Dave Roberts Calls 2025 Dodgers ‘Most Talented Roster’ He’s Had

The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the season overseas without two of their best players. The Tokyo Series featured a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs, despite a noticeable absence from both Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in the lineup.

More news: Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Has Lost Nearly 20 Pounds, Can’t Eat Solid Foods Amid Brutal Illness

Betts has remained sidelined by an ongoing stomach ailment, while Freeman experienced left rib discomfort which kept him from competing in the Opening Series.

Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy called the loss of both superstars “two gut punches” for the team.

“We just played two games without two star players,” Muncy said. “We get told that Mookie’s not going to be able to go, he’s not going to be here, he’s going to fly back home. Then we get told right before the (first) game that Freddie can’t play.”

Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers were able to persevere without the duo because of the talent on the roster. It’s hard to imagine what the defending champions would have done had the Dodgers not been so aggressive this offseason bringing in a plethora of talent and depth.

“Obviously, we’ve had a lot of great rosters, but this is probably the most talented roster — and I keep saying that it seems like every year that we’ve had,” Roberts said. “You lose your two best players 48 hours before Opening Day (Betts and Freeman) and to still move forward is pretty remarkable. And to kind of keep guys sharp, relevant, to make sure I get those guys that are on the bench current, keep them relevant is probably the most flexibility that we’ve had.”

Though there were grumblings from the baseball world because of the Dodgers’ successful offseason, the loss of Betts and Freeman in the lineup perfectly demonstrated why the defending champions had to be aggressive in signing talent this winter.

More news: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Provides Massive Update on Mookie Betts’ Health, Potential Return to Action

Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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