Los Angeles Dodgers Last Season Performance
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the dominant force in the NL West for most of the last decade. With 9 division wins in the previous 10 years, they are becoming what the New England Patriots were in the AFC East for many years. Practically unbeatable.
The year 2022 was similar, and the Dodgers won the NL West by an absurd 22 games over the San Diego Padres. Let that set in for a second. The Padres, an excellent team, were smoked by LA in the division race and lost by a month’s worth of games, while LA went on to win 111 games.
LA will fight to dominate for yet another season.
Off-Season Changes
Key Additions
Despite a successful 2022 season, the Dodgers did not sit back and let free agency pass them by. LA added potential difference-makers Miguel Rojas, Noah Syndergaard, J.D. Martinez, David Peralta, Shelby Miller, and Alex Reyes to a talented group of players. The Dodgers also re-signed Clayton Kershaw to remain with the team, at least through the 2023 season.
Key Losses
While the Dodgers gained a lot during the offseason, it’s hard to argue against the fact that they lost more. LA let a lot of talent walk out the door and, for the first time in a long time, aren’t set up as well as they were the season before.
Among the key losses to this team include Trea Turner, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Tommy Kahnle, Joey Gallo, and Craig Kimbrel. If you compare that list to the names LA brought to replace them, it’s clear the Dodgers have lost some mojo from 2022.
An additional loss occurred just a few weeks ago during spring training. Gavin Lux was lost not to free agency but rather to injury. Lux tore his ACL and sprained his LCL in a gruesome non-contact situation. His season was over before it started and the Dodgers are down their starting second baseman.
Manager: Dave Roberts
While no manager is 100% safe, the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts has built years of goodwill in Los Angeles. Since taking over in 2016, Roberts has a 653-380 record in Los Angeles and has yet to miss the playoffs. The Dodgers have been to the World Series three times under his watch and won once in 2020.
Roberts isn’t going anywhere.
Strengths:
You could cut and paste the Dodgers’ lineup to cover the team’s strengths. There isn’t much this team doesn’t excel in doing.
With Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman on the same team, the lineup is impressive, with some of the MLB’s best players at their position. Will Smith gives them a great hitting catcher who knows how to manage a game.
Weaknesses:
The Dodgers’ weaknesses are few and far between, but they do exist. Heading into Opening Day, there is no clear choice for a starting left fielder in LA. There are options like David Peralta, Chris Taylor, or Jason Heyward. But none are great choices. Certainly not worthy of getting excited about on a team full of superstars.
The early season rotation is another issue that may linger. Tony Gonsolin won’t be back until April with a sprained ankle, while Walker Buehler may not toe the rubber at all during the 2023 season after Tommy John. That leaves a lot of pressure on the 35-year-old shoulders of Kershaw. He’s not getting any younger, and injuries are becoming more frequent.
Predictions for the 2023 Season
There are two things I know about the Dodgers 2023 season already. One is the Dodgers will be in the mix to win the division. Two, LA is not as good on paper as last season. A lot of talent walked out of the door during the offseason, and I don’t believe the Dodgers did enough to fill in the gaps left.
The Dodgers deserve to be favorites to win the NL West but don’t be shocked if the Padres take the title from them.
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