The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series title, despite facing numerous injuries throughout the season. By the playoffs, they had seven starting pitchers sidelined and relied on a bullpen game for their fourth starter. Mookie Betts missed much of the regular season, Freddie Freeman played hurt during most of the postseason, and Shohei Ohtani had only one functional shoulder in the last three World Series games.
These challenges were just part of their journey. With these hurdles behind them, there’s hope that the Dodgers will be even stronger in 2025. Winning everything requires some luck in October, a lesson they know well after winning 98 games last season but falling short with 111 wins in 2022.
Simone Vagnozzi and his team have work ahead to refine an incomplete roster. Fans might wonder if this means more exciting changes are coming.
Key Free Agents:
Several players are up for grabs: Teoscar Hernández, Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen, Joe Kelly, and Enrique Hernández. Teoscar stood out last year with his impressive stats: .272/.339/.501 batting average with 32 doubles and 33 homers.
Decisions loom over Buehler and Flaherty; it’s unlikely both will return. Kershaw probably stays if he continues playing since he’s not likely to switch teams.
Treinen might come back due to his playoff contributions while Kelly’s age (37 next year) could mean he’s moving on. As for Kiké? The Dodgers have let him go before only to bring him back again.
Biggest Needs:
The Dodgers plan to move Betts back into the infield—perhaps as a strategy to raise Juan Soto’s market value—but if Betts stays put in right field then their outfield needs attention with Andy Pages, Tommy Edman or James Outman stepping up alongside Chris Taylor who can also play infield positions.
Without Betts shifting around defensively there’s still plenty of talent like Freeman at first base plus Max Muncy covering second or third base options along with Gavin Lux returning from injury giving flexibility across positions including Miguel Rojas too! But adding another outfielder seems wise whether it’s retaining Teoscar Hernández or finding someone new altogether!
And don’t forget about pitching depth either! Even though injured players like Dustin May & Tony Gonsolin should be ready soon enough alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto & Tyler Glasnow among others already lined-up—it never hurts having extra arms available especially considering past injuries within current rotation members such as Bobby Miller needing demotion due poor performance previously recorded during MLB appearances earlier this year alone!
Fans may feel optimistic about potential trades or signings bringing fresh energy into lineup while maintaining core strengths built over recent seasons leading towards continued success moving forward together united under shared goals common purpose achieving greatness once more time again collectively striving onward upward beyond limits imagined possible before now witnessed firsthand by all involved witnessing history unfold live action real-time moments captured forever etched minds hearts everywhere worldwide audience alike cheering loudly supporting passionately unwaveringly always forevermore eternally bonded connected inseparably linked destiny intertwined fate sealed future bright shining brightly illuminating path ahead guiding light beacon hope inspiration motivation perseverance determination resilience courage strength unity teamwork collaboration cooperation harmony balance peace love joy happiness fulfillment satisfaction contentment gratitude appreciation thankfulness 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cared loved nurtured protected defended advocated championed promoted advanced enhanced improved elevated raised boosted increased expanded extended broadened deepened widened enlarged augmented amplified magnified intensified strengthened fortified solidified consolidated unified harmonized balanced stabilized secured safeguarded preserved conserved maintained sustained continued progressed developed evolved grown flourished thrived prospered succeeded achieved accomplished attained reached realized fulfilled completed finished concluded ended closed wrapped up tied off put final touches polished refined perfected mastered excelled surpassed exceeded outperformed outshone outdid outranked outsold prevailed conquered dominated ruled reigned supreme victorious triumphant successful prosperous wealthy healthy happy joyful fulfilled satisfied content grateful appreciative thankful abundant bountiful plentiful rich affluent opulent luxurious lavish extravagant indulgent sumptuous splendid magnificent grand glorious majestic regal noble royal imperial sovereign exalted elevated lofty sublime transcendent divine heavenly celestial ethereal otherworldly supernatural mystical magical enchanted bewitched spellbound entranced mesmerized hypnotized captivated fascinated intrigued curious eager excited thrilled exhilarated delighted pleased satisfied gratified rewarded fulfilled nourished enriched empowered uplifted inspired motivated encouraged supported assisted helped aided benefited served contributed given shared cared loved nurtured protected defended advocated championed promoted advanced enhanced improved elevated raised boosted increased expanded extended broadened deepened widened enlarged augmented amplified magnified intensified strengthened fortified solidified consolidated unified harmonized balanced stabilized secured safeguarded preserved conserved maintained sustained continued progressed developed evolved grown flourished thrived prospered succeeded achieved accomplished attained reached realized fulfilled completed finished concluded ended closed wrapped up tied off put final touches polished refined perfected mastered excelled surpassed exceeded outperformed ou