Los Angeles Dodgers
Firepower. Firepower. Firepower. The Dodgers return eight out of the nine starters in their lineup. The one player not returning is right handed designated hitter, JD Martinez. However, filling in this DH spot is a newcomer to Dodger Stadium, the 700 million dollar man, Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani inked a 10 year, 700 million dollar deal with the Dodgers on December 9th, 2023 after also being in contract talks with several teams including the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Red Sox. Ohtani is one of the game’s top designated hitters and will join the Dodgers pitching staff in 2025 as he is currently rehabbing from a Tommy John season late in the 2023 season. Along with Ohtani the Dodgers also linked deals with Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yammamoto (12 years, 325 Million) and completed a trade and sign with Rays ace Tyler Glasnow (5 years, 136.5 Million).
The Dodgers will now focus on finding another piece to add to the back end of the bullpen. After missing out on All star closer Josh Hader, who recently signed with the Houston Astros to a 5 year, 95 Million Dollar deal. The Dodgers have been in recent trade talks with the Cleveland Guardians for All Star closer Emmanuel Classe, after talks died down the Dodgers made a move sending INF Michael Busch and RHP Yency Almonte to Chicago in return for the Cubs No. 8 prospect LHP Jackson Ferris. With the additions of the other two starting arms, the Dodgers could look to send Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, or maybe even Clayton Kershaw (if he resigns) to the bullpen. The Dodgers have been a few bullpen pieces away from more championships since the 2017 season.
Projected Lineup (2024 Season)
- Mookie Betts
- Shohei Ohtani
- Freddie Freeman
- Will Smith
- Max Muncy
- Jason Heyward
- Teoscar Hernandez / Chris TaylorÂ
- James Outman / Manuel Margot
- Gavin Lux / Miguel Rojas
Projected Starting Rotation (2024 Season)
- Walker Beuhler
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Tyler Glasnow
- Bobby Miller
- Emmett Sheehan / James Paxton
- Dustin May / Tony Gonsolin / Clayton Kershaw* (Possible 6th starter with Yamamoto getting acclimated to MLB)