It’s an opportune time to take inventory of the place issues stand for the 2026 Dodgers.
FanGraphs’ 2026 depth charts projections present a helpful snapshot of the place this roster stands, as of Tuesday, in contrast with the remainder of the league. (That’s when it comes to FanGraphs’ Wins Above Substitute, or WAR.) So let’s go place by place to gauge the place the Dodgers are set and the place they could look to enhance.
Catcher: ninth in MLB (3.8 projected WAR)
Los Angeles has no worries behind the plate, the place Will Smith will get it accomplished 12 months after 12 months. If there’s intrigue right here, it considerations whether or not Dalton Dashing turns into a stable No. 2 choice in his age-25 season. Dashing entered 2025 as a high prospect, however he struggled mightily in his transition to the Majors. There’s additionally an opportunity the Dodgers might use him in a commerce to handle one other want and search for a veteran backup as an alternative.
First base: fifth in MLB (3.2 projected WAR)
Freddie Freeman is as reliable as they arrive. In 4 seasons as a Dodger, he’s averaged 153 video games performed. For the previous two seasons, he’s been proper across the 4-WAR mark. Freeman did flip 36 in September, although.
Second base: twenty third in MLB (2.0 projected WAR)
This is without doubt one of the extra unsure spots on the diamond for the Dodgers. The above projection consists of three gamers getting vital enjoying time: Hyeseong Kim, Tommy Edman and Rojas (plus a little bit of Alex Freeland). However every of these three major choices might additionally spend time elsewhere, together with Edman in heart subject, if he can bounce again from a proper ankle harm that hampered him in 2025. The Dodgers might additionally add another person to this combine, though if the workforce is seeking to bolster its lineup, the outfield may be a extra logical goal.
Third base: twelfth in MLB (3.0 projected WAR)
Max Muncy continues to convey a potent bat to the desk, however he’s additionally 35 and has been banged up over the previous two seasons, enjoying a complete of 173 video games. That’s why he’s solely projected right here for 455 plate appearances. Freeland is the highest backup listed, and it will be attention-grabbing to see what the 24-year-old switch-hitter might do with a extra prolonged alternative. Freeland struggled in a 29-game debut in 2025 (.601 OPS), however he loved a stellar season at Triple-A and is ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 45 prospect (No. 4 within the Dodgers’ system).
Shortstop: fifth in MLB (5.1 projected WAR)
While you take a step again, it’s really exceptional that Los Angeles can enter 2026 feeling assured in having Mookie Betts as their common shortstop. Betts was a top-10 defender on the place by Statcast’s Outs Above Common in ’25, and whereas he’s now a 12 months older, at 33, he additionally figures to be much more comfy on the place. In a shocking twist, it’s now Betts’ bat that’s maybe the larger query mark after his offensive numbers fell off significantly final season.
Left subject: 18th in MLB (1.8 projected WAR)
Middle subject: eleventh in MLB (2.9 projected WAR)
Proper subject: 14th in MLB (1.9 projected WAR)
We’ll take these collectively, since there may be overlap among the many three positions. (Actually, Andy Pages is projected to steer the Dodgers in enjoying time in each left and heart.) Whereas the workforce’s outfield state of affairs is hardly dire — it nonetheless ranks within the high half of the league total — it’s additionally not onerous to see why this has been thought of an space of want this offseason. There are query marks about Edman’s well being and Teoscar Hernández’s protection, and as issues at the moment stand, gamers equivalent to Alex Name and Ryan Ward (who can be a 28-year-old rookie) are projected to get vital at-bats in backup roles. A high free agent equivalent to Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger, or a notable commerce acquisition, would clearly change the equation, and this may be the spot most price watching over the remainder of the offseason.
Designated hitter: 1st in MLB (5.5 WAR)
Beginning rotation: 1st in MLB (17.1 WAR)
If you happen to suppose again to the 2025 postseason, this needs to be no shock. Every time the Dodgers have the majority of their rotation wholesome and clicking on the identical time, they’re going to shut down plenty of lineups. The principle query is how usually that may occur. The excellent news for supervisor Dave Roberts is that he has choices and depth past the workforce’s enviable high 4 of Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Ohtani. Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, River Ryan and Gavin Stone are simply a few of the younger pitchers who can be within the combine for a rotation spot or accessible in reserve in 2026.
Bullpen: 1st in MLB (4.7 WAR)
If you happen to suppose again to the 2025 postseason, this seems like a shock. Then once more, this was a top-five common season bullpen by fWAR final season, and that was with out Díaz closing video games. The projections additionally see the Dodgers getting appreciable rebounds in 2026 from the likes of Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen. A wholesome Brusdar Graterol additionally would assist, and as soon as once more, there may be depth accessible, together with from a number of of the beginning candidates talked about above. It could even be silly to rule out the opportunity of additional additions to this combine because the winter progresses.
