November 6th, 2024 at 9:00 am 
by Jesse Pearce Should the Dodgers be outbid for each of their free agents (other than Clayton Kershaw), fail to sign a substantive MLB free agent from the 2025 class, and stand pat in the trade market, they will still be the overwhelming favorite to repeat as World Series Champions.
(LA Dodgers)
But the team will not stand pat and will not allow complacency to erode the opportunity to be a dynasty with multiple championships over the next decade and beyond.
While Dodgers players and fans bask in the 2024 World Series Championship, Andrew Friedman, perhaps MLB’s unofficial executive of the decade, and his staff are considering various scenarios for the 40-man rosters in 2025 and beyond. There are questions to be answered about the availability of players recovering from injuries, offers to internal and/or external free agents, which prospects are ready to take their place on the roster or to be used as trade capital. Nonetheless, the Dodgers are well positioned for parades and parties in 2025-27.
For MLB fans, the Hot Stove League has opened for business!
ThinkBlue LA wants to know your thoughts on the 2025 roster – free agency, trades, prospects, those players who you think are keepers or trade capital. We look forward to your thoughts on player moves for the upcoming season.
To get things started, here are a few roster moves the Dodgers might consider for 2025 and beyond:
- In addition to Kershaw, bring back pitchers Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen, and super utility player Kiké Hernández. Do not extend contract offers to pitchers Zach Logue and Brett Honeywell. Chris Taylor is released.
- While free agent outfielder Juan Soto is by far the number one MLB free agent on the 2025 market, the Dodgers target should be 29-year-old, slick-fielding, power-hitting shortstop Willie Adames. The addition of Adames frees up 2024 NLCS MVP Tommy Edman for second base or center field, and fan-favorite Miguel Rojas for platoon duty at third while backing up at second base and shortstop.
- The Dodgers and White Sox could/should pull off the block buster trade that was bandied about prior to the 2024 trade deadline: southpaw pitcher Garrett Crochett and center fielder Luis Robert Jr. come to LA. The cost in players will be steep for the Dodgers, perhaps pitchers Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, and Michael Grove, outfielder Andy Pages, and infielder Gavin Lux.
- The St. Louis Cardinals and Dodgers make a smaller, but significant trade: switch-hitter Brendan Donovan (left field, second base, third base, and shortstop) goes to LA for reliever Edgardo Henriquez, infielder/outfielder prospect Ryan Ward, and infield/outfield prospect Austin Gauthier.
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Here’s how the Dodgers stack up as of this writing;
- Starting pitchers (6*): Walker Buehler, Garrett Crochet, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani*, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Kershaw (after rehab period)
- Bullpen (8): Anthony Banda, Brusdar Graterol, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Kopech, Dustin May, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia
- Catcher (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
- Infield (5): Willie Adames, Tommy Edman, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas
- Outfield (5): Mookie Betts, Kiké Hernández (utility), Luis Robert Jr., Dalton Rushing, Brendan Donovan (utility)
- DH (1): Ohtani (Carrying Ohtani as a two-way player allows the Dodgers to have 14 pitchers instead of the MLB maximum of 13, although it is unlikely that he will pitch again in a Dodgers uniform – but he could)
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What do you think Dodgers fans? What trades do you think the team will make? Which free agents will the Dodgers sign? Other roster changes you see the Dodgers making as they shape the 2025 roster?
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Posted in 
GREAT piece, Jesse. Thanks!!!
Jesse – Are you implying that the dodgers should not resign Teoscar Hernades? Lets go all out, the Dodgers should sign Willie Adames and Corbin Burnes. They wanted both last year. How about Roki Sasaki if he becomes available?
First, I am a fan of Teo not only for his talent but his intangibles as a terrific teammate. But, I think the Dodgers need to start the process of getting younger. Ages for 2025 season: Betts (32), Freeman (35), Smith (30), Muncy (34), Taylor (34), Rojas (36), Barnes (35). Teo will be 32 for the 2025 season. So, yaes, Teo gets a longer, more lucrative deal elsewhere. In his place, Dodgers trade for CF’er Robert with Rush, Kike, Donovan, and possibly Outman handling LF. Teo’s money goes toward signing Adames who statistically offsets Hernandez offense and substantially upgrades the overall defense.
Agreed, Dodgers should make certain that they set aside enough salary budget for Saski. While Burns is a terrific pitcher, the Dodgers are loaded with outstanding RH pitching talent, now in the future. I would rather have the younger and much less expensive LH’er Crochet.
I’m not sure I agree with trading Bobby Miller. I think he will recover his consistency though I agree Crochet is more desirable to the Dodgers because he is left handed. A tough trade to make.
While I would LOVE the Dodgers to have Roberts Jr. I am loath to say we do not sign Teo. His value is much greater than his on field performance
The only reason I think Miller could be included (only in a block buster) is the Dodgers deep, deep pipeline of RH pitchers. I don’t mean to imply that the Dodgers should shop him around, only trade him for established difference maker(s). I am with you about Teo — and I will not be disappointed if the Dodgers decide to bring him back for 3 years for the point you made. Also, I wrote this before the story came out that Mookie may/will return to the infield in 2025. Taking Betts away from the OF leaves a spot for Teo and Luis Roberts Jr.
Rather sign
Teo
Kiki
Buehler
Treinin
Maybe Tanner Scott
Go to spring training
We are in agreement on Kike, Buehler and Treinen. Tanner Scott is tempting but he will come at a much higher price and similar talent as Banda and Vesia. I think Dodgers will move southpaw Wrobleski to the bullpen.
Jesse, it’s been a while since we’ve chatted but i’ve always enjoyed exchanging ideas with you;
i believe the team would be stronger with shohei in right.
locking this guy into the DH at his age has limited the teams ability to rest smith’s knees, or improve the defense at 3rd and LF on any given night.
i suspect Teo gets a multi year deal somewhere else and the dodgers are going to have to make some decisions about outman, pages and rushing if they want to lock up a long term FA who, also, wont be able to DH as their legs give out.
just look across town when LAA had trout and pujols and sho but only one could DH at time.
i don’t think they give up on CT3 at this point ($15M) but if he doesn’t figure it out, i could see it happening before may 1st.
i hope kike finally gets a deal he believes he deserves but i dont think it will be here either.
Gonsolin was horrible coming out of the pen but an AS as a starter.
i don’t see walker staying unless it’s a very team friendly 1+1 type deal, there are just too many young promising players to keep paying and blocking promotions.
i could be very wrong. this free spending, FA chasing, front office seems like a completely different mindset than they had pre-2020 when they were not giving out long term deals to anyone. (remember the offer they made harper?)
if i was going to give a mega-deal to anyone it would have been CS5 who could move to 3rd, 1st then DH as his age progressed.
I was bummed when Seager left. I think the front office made a huge mistake and alienated a HOF quality player.
Good point about giving Taylor a chance to win his spot on roster in spring training. In my scenario, the Dodgers acquire Donovan from the Cardinals and re-sign Kike — leaving no room for Taylor. He has been a favorite of mine, but if he cannot remake his swing before spring training it is better to release him and put someone of the roster who will contribute offensively.
i understood letting CS5 walk because it didn’t fit with the business model until they turned around and gave 13 years. now mega deal after mega deal and i no longer understand letting him go.
Kike believes he should get a contract similar to CT3 or Gordon’s. i cant argue with that even though it hasn’t happened. i expect AF will make him the same offer as this year (love to have you, don’t want to pay you, call me if you don’t get a better deal)
Pitching is always a premium and WB is no fool. he put himself in the absolute best possible position to make a free agent case by being the final MLB memory for the year and repeating that he has realized he cant overpower hitters anymore and has learned to pitch now. he’ll be looking for 4+ years. does he get it?
likewise treinen, he’ll get offers.
i’m always amused by the fans who think every player will give said fan’s team a discount to join or stay or that some one sided deal is going to take place, just, you know, because…
in spite of that throw (on one of the slowest runners in MLB) Teo’s defense is a liability and going to get worse not better. a long term deal for a guy who has to be pulled every night for defensive concerns is not a good approach. great guy with great energy, not a great fit for the long haul. it might be different if DH wasn’t locked for the next decade.
Great points! You should write a piece for ThinkBlue.
Couple of things to consider
1-signing Teo will not increase the payroll much at all. He was paid this yr about the same as he will get as a free agent
2- Joe Kelly and Dan Hudson are coming off the payroll. So add Buehler 2024 salary
Plus huddy and Kelly and you easily can pay
Walker 2 yrs 30 plus an optional 3rd.
3-treinin won’t cost much mY e 2 yrs 17 mil.
4-kiki could come back for a 2 yr
16mil type of deal and we could trade ct3 with us sending 10 mil of his salary
So we would save 5 mil of Kiki’s salary.
I think that would give us a solid core.
1 – signing Teo may now be a priority with Betts moving back to second base. My concern was the best use of salary, an aging roster, and getting a legit CF’er. Remember what happened to the Giants after their World Series run? The roster got old, they tanked, and still trying to recover. My premise is to win World Championships for the next decade, not the next couple.
2 – I’m all for bringing back Buehler on a lower guaranteed salary + incentives for IP.
3 – I like Treinen and hope he returns.
4 – Love to have Kike back for two years at a reasonable salary, especially if Teo leaves.
I think the team has a solid core now, but need to start phasing in younger players who will become the core in the next few years.
I did