The Los Angeles Dodgers offseason has included a few key mistakes that could hold them back in 2017.
In recent years, we have seen the Los Angeles Dodgers offseason include several big moves. Rarely do they shy away from big contracts or blockbuster trades. They are even willing to trade a player on a big contract and eat most of the salary if it improves their chances in the coming year. Although nothing they have done has led to a World Series victory or even an appearance, the Dodgers always try.
This offseason is different. The Dodgers are not a better team. Their World Series chances are no greater. One can argue that very little was accomplished. If they were to face the Chicago Cubs again in the NLCS, the odds are in the favor of the defending champions and not the Dodgers.
The Dodgers’ primary focus this offseason was spent on handing out big deals to players on expiring contracts. The Dodgers just happened to have a lot of players heading into free agency all at once. Rather than building a championship caliber team, the Dodgers seemed to believe they had one in place. Maintenance then became the priority.
For as good as they still are, there are a few clear mistakes the Dodgers made this offseason. Whether specific or a little more general, Los Angeles may enter the 2017 MLB season wishing they had done things differently.