3 biggest free agency decisions awaiting the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have some interesting questions to ponder when the 2023 postseason concludes
The Los Angeles Dodgers and their fans are fully focused on the next round of the postseason as the current second favorite in the National League. While a lot could change, it is expected for the Atlanta Braves and Dodgers to go yet another round in the postseason in one of the more interesting back and forth rivalries in recent memory.
While all of the attention is rightly on the postseason, it is never too soon to look ahead to the offseason and consider what decisions loom for the Dodgers and their front office. After leading the league in trade and free agency moves for so long, the Dodgers took a step back last offseason.
One can hardly blame them considering the payroll and an impressive offense anchored by Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. The team needed to do very little to be considered a contender and clearly will have a huge advantage in the second round if their starting rotation holds up.
Whether or not a deep postseason run is in store for the Dodgers a tough offseason awaits. With headline free agents set to hit the market, Los Angeles will have a number of tough decisions starting with the team's ace.
Los Angeles Dodgers offseason decision: Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw finished the 2023 season with a 13-5 record, 137 strikeouts, and a 2.46 ERA as the team's unquestioned ace. Kershaw will be leaned on during the postseason as well for a rotation that has dealt with a myriad of injuries and clearly is counting on Kershaw to take on a heavy workload and set the example for a team whose biggest question mark is the rotation.
Fast forward past the postseason and Kershaw is set to hit free agency as an unrestricted free agent. Kershaw has been a Dodger since 2008 and will be heading into his age 36 season, but there is reason to wonder if it is time for the Dodgers to turn the page.
However, considering the way pitchers have been aging, there is reason to believe Kershaw has two to three productive seasons ahead of him. It is impossible to see the Dodgers pitcher in any other uniform as tough as it might be the Dodgers have never been shy about spending top dollar and this is a player the team must retain if Kershaw is willing to return. While the Dodgers have a number of key players hitting free agency, this will be the story of the offseason when it comes to the current roster.
Los Angeles Dodgers offseason decision: J.D. Martinez
It is hard to be appreciated properly when you are sharing a lineup with Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Both players will likely be given plenty of MVP votes and consideration ... and rightly so considering their impressive accomplishments over the past season.
However, if there is one key to the Dodgers great lineup that goes overlooked by many, it is J.D. Martinez. While it was far from a perfect season, the veteran posted great numbers driving in 103 aided by 62 extra base hits.
Again the Dodgers are going to have to weigh the value that Martinez brought versus what is expected going forward from a player in his mid-30s. Martinez had a great season and deserves to be brought back, but there should be a healthy level of concern when it comes to expected drop off for a soon to be 36-year-old player.
Martinez has shown no signs of slowing down rebounding from his career-worst 2020 season to put up strong numbers each of the last three. The Dodgers will have plenty of options in free agency to replace Martinez and will have to make a tough decision on an underappreciated part of a great Dodger offense.
Los Angeles Dodgers offseason decision: Max Muncy
Max Muncy is at the plate to drive in runners and hit the ball a long way ... period. Muncy is a career .227 hitter and isn't going to scare a lot of pitchers focused on pitching their way around Martinez, Freeman, and Betts. Muncy has 36 homers and 105 runs driven in speaking to his value and approach at the plate.
Whether or not the Dodgers bring Muncy back depends on a myriad of factors, with the team obviously unwilling to be tied down to Muncy on a contract they can't escape. This approach at the plate has worked for Muncy for a number of seasons, but clearly has gone sideways for more than one slugger.
If the homers stop for Muncy, he isn't the type of hitter who can simply make adjustments and hit for average. His value is in his ability to knock the ball out of the park and there are a number of free agents set to hit the market that could arguably be an upgrade.
Muncy isn't the Dodgers only tough choice this offseason, but he is one of the more interesting decisions for a team that will likely be all in yet again in the 2024 offseason.