Let’s take a look at the 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers season, the questions the team needs to address this winter, and early predictions for 2025.

Read more: 2024 MLB offseason previews: What’s next for the Mets, Guardians, Giants and more??

Postseason result

Despite suffering injuries throughout the regular season, the Dodgers earned the first overall seed in the postseason and Won the World Series in five games against the Yankees.

Their postseason game was in danger of ending early against the Padres in the NLDS. Leading 2-1 in Los Angelesbut the Dodgers came back like a storm thanks to some dominant shots. They then beat the Mets in six NLCS games. it was all an explosion one way or another. A highly exciting bi-coastal World Series started strong with Freddie Freeman’s performance Walk-off grand slam in Game 1but from there Yankees Couldn’t quite match the relentless Dodgers.

Dodgers Showed all his strength in the World Serieswith starting pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler They take on some of the best trips of the yearHe shuts down the Yankees’ bats in big moments, and nearly every player who contributes to the offense is playing to their potential. Freeman led the way Four home runs in first four games and 1.364 OPS overall and Free agent Teoscar Hernández on hold He had seven hits in the series.

things going right

The Dodgers finished the regular season with the best record in baseball and won the NL West for the 11th time in 12 seasons on the strength of an offense that ranked second among the majors in runs scored.

Shohei Ohtani It was the biggest story in baseball.for recording one of the greatest offensive seasons in major league history. The 30-year-old hit the league’s first 50-50 series and ranked first or second in baseball in homers, steals, RBI, home runs and OPS. Ohtani should be a unanimous pick for the NL MVP award.

Ohtani was the lead, but he got plenty of support from a star-studded cast. Mookie Betts missed a lot of time due to an injury left hand broken but he was perfect (.863 OPS) in 116 games. Freddie Freeman didn’t have his best season, but it’s hard to complain about someone who hit .282 with 89 RBIs and a .854 OPS. And the one-year, $23.5 million contract for Teoscar Hernández paid big dividends, as he ranked second on the team in homers (33) and RBI (99).

things going wrong

The Dodgers finished first or second in baseball in ERA for six straight years from 2017 to 22, but they had a middle-of-the-pack roster the last two seasons. Injuries were a big problem this year as no one on the team made 150 innings. Only two starters — Gavin Stone and Tyler Glasnow — pitched 100 frames, and those two missed the postseason due to injuries. In total, 12 pitchers made at least four starts for the club.

Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were the team’s most effective starters, but Glasnow made his last start on August 11. elbow injuryand Yamamoto missed almost three months due to an illness. tight rotator cuff. Clayton Kershaw was supposed to bolster the rotation. He returned from shoulder surgery in late Julybut lasted only seven starts before returning to the IL due to an issue. toe injury. Walker Buehler was ineffective (5.38 ERA) in 16 starts. Although there was a big increase in Octoberand Bobby Miller was even worse (8.52 ERA) in his 13 appearances.

On the positive side, Jack Flaherty joined the Dodgers at the trade deadline and pitched 55 1/3 innings with a 3.58 ERA. He, Yamamoto and Buehler later became the first trio to lead the Dodgers to the postseason.

Arena was much more effective than the regular season rotation but struggled to settle into roles. Four relievers achieved at least five saves, but none reached the 20-save plateau. Going into the postseason without a certain closer wasn’t ideal for Los Angeles

Off-Season Plans

Most of the notable Dodgers players have multi-year contracts, but there are some big decisions to be made this offseason. Most importantly, the team needs answers at shortstop, left field and the back end of the bullpen.

Will Smith has been the team’s catcher for several years, although he had a weak season offensively. Freeman has been designated the starting baseman and Max Muncy will return to the hot corner. But the middle of the field is in a state of flux. Gavin Lux could continue as the second baseman, but he hasn’t had much success so far. Tommy Edman has extensive experience at second and center back, but has also played a lot of center field after that. Joining the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Betts is an option at either spot in center field, but seems more likely to be a right fielder going forward. The Dodgers could exercise a $5 million option on Miguel Rojas, but he’s better suited as a backup than shortstop.

The away field is less settled than the home field. Betts may be a right fielder, but there is no certainty at the other two spots. Hernández heads into free agency, which leaves left field wide open. Edman and Andy Pages, who posted a .712 OPS, could share center field duties. Overall, the team will need to add at least one outfielder to the mix.

The Dodgers have plenty of rotation options, but most of them come with questions and injury concerns. Assuming their health is better in 2025, Yamamoto and Glasnow should be roster anchors. Ohtani is expected to return to the mound next year. Coming off an injury-plagued season, Kershaw let this be known: He plans to take the field in 2025. Miller is also in the mix, but his ERA more than doubles in 2024. Landon Knack could compete for a rotation spot after posting a 3.65 ERA in 69 innings in 2024. Stone is expected to miss all of 2025 while recovering from shoulder surgery in October, and Buehler and Flaherty are free agents.

Other than notables Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson, most of the bullpen is scheduled to return in 2025. Both were part of the inconsistent team of late and will need to be replaced if they leave in free agency. The Dodgers’ biggest dilemma begins in the ninth inning. The team can continue to share that responsibility or rely on Michael Kopech. He thrived after coming from the White Sox at the trade deadline. Alternatively, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes could provide stability by adding a veteran closer.

Prospects on the horizon

The Dodgers are incredible at developing prospects, as they are consistently among the best teams in baseball and maintain one of the best farm systems. Somehow, as soon as leads are traded, new ones seem to appear. And there are some good ones in the pipeline right now.

Dalton Rushing is the team’s top prospect and is knocking on the door of the big boys. The 23-year-old started his minor league career as a catcher but has recently gained experience in left field thanks to Smith’s presence in Los Angeles. Rushing comes to base frequently and has remarkable strength skills.

Alex Freeland is a 2022 draft pick who reached Triple-A and should play for the Dodgers next summer. As shortstop, Freeland could fill one of several positions the Dodgers need. Although he was a career .253 hitter in the minors, he often found ways to maximize his superior speed by walking.

Finally, Justin Wrobleski is barely retaining his status as a prospect after pitching 36 1/3 innings for the Dodgers this year. The lefty has had solid minor league results in the 2024 season split between Double-A and Triple-A and profiles as a refined pitcher who doesn’t have a high ceiling but could soon help the Dodgers.

2025 goals

As in past seasons, the 2025 version of the Dodgers will be among the favorites for the World Series. After a victory over the AL’s best team in the World Series, the organization’s mindset will once again be championship or defeat.

The front office has work to do this winter to reshape the bottom half of the roster and the outfield, but the star power is already there for a team that is incredibly dominant in its league. It would be hard for the Dodgers not to have better injury luck next year, and given the ongoing financial commitment of team ownership, there’s little doubt the team’s wallet will be open this offseason.

fantasy focus

As would be expected from a star-studded roster, the Dodgers will dominate the early rounds of fantasy drafts. Ohtani will be selected first overall in most leagues, Betts will come off the board a few picks later, and Freeman will be a coveted option in Round 2.

On the pitching side, Glasnow and Yamamoto will be considered boom-or-bust options in the Round 5 slot thanks to their high-end skills and recent injuries. Smith and Muncy will be selected in the mid-round if the team decides on one person for that role by the end of spring training.