Three-peat talks have already started. This year, the Dodgers became baseball’s first repeat World Series champion since the 1998-2000 Yankees and there is every reason to believe they will be in the mix again next year. They have an MLB team that’s loaded, an incredibly strong farm system, a front-office that’s aggressive, and a willing owner. The Dodgers can do it all. Dave Roberts told the crowd at the parade, “I will tell you that this group would never be denied of bringing another championship to this city.” “… Last thing, I will say that I spoke to a friend of mine on the plane yesterday, and he gave the OK for me to use this phrase. Pat Riley, is there anything better than two? Three! Three-peat! Three-peat! Let’s go!” Three-peat talk doesn’t mean the Dodgers will be all set for 2026. The Dodgers have some pressing needs to address. According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, L.A. had a $415-million payroll in 2025 for competitive balance tax, and has approximately $313-million on their books for 2026. (Including arbitration projections). This could be a busy offseason. What is the Dodgers’ need for this offseason? Who could they target as a potential acquisition? Who could they target? We’ll dive in to that right now as we preview the upcoming offseason for two-time defending champs.
Needs The bullpen and outfield are the most noticeable. Michael Conforto was one of the worst regular hitters in baseball this season, so much so that the Dodgers left him off the postseason roster and started utility guy Enrique Hernández in the left field. In the postseason, you can live with it, but Hernández (a free agent) in left is not viable for 162 games. The Dodgers are in need of an outfielder. The bullpen can be tricky. Last offseason, the Dodgers spent a lot of money on it (Tanner Scott), Blake Treinen and Kirtley Yates. And it didn’t. Treinen and Scott had bad years, as did Yates. Treinen fell outside the Circle of Trust in Game 7 of World Series. Scott Treinen and Alex Vesia will return next year. Jack Dreyer and others will also be returning. Roki Sasaki might also stick around in the bullpen. Justification exists for adding fewer bullpen members or staying the course. But it would still surprise me. The Dodgers have an aging core of position players and are eager to compete for the World Series title in 2020. It seems likely that they will sign a strong bullpen player to secure the late innings. Bullpen and outfield will be the most important areas to address this winter.
Targets The Dodgers are in a good position. The Dodgers have the money to spend both on free agents as well as trading prospects. The Dodgers are not guaranteed to get any player they want. However, they should be able to trade for anyone they desire without being at a significant disadvantage. Here are some realistic targets who are in line with what the Dodgers are looking for this offseason.
The fact that the No. 1 free agent of the offseason is the perfect match for the two-time defending champions’ needs is not good news for the 29 other teams. The No. 1 free agent is exactly what the two-time champions are looking for. Kyle Tucker could improve the Dodgers on all fronts: offensively and defensively. He would also help the Dodgers with their base running. The Dodgers could slide Teoscar Hernández to left field (assuming they don’t find a way to unload him) and install Tucker in right, upgrading their defense, and he would be another bona fide middle-of-the-order hitter for a lineup that was surprisingly thin after the Nos. In October, 5-6 positions will be available. Tucker may make your offense too lefty through the middle but you’ll still be fine if you have Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman as your lefties.
At the deadline for trades, it was reported that the Dodgers had a strong interest in Guardians’ outfielder Steven Kwan. The two teams ran out of time to complete a trade though, and the Dodgers pivoted to righty hitting platoon guy Alex Call. I’d expect that they would rekindle these talks this winter. Kwan, who has four Gold Gloves (and earned them), would be a huge improvement to L.A.’s outfield defence. He wouldn’t be needed to lead off for the Dodgers either. They could (and probably would) leave Ohtani at the top of the order, which would allow them to use Kwan, who is a pesky and overqualified No. 9 hitter.
Mike Yastrzemski/Alex Call is not the sexiest of names, but a Mike Yastrzemski/Alex Call team could be a great left field combination. Farhan Zaidi is now in L.A. and could encourage the Dodgers to go in this direction if Tucker, Kwan, or something else bigger does not work out. Yastrzemski’s.800 OPS against righties is consistent and he’s still a solid outfield defender. If the Dodgers do not want to offer a long-term contract in outfield to allow top prospects Josue de Paula and Zyhir hope to have a path to success, there are worse candidates for a one-year deal than Yastrzemski.
Pete Fairbanks and the Dodgers are linked for almost two years. The Rays rejected his $11m club option, sending him into free agency last week. They must have done this after they couldn’t come up with a suitable trade. Fairbanks has had his strikeouts plummet in the last two seasons, but he still remains a viable reliever who can be used by a team that is contending. After investing big in Scott and having that fall flat in Year 1, another big reliever contract for, say, Edwin Díaz would surprise me. A shorter-term, lower-cost signing like Fairbanks seems more likely.
Tarik Skubal is mentioned here because the Dodgers would be the first to sign him if the Tigers made him available. Skubal may not be a starter, but he is a starter. This is the guy to get if you’re trying to triple-peat. He’d make any rotation better, including one as stacked and crowded as L.A. I’m not sure if the Tigers will trade Skubal. Or even listen to any offers. Expect the Dodgers’ involvement and aggressiveness if they do.
Dalton Rushing, a catcher, is stuck behind Will Smith who signed through 2033. Both made their MLB debuts by 2025. Rushing, the catcher, has to play behind Will Smith, the World Series Game 7 star, who’s signed through 2033. Rushing, a catcher, is stuck behind World Series Game 7 hero Will Smith, who has a contract through 2033. He’s a good catcher. If I were in need of one, I would contact him. Freeland is an infielder who has an easier time getting playing time since Tommy Edman is able to play outfield, and Max Muncy’s contract is only until 2026. However, he could also be a valuable trade piece because he does not have a defined short-term role. Freeland and Rushing are young enough to not be a barrier in a high-profile trade. The Dodgers’ value is longer-term, and you should use them if they can help you achieve a three-peat in 2026. Dodgers require a lot of pitching depth due to the history of injuries of some starters, and because they use a six man rotation to limit the workload for everyone. Even so, they still have A LOT OF arms. Justin Wrobleski, Kyle Hurt and River Ryan are all on the outside looking in of the rotation now. Gavin Stone and the 2024 Dodgers innings-leader Gavin Stone also return next year from injury. Landon Knack, Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone (who were moved to the pen in July), are still with us.
There are only a limited number of roster slots. The Dodgers’ roster is already full, even before they add any more players from outside or protect their prospects for the Rule 5 Draft. Even if you wanted to keep everyone, it’s not possible. The Dodgers may have to do a consolidation deal at some point. This could mean trading one or more of their depth pitchers for prospects that don’t yet have to be on the 40 man roster. Wrobleski would be of particular interest. MLB Pipeline named the Dodgers as having the best farm system in baseball. The Dodgers have plenty of young MLB prospects and players to trade this offseason. With their ability to absorb almost as much money as anyone else, the Dodgers will be able to pursue any potential trade candidates this offseason. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they will get the trade they want. It just means they are competitive with anyone.
2025-11-10 16:00:44
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