Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: LA Chasing One Team for Best in Baseball

The Dodgers fell short of repeating as the kings of baseball after their postseason run was cut short by the eventual champions, the Atlanta Braves. That outmode may have shifted the balance of power in Major League Baseball as ESPN’s Buster Olney released his rankings of the top teams in baseball heading into the 2022 season. 

The Tampa Bay Rays land at the No. 5 spot, the Blue Jays ranked No. 4, and the White Sox reached the No. 3 spot. The Dodgers of course were denied once again by the Braves as they ranked No. 2 while Atlanta claimed No. 1. 



While Los Angeles is still loaded with talent up and down their roster, the rotation is thin with the departure of Max Scherzer and free agent Clayton Kershaw, and Trevor Bauer’s status is still up in the air. As of right now the rotation likely includes Walker Buehler, Julio Urías, and some mix of Tony Gonsolin, David Price, Andrew Heaney, Mitch White, etc. Another frontline starter would help in catching the Braves as well as adding another big bat, preferably left-handed, to replace the loss of Corey Seager. 

Stealing Freddie Freeman away from the Braves would kill two birds with one stone as they would deny them of a big power bat while filling a need of their own. If they wanted to go a different route, they could presumably take a flyer on former Colorado Rockie, Trevor Story, and move Trea Turner back to second. 

Once the lockout finally ends, these rankings may change as teams will once again be searching for upgrades to their rosters. The Dodgers will certainly have some moves to make as the Braves will still have a solid core of young players that include Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Max Fried, Ian Anderson, etc. They’re also led by a veteran coaching staff that knows how to utilize their talent. 

NEXT: Spring Training Start is ‘in Peril’ After Most Recent CBA Conversations

5 Comments

  1. Personnel wise the Dodgers will be weaker in 2022 than 2021. Last year was almost ideal to repeat. Especially when AF got Sherzer and T Turner. But DR mismanaged the pitching staff again. It will be much harder in 2022.

  2. These rankings are meaningless until opening day as there will be plenty of roster-changing moves after the lockout ends. Nevertheless, the point about signing Freeman as being a double-edged sword is a good one. The Braves do look good.

  3. Picking the champion as number one is just as lazy as Vegas annually picking the Dodgers because of their record and rosters

  4. They need to sign Freddie Freeman, Kris Bryant, and Carlos Rodon, as well as trade for a starter like Shane Bieber, Kyle Hendricks, and or Tyler Glasnow.

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