C (bats right)

Chris Taylor-2B (bats right)

Cody Bellinger-CF (bats left)

AJ Pollock-LF (bats right)

In the opinion of this writer, few MLB teams will be able to offer as much left-and right-handed balance in their lineup with the type of good hitting, power, speed and overall quality as the Dodgers.

Chris Taylor offers manager Dave Roberts flexibility and versatility to play multiple positions.

The same can be said for Max Muncy or Gavin Lux, who will likely be coming off the bench to spell a starter as a super utility player.

One note of caution regarding their lineup focuses on centerfielder Cody Bellinger. Bellinger has had a miserable spring, with strikeouts mounting and a lack of production at the plate. He looks out of sync and is pressing badly.

Dodgers Payroll:

If the season were to start tomorrow, according to fangraphs, the Dodgers have an estimated payroll of $283M, or $6M more than their estimated season ending total from last year.

The Dodgers currently sit within the third tier of the four MLB luxury tax thresholds. Those four thresholds, as negotiated in the recent Collective Bargaining Agreement between MLB owners and players, are as follows:

First threshold=$230M

Second threshold=$250M

Third threshold=$270M

Fourth threshold=$290M

Conclusions:

As it looks to this writer as this abbreviated 2022 spring training enters the home stretch, the Los Angeles Dodgers look like a very well balanced club. A number of new players are replacing important 2021 contributors who left via free agency.

For many clubs, losing All Star pitchers like Max Scherzer and Kenley Jansen as well as relievers Joe Kelly and Corey Knebel could be devestating. But the Dodgers managed to cobble together replacement players by signing pitchers Andrew Heaney, Daniel Hudson and Tyler Anderson to plug into their rotation. They will rely on returning veterans to potentially fill the voids in the bullpen.

Losing shortstop Corey Seager may cost the team some offensive firepower, but they have signed All Star Freddie Freeman to help fill the void. Trea Turner, a terrific athlete and one of the most dynamic players in the game, will assume Seager’s shortstop role. Freeman will take over at first base. In essence, the offense has traded Seager for Freeman, and the transition should be seamless.

The Dodgers rarely have to worry about where their next pitcher will come from if they face poor performance or a pitching injury. This year may be different. However they do have pitchers waiting in the wings, if needed.

To this writer, unless injuries derail their plans, the Dodgers look like the team to beat in the National League West.