In what could be considered a quiet offseason — or at least compared to the last two — the Dodgers took control of the headlines. Not only did Los Angeles get another weapon for their lineup, but also several notable pitchers to boost their odds of winning it all in 2024. Here’s our Dodgers offseason recap.
Related: 2023-24 MLB Offseason Recap: New York Yankees
Notable Additions
The Dodgers came away with the crown jewel of the winter in Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, who failed to make it to the postseason with the Angels, signed the largest contract (10-year, $700MM) in MLB history in December, albeit one that comes with major deferrals that will see him get most of the money after the contract is up.
Ohtani is coming off a season in which he hit 44 home runs, posted an MLB-high 1.066 OPS, and won the American League MVP for the second time in three seasons. However, Tommy John surgery rehab will prevent him from pitching in 2024.
The second order of business for the Dodgers was the rotation. Tony Gonsolin will likely miss all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, while Clayton Kershaw — who did re-sign with the Dodgers — will miss a good chunk of the year thanks to shoulder rehab. Not to mention, Dustin May is currently rehabbing from major elbow surgery.
Los Angeles addressed their rotation for 2024 and beyond with the additions of Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the latter of whom was arguably the hottest name among free agent pitchers thanks to his resume in Japan and age. Glasnow was acquired from Tampa and promptly extended, while Yamamoto received the largest deal in MLB history for a pitcher.
Additionally, the Dodgers added veterans Teoscar Hernandez and James Paxton. Now, a look at the subtractions part of our Dodgers offseason recap.
Notable Subtractions
- RP Yency Almonte
- INF Michael Busch
- OF Jonny DeLuca
- RP Caleb Ferguson
- SP Lance Lynn
- DH J.D. Martinez
- RP Shelby Miller
- RP Victor Gonzalez
- SP Ryan Pepiot
- OF David Peralta
The Dodgers received strong contributions from J.D. Martinez and Shelby Miller, both of whom were signed to short-term deals in the 2022-23 offseason, last year. However, the two were not retained amidst what was a major organizational re-alignment.
Not only did Los Angeles part ways with key veterans and youngsters in the short term, but the Dodgers also traded away several young prospects, including Jorbit Vivas and Michael Busch to get non-40-man roster talent.
What to Expect in 2024
The Dodgers went big-game hunting this offseason in the hopes that Ohtani and the other new additions could lead Los Angeles to a World Series title. Ohtani now headlines an incredibly deep lineup that includes himself, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Will Smith, among others.
That depth should not only make it tougher for opposing pitchers to choose their spots but also insulate Los Angeles for pending slumps. After all, the Dodgers’ pitching may not have been pristine during the NLDS against the Diamondbacks. But on the flip side, Betts and Freeman went just 1-21 in that series.
However, one area Los Angeles didn’t address was shortstop. The thought process was for Gavin Lux to take over the position after he missed all of 2023. But through the first half of the spring, Lux looked uncomfortable at short. On March 8, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Mookie Betts — the team’s projected second baseman after Los Angeles confirmed a full-time move there earlier in the winter — would take over at short.
There have been Willy Adames rumors that persist. But for now, Betts appears to be the man at short.