USA Today’s Bob Nightengale graded the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason an ‘A’ following their high-profile signings.
The Dodgers made two of the biggest moves of the offseason this winter, signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz and All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to multi-year deals, securing their spot at the top of baseball heading into 2026.
“The Dodgers became the first team to win consecutive World Series since the New York Yankees in 1996-2000, so what did they do?” Nightengale wrote.
“Got even better, positioning themselves for a three-peat.
“The Dodgers’ biggest nemesis last season was their bullpen, becoming such a mess that starters Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and even Clayton Kershaw pitched in relief in the postseason.
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“So instead of simply hoping that their bullpen would improve and Tanner Scott would bounce back from his horrific year, they went out and grabbed perhaps the best closer in baseball in Edwin Diaz. And if the Mets weren’t infuriated enough by the Diaz signing, the Dodgers took their No. 1 free-agent target away from them in right fielder Kyle Tucker, paying him a sunning four-year, $240 million contract.
“Just like that, the Dodgers become Exhibit 1-A for a labor war with their $413 million payroll, and mocking the mantra that the “Dodgers are ruining baseball.’’
Have the Dodgers Spent Big Like This in the Past?
Over the past several years, the Dodgers have built a winning culture through spending, and their efforts have definitely succeeded.
Over the past two seasons alone, the Dodgers have brought in superstars from across the league and even overseas. Shohei Ohtani is a clear difference maker, and has been integral in the Dodgers’ back-to-back titles. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been just as important, and was a key player for L.A. in both 2024 and 2025.
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Alongside those two, players like Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell and Teoscar Hernández have also made a huge difference so far since putting on a Dodgers jersey.
The Dodgers have set themselves up for success yet again, and if their moves pay off — which they tend to — they could very well be hoisting a third consecutive World Series trophy come the end of the 2026 season.
