The World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers have somewhat of an interesting offseason ahead. A handful of core members from the title team (Enrique Hernandez, Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen, Jack Flaherty) are free agents. The franchise is flush with resources — and likely will be active in both the trade and free agent markets. We’ll break down exactly how the Dodgers should operate moving forward into the winter.
Re-Sign The Hernandez Brothers
Two of the team’s most clutch players from this run are both free agents. While not technically brothers, the two are often connected with their shared surname. Kiké is arguably the best reserve in all of baseball. He’s good enough to start on an everyday basis, yet is fine coming off the bench. He can play virtually every position on the field, and absolutely mashes left-handed pitching. Oh yeah — and he’s a hugely prolific postseason performer. Throw in the fact he’s a leader on this club, and LA would be foolish to not re-up with him on a multi-year deal.
Teoscar Hernandez had a career year with the Boys in Blue. He won the Home Run Derby, was recognized as an All-Star, and had some immensely significant moments in the postseason — including a memorable homer versus the Padres in the NLDS, and a bases-clearing double versus the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series. At 32 years of age with depreciating defensive skills, LA probably would not want to go more than three or four years on an extension. Remember, Shohei Ohtani is entrenched at the DH spot. However, given Hernandez’s strong character and respective value to the club in more ways than one, he’s another LA can ill-afford to lose — even if Juan Soto is available.
Sign a Frontline Pitcher
This one is self-explanatory. The Dodgers managed to win the World Series despite only having three healthy starting pitchers for the bulk of the playoff run. An inordinate amount of injuries zapped the team’s depth. Having said that, the team will get a host of options back next year (Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan, Bobby Miller, Nick Frasso). Ohtani will also be available to lead the staff.
However, knowing the Dodgers and their proclivity for improvement, you know they’ll want to get an elite arm to further add depth and talent. Chief among them available include Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Corbin Burnes. Adding a lefty would make sense balance-wise, and Fried grew up in Los Angeles idolizing Kershaw and Sandy Koufax. Flaherty would also love to return if given the opportunity to do so.
Enhance the Bullpen
Priority No. 1 is re-signing Treinen. It appears as if a reunion is highly likely. Even then, Joe Kelly appears to be gone, and Daniel Hudson retired. Expect another high-leverage arm to be acquired. Though it goes against LA’s usual M.O. to spend a ton on relievers, could Tanner Scott be an option?
Buehler…Buehler?
Buehler was dominant in the latter stages of the postseason. His teammates love him, his manager loves him, and he was the first player Andrew Friedman drafted when taking over as the head of Baseball Operations. Being a true competitor, it would make sense to bring him back on a reasonable deal. Buehler had a rough regular season and is coming off a second Tommy John surgery. However, he may be more of a luxury — particularly if another team overpays for him.
