GLENDALE, Ariz. — Coming into the offseason, the Dodgers knew they wanted to make some adjustments.
Regardless of profitable 100 video games, the Dodgers fell in need of their purpose, dropping within the Nationwide League Division Sequence for the second season in a row. The largest want they needed to tackle was beginning pitching. They did simply that, signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto and James Paxton whereas buying and selling for Tyler Glasnow.
However because the Dodgers re-tooled their roster this offseason, in addition they made important adjustments to their outfield image.
Essentially the most important transfer, in fact, was transferring Mookie Betts, a six-time Gold Glove Award winner in proper discipline, to second base. It’s a transfer that Betts has been hoping to make sooner or later in his profession, and the Dodgers felt the ‘24 season was the fitting time for it.
With Betts now a second baseman, the Dodgers knew they wanted to make some additions within the outfield. Los Angeles completed that purpose, signing Teoscar Hernández and Jason Heyward by way of free company and buying Manuel Margot.
How will all these new items get labored on this season? Issues will change all year long, however that is how the Dodgers plan on splitting up taking part in time in all three outfield spots.
As soon as the Dodgers determined to maneuver Betts to the infield, they knew essentially the most crucial place to fill was left discipline. The best match was a participant who hits left-handed pitching however may additionally play important time towards righties.
The Dodgers had been focused on a handful of gamers this winter, which included Tommy Pham. However after exploring their choices, the Dodgers recognized Hernández as the best choice. Hernández has been terrorizing left-handed pitching all through his profession, posting an .887 OPS towards southpaws. Hernández has additionally been strong towards righties, posting an above-average .772 OPS.
This 12 months, Hernández would be the Dodgers’ prime choice in left discipline.
“He actually needed to be a Dodger,” mentioned supervisor Dave Roberts. “The slug will likely be there, the runs batted in and all that stuff. He’s 100% in, and I feel he’s going to have a unbelievable season.”
Behind Hernández, the Dodgers will give some taking part in time to Chris Taylor, who will transfer again into the super-utility position that made him a useful piece of the puzzle. Miguel Vargas, who got here into camp in left discipline, will likely be a depth piece, more likely to begin in Triple-A.
As soon as the Dodgers parted methods with Cody Bellinger earlier than the ‘23 season, there was a number of uncertainty about what that place would seem like. However after profitable the job in camp, James Outman solidified himself as the person for the job. Outman’s protection picked up in direction of the second half of the season and he’ll come into the ‘24 season because the beginning middle fielder.
Roberts, nevertheless, mentioned he’ll look to present Outman some days off all through the season, notably towards southpaws. When Outman sits, Margot can be the subsequent man up.
“I would like him on the market,” Roberts mentioned of Outman. “He’s proven he can take good at-bats towards left-handed pitching, so it’s undoubtedly not a platoon state of affairs. It’s extra of how can I preserve Manny concerned state of affairs.”
What the Dodgers do all through the season in proper discipline will likely be fascinating. After a resurgent season on the plate in ‘23, Heyward will deal with many of the taking part in time. Heyward’s protection was simply nearly as good, if not higher, than Betts’ final season. The important thing in ‘24 will likely be for Heyward to supply related manufacturing on the plate this season.
If he does, Heyward ought to give the Dodgers a viable choice towards right-handed pitching. Towards lefties, the Dodgers could have choices. Margot has performed proper discipline over the previous few seasons in Tampa Bay. Hernandez may additionally slide over to proper to get Taylor or Margot within the lineup concurrently.
The items to the puzzle will in the end be decided primarily based on manufacturing. However after the Dodgers spent all winter attempting to suit the items, they head into the ‘24 season assured with what they’ll trot on the market on a nightly foundation.
