The Los Angeles Dodgers lost in the divisional round in 2019, so they will be looking to get farther in the postseason in 2020, so here’s their holiday wish list.
The Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t won a World Series since 1988 despite reaching the Fall Classic two years in a row so things obviously need to change going into next season.
The Dodgers have one of the best offenses in the league, which includes the reigning National League Most Valuable Player in Cody Bellinger. That’s not to say that they won’t be looking to improve in that area this winter.
Manager Dave Roberts might have a great offense, but he can’t say the same about their pitching.
So, with that said, here is the Dodgers wish list this offseason.
1. Add to the bullpen
The bullpen ended up costing the Dodgers in the decisive Game 5 loss to the Washington Nationals. Clayton Kershaw was first out of the bullpen and gave up back-to-back home runs to Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto to tie the game.
Joe Kelly gave up the grand slam to former Dodger, Howie Kendrick, and to make matters worse, Kenley Jansen, who is arguably the Dodgers best reliever and closer didn’t get in the game until it was already over. That tells you how much confidence Dave Roberts has in his closer.
So, it is clear that newly extended Andrew Friedman needs to make the bullpen a priority if he wants to get farther in October in 2020.
I believe that he needs to go get multiple arms but ones that are established and ones that are risks.
Some great options include Dellin Betances, Will Harris, Drew Pomeranz, and Fernando Rodney.
Betances proved in his tenure with the New York Yankees that he can pitch in the biggest moments of games, so he would work with the Dodgers, especially when they like the short term-high AAV type of deals.
Harris and Pomeranz pitched well for two postseason clubs this season, but believe it or not Harris might be the cheaper option, as Pomeranz could be this year’s Andrew Miller arm out of the relief market that can pitch in the high leverage situations.
Rodney is over 40, which might not be appealing to the Dodgers but he is one of those pitchers that seems like the will pitch until they’re 50.