Tonight, July 2, 2020, should be the Mookie Betts bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium, with the team hosting the Cincinnati Reds. Instead, Dodgers players begin their second day of summer camp, preparing for the 2020 abbreviated 60-game schedule.

The team remains in the enviable position it held when the global pandemic ended Spring Training on March 13, the overwhelming betting favorite to represent the National League in the 2020 World Series. Without making a roster change the Dodgers may actually be in a stronger position today than they were when the Cactus League season was canceled.

You may recall that outfielder Joc Pederson was rehabbing from an oblique injury, pitcher Jimmy Nelson was likely to start the season on the IL as he was recovering from a lower-body injury, and highly regarded pitching prospect Dustin May was behind other pitchers as he was dealing with soreness in his side. All three should be fully recovered and ready to start the season. In addition, Major League Baseball moving to a universal designated hitter for 2020 made the Dodgers offense even more potent than it was in 2019 when it was the best in the National League.

Nonetheless, look for Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and his talented staff to further enhance the 60-man pool and roster as the team’s goal is the 2020 World Championship. Friedman is one of MLB’s better strategists when it comes to building a roster – for the present and the future. As much as the team is targeting this season’s World Series, they are also looking ahead to 2021, 2022, and beyond.

Lest we forget, the Dodgers have eight players who will be eligible for free agency after the season: relief pitcher Pedro Baez, outfielder Mookie Betts, utility player Kiké Hernandez, pitcher Jimmy Nelson ($2 million team option), Pederson, pitcher Blake Treinen, infielder Justin Turner, and pitcher Alex Wood.

Qualifying offers? Undoubtedly, the Dodgers will make Betts a qualifying offer. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the team cannot make Turner another QO, and Messrs Baez and Hernandez are unlikely candidates. Pederson, Treinen, and Wood must remain healthy and have huge 2020 seasons and postseasons for the team to consider making close to a $17.8 million offer.

Under normal conditions, Wood, Baez, Hernandez, and Pederson would be trade candidates prior the August 31 (for 2020) trade deadline. But with the uncertainty surrounding players’ health during the continuing pandemic, the Dodgers may value depth over any return they might receive for these players. But there are other rostered players who may be expendable for the right return to the Dodgers.

With the depth of Dodgers pitching and the premium teams place on pitching, relief pitchers Scott Alexander, Dylan Floro, Adam Kolarek, and Josh Sborz may be available in trade. And the Dodgers remain loaded with left-handed-hitting outfielders beside Pederson: Matt Beaty, Luke Raley, Edwin Rios, along with prospects Cody Thomas and Zach Reks.

Which current free agents might the Dodgers sign for 2020? My personal favorite is Russell Martin. What a great guy to have on the roster and in the clubhouse, even if he is only on the taxi squad as the third catcher. Another player to consider is utility player Scooter Gennett, who was injured in 2019, 2017, and 2018. He was one of the best offensive players in the game, and he is only 30 years old. Should the Dodgers trade one of their left-handed-hitting outfielders, Gennett might be a good guy to have on the 60-player pool.

What do you think, Dodgers fans? What changes do you think Andrew Friedman will make to the roster and players pool before Opening Day on July 24?