NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the 2023 free agency period looking to improve their roster after consecutive disappointing exits in the NLDS. The Dodgers have been one of the most dominant regular season teams in recent memory, winning 10 NL West titles in the past 11 years. In spite of all that success in the regular season, the Dodgers only have 1 World Series win. The team hit
President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman set out this off season to improve the roster to help get the Dodgers to the World Series. He started the free agency period with a bang, signing. both Shoehei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to free agent contracts. Friedman did not stop there. In an attempt to improve the starting pitching, Friedman acquired Tyler Glasnow in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and recently announced the signing of free agent pitching James Paxton. Glasnow, Yamamoto and Paxton will join Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler in the starting rotation. The Dodgers do have the option of extending to a 6 man rotation by using either Ryan Yarbrough and Emmet Sheehan. With Yamamoto coming over from Japan, it does appear the Dodgers will go with a 6 man rotation. Will Clayton Kershaw choose to resign with the Dodgers when he recovers from shoulder surgery? Coming back, Kershaw gives the Dodgers more depth in the starting rotation.
Friedman did not just focus on the starting pitching, as he traded for Manuel Margot and resigned Jason Hayward to solidify the outfield. With Mookie Betts moving to 2nd base, bringing back Hayward was high on the Dodgers list.
Each season, the Dodgers are considered as World Series favorites. WIth the moves Friedman has made this offseason, the Dodgers are expected to be the frontrunners to win the 2024 World Series. The question Dodger fans are asking is whether Manager Dave Roberts is on the hot seat. Will the Dodgers look to move in a different managerial direction if they do not win the World Series in 2024? This season, Roberts decisions will be under the microscope more than any other time since he was announced as the manger of the Dodgers.
The upcoming 2024 season is filled with excitement and trepidation for Dodger fans. On paper, the Dodgers have put together one of their strongest rosters in recent memory. Championships, however, are not won on paper. The team needs to be able to come together and perform on the field in order to be successful. One thing is certain, Dodger fans will not except anything less than a World Series appearance.
