Spring Training is officially heating up in both Florida and Arizona, and while the rest of the league scrambles to catch up, the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are setting their sights on repeating as World Series champions. The excitement in the air is palpable as every weekday leads us to insightful team previews and a closer look at what the Dodgers have been up to in the offseason.
Let’s jump into what makes this Dodgers team so formidable. After clinching the title last season, the roster is teeming with talent, and players have already indicated that they’re aiming higher than simply defending their crown. There’s talk of breaking the all-time regular season win total of 116, set by the legendary 2001 Mariners. Given the depth of this lineup, don’t be shocked if you witness the Dodgers surpass the 120-win mark and rewrite the record books in 2025.
Losses and Gains
Though the Dodgers saw a few familiar faces depart this winter, they’ve managed to bring in some impressive replacements. Star pitcher Jack Flaherty, an acquisition from last season’s trade deadline, has returned to the Tigers on a two-year deal after posting a solid 3.17 ERA and racking up 194 strikeouts over 162 innings in 2024. The Dodgers also bid farewell to Walker Buehler and Joe Kelly. While Buehler battled through injury struggles during the regular season, he found his stride in the postseason. Conversely, Kelly had a rough year and remains on the market.
However, the bright side is that Los Angeles retained the core of its roster. Teoscar Hernandez, fresh off a strong campaign with a .272/.339/.501 slash line, will don Dodger blue for three more years. With 33 home runs, 99 RBIs, and a solid presence in the middle of the lineup, he’s bound to continue making key contributions.
Kike Hernandez is back as well, maintaining his role as a reliable bench option. Over 126 games last year, he hit 12 home runs while bringing in 42 RBIs and slashing .229/.281/.373. We all know he’s primed for those clutch moments when October rolls around.
Among the retained players are Clayton Kershaw and Blake Treinen, both coming back from injury. Kershaw’s road back to health following knee and toe surgeries might keep him off the Opening Day roster, while Treinen showcased his prowess with a 1.93 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 46.2 innings pitched last season.
The Dodgers also bolstered their bullpen significantly with Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. Scott had a spectacular run in 2024, finishing with a 1.75 ERA while recording 22 saves and 84 strikeouts. Yates, in his own right, was equally phenomenal with a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves, making him one of the game’s top relievers last season.
Outfielder Michael Conforto has joined the squad with a one-year deal worth $17 million. Coming off an impressive season with the Giants, where he notched 20 home runs and 66 RBIs, Conforto will look to integrate seamlessly into this potent lineup.
The Dodgers have also targeted international talent, signing infielder Hyeseong Kim after a successful stint in Korea, where he boasted an eye-popping .326/.383/.458 slash line in 2024. Expect him to slot in at second base.
As for pitching prospects, the Dodgers have secured Roki Sasaki, who has captured attention as one of the top international signings of the year. The 23-year-old right-hander brings an impressive track record from Japan, with a 2.35 ERA and a strikeout rate that demands attention. Expect some guidance on his innings as the season progresses, especially if the Dodgers have postseason aspirations.
Hitting Outlook
With Superstars lining up, the Dodgers’ batting order looks remarkable. Leading the charge is the reigning National League MVP, Shohei Ohtani, who made history with a stunning 50 home runs and 59 stolen bases last season. His stat line of .310/.390/.646 alongside 130 RBIs is the stuff of legends.
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman will also feature prominently at the top of the lineup. Betts is entering his sixth season in Los Angeles, coming off a year where he still managed to slashing .289/.372/.491. Freeman, meanwhile, also aims to regain his form after a productive yet comparatively “down” year as he enters year four with the Dodgers.
As you roll down the lineup, Hernandez is expected to contribute from the cleanup spot, followed by Max Muncy and Will Smith. Muncy showcased power and efficiency in his limited play with 15 home runs, while Smith continues to impress as one of the premier catchers in MLB, hitting 20 home runs and collecting 75 RBIs last season.
The bottom third of the lineup will feature Conforto, Kim, and likely Tommy Edman. Though Edman’s time on the field was limited last year, he managed to flash power and speed, and he could be a crucial piece moving forward. Meanwhile, Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor are set to rotate in, providing additional depth and versatility.
Pitching Outlook
The Dodgers are dealing with early-season health concerns among some big names. Key pitchers like Kershaw and Gavin Stone are currently on the injured list, alongside notable relievers like Brusdar Graterol and Michael Kopech. However, the healthy arms stepping up will be critical.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had a breakout rookie year with a 3.00 ERA, leads the rotation alongside Blake Snell. Snell’s run as the NL Cy Young Award winner is a testament to his talent and consistency; last year, he finished strong with a 3.12 ERA in the second half.
Tyler Glasnow adds further strength to the rotation. When on the mound, he is a formidable force, although maintaining health has been a challenge. Roki Sasaki and Tony Gonsolin will round out the rotation, with Gonsolin returning after his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has a dynamic quartet with Scott, Yates, Treinen, and Alex Vesia, all of whom recorded sub-2.00 ERAs and formidable strikeout numbers. This depth gives the Dodgers an edge and the ability to manage late-inning pressure effectively.
Keep an eye on Amthony Banda and Justin Wrobleski as they compete for critical middle-inning roles.
Down on the Farm
Los Angeles boasts one of the best farm systems in baseball, highlighted by newly minted number-one prospect Roki Sasaki, who’s going straight to the majors. The depth is impressive, with players like Dalton Rushing and Jouse De Paula making waves among prospects. Rushing, a versatile player ranking 30th in MLB’s prospect rankings, had an impressive season across double-A and triple-A. De Paula has shown off impressive offensive skills and will surely be a player to watch as he progresses.
Additionally, Jackson Ferris, Alex Freeland, and Zyhir Hope — ranked in the 70s — represent a solid core of young talent. Ferris’s strong numbers in double-A make him a promising left-handed pitcher to keep an eye on, while Freeland and Hope continue developing their skills and aim for future contributions at the big league level.
Potential Opening Day Roster
Lineup
- Shohei Ohtani – DH
- Mookie Betts – SS
- Freddie Freeman – 1B
- Teoscar Hernandez – RF
- Max Muncy – 3B
- Will Smith – C
- Michael Conforto – LF
- Tommy Edman – CF
- Hyeseong Kim – 2B
Bench
Kike Hernandez, Austin Barnes, Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas
Rotation
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Blake Snell
- Tyler Glasnow
- Roki Sasaki
- Tony Gonsolin
Bullpen
CL. Tanner Scott, SU. Kirby Yates, SU. Blake Treinen, MR. Alex Vesia, MR. Anthony Banda, MR. Justin Wrobleski, LR. Landon Knack, LR. Dustin May
Season Prediction
The Dodgers have constructed an all-star team that should dominate the league and put themselves in position to win nearly every game. Given the talent and depth they’ve amassed, anything less than a World Series title would undoubtedly be deemed a disappointment. With no glaring weaknesses and the capability to absorb unexpected injuries, the Dodgers appear poised to challenge for the best team in baseball history this season. Buckle up, baseball fans — this rollercoaster is just getting started!
