NL West preview: 1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last year marked the Dodgers third 100-win season in the last four years, an incredible feat for the organization. While the postseason struggles are frustrating, there’s no denying this is an incredible regular-season team year after year.
Los Angeles received devastating news about starting second baseman Gavin Lux, who will miss the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL in spring training. With Lux out, along with Trea Turner and Justin Turner departing in free agency, the infield will have an interesting new look in this upcoming season. Rookie Miguel Vargas will start at second, while newly acquired Miguel Rojas will take over at shortstop. While the offensive numbers aren’t eye popping, Rojas finished second among all shortstops in DRS last season, a testament to the elite defensive ability he brings to the lineup. On base machine Max Muncy will move to third base, hoping to bounce back from a down offensive season. Austin Barnes and Will Smith will platoon behind the dish, arguably the best catching tandem in Major League Baseball. Aside from Buster Posey, Will Smith is the best hitting catcher I’ve seen in my long years as a baseball fan. His calm and collected approach has earned him back-to-back seasons with 24 homers or more. JD Martinez was the Dodgers biggest addition, signing the veteran slugger to a one-year deal over the offseason. Martinez, along with Max Muncy and Will Smith, will be a part of a crucial 3-4-5 heart of the order that will strongly influence the success of this lineup. If this trio can provide production behind Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, we’re going to see another dangerous Dodger lineup this season. Freeman and Betts remain two of the best players in our game, with each seeking for another MVP award to add to their trophy case. The two perennial MVP candidates will carry this lineup in production once again, while also hoping to mentor some of the younger players joining the group. James Outman is a young name that we could see in the outfield, making the Opening Day roster after a strong Cactus League performance. Aside from Outman, there are plenty of other potential names we could see join Betts in the outfield. It could be the veteran lefty David Peralta. Utility man Chris Taylor is another potential option. Let’s also not forget Trayce Thompson, who joined the lineup midseason posting an incredible 142 wRC+. More than likely, it will be a platoon with all of these names involved within it.
Similar to the lineup, the starting rotation will have a new look this year. Walker Buehler is still recovering from his Tommy John surgery, hoping to return near the postseason. Tyler Anderson was signed by the Angels in free agency, heading to Anaheim on a three-year, $41 million deal. Julio Urias will make his first Opening Day start, coming off a season full of accolades. Urias had the lowest ERA (2.16) amongst all National League starters, earning him a third-place finish in Cy Young voting. Clayton Kershaw will enter his 16th season in Dodger Blue. At 35 years old, the future Hall of Famer is still putting up incredible regular-season numbers, posting a 2.28 ERA over 126 innings last year. With Tony Gonsolin out until at least mid-April, it will be up to Dustin May to step in his place. After a full offseason to further recover from Tommy John, May is primed for a breakout season that we’ve all been waiting for. Noah Syndergaard was the lone starter signed by L.A. this offseason, pitching his first full season since 2019 last year. While Syndergaard looked good during certain parts of last season, it’s clear he’ll never be the dominant 100 mph arm we once saw in his younger years. However, Syndergaard did prove he can be a helpful bottom rotation pitcher for a World Series contending team. Nonetheless, it’s also valid to question if the righty can stay healthy for another full season of work. Manager Dave Roberts announced Ryan Pepiot has won the fifth starting job, beating out fellow teammate Michael Grove for the roster spot. Pepiot started seven games last season, eclipsing a 3.47 ERA in those seven starts. His peripherals indicate he got very lucky, considering he ended the season with a 5.27 FIP. When Tony Gonsolin returns to the rotation, it will be interesting to see where or if Pepiot still has a spot in the rotation. From a playoff standpoint, a lot of this rotation’s success will depend on the health of Buehler and Kershaw. If Buehler and Kershaw are fully healthy by October, the Dodgers will have a top three of Urias, Buehler, and Kershaw. However, if Buehler isn’t healthy things could get dicey. Gonsolin pitched poorly in the postseason last year, while also not having a great track record of success against good hitting teams. It’s essential both Kershaw and Buehler are healthy for a deep playoff run.
We can’t forget about this Dodger bullpen, a major key to the team’s success that has some really special pieces. Alex Vesia might just be the most underrated bullpen arm in our game. The lefty has now posted back to back seasons with a sub-2.30 ERA, proving himself to be a phenomenal option for Dave Roberts against lefty hitters. Righty Evan Phillips was ridiculous last season, tossing a 1.14 ERA over 63 innings last season. Phillips is rightfully expected to be used in “the most important situations” this season. Aside from his one playoff appearance against the Padres, Yency Almonte was terrific in his rookie season for Los Angeles. Almonte registered in a 1.02 ERA during 35 regular season innings, serving as another strong asset in the bullpen this year. Veteran righties Jimmy Nelson and Daniel Hudson will start the season in the IL, both targeting returns before June. I also can’t help mentioning Brusdar Graterol, Phil Bickford, Andre Jackson, and lefty Caleb Ferguson. These are four additional quality relievers in this Dodgers bullpen who almost any team would love to have. I hate to be so blunt, but the Dodgers literally have the perfect bullpen. It’s an awesome combination of veteran and young arms, all of whom are capable of pitching in high-leverage situations.
Gavin Lux, Cody Bellinger, Tyler Anderson, Justin Turner, and Trea Turner were all notable names in the 2022 Opening Day lineup that will not be with the team this season. In some ways, it’s the dawn of a new era for Dodger baseball. I agree this roster isn’t as strong as past years, but I also trust that Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman have constructed a winning formula for this new team. Whatever happens in the postseason happens, but one would be foolish to deny this isn’t an incredible regular-season team. The Dodgers have dominated the West for almost half a decade, and are fully capable of bringing home another division title this season.