The Los Angeles Dodgers had an extremely successful 2025 season, however they still have work to do on their lineup ahead of 2026.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale believes the Dodgers will look to further bolster their lineup following their World Series win, and will take an aggressive approach in the offseason.
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“[The Dodgers] Just freed up $87 million, with Clayton Kershaw, Michael Conforto, Chris Taylor and Kirby Yates off the books,” Nightengale wrote. “They’ll still be aggressive as anyone and will come away at the least with a high-priced closer.”
The Dodgers spent big on a closer after the 2024 season, signing Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract to fill the role. Scott didn’t have the season the Dodgers would have liked, posting a 4.74 ERA and missing the postseason entirely, so they will likely look to sign one of Edwin Díaz or Robert Suarez — the free agency class’ best closers — to fill the position.
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They’ll also look to replace Conforto, who spent a majority of the 2025 season in left field and also did not appear in the postseason. He posted the lowest OPS he had ever recorded in 2025 and batted south of the Mendoza line for nearly the entire season, finishing the year with a .199 batting average.
LA has been linked to All-Star outfielders such as Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger in the early offseason, and could pound on them to reinforce their outfield.
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The Dodgers spent big ahead of the 2025 season to put together an elite pitching staff, and need to do the same with their bullpen before next season due to their performances towards the end of the season. If seasons past are anything to go off of, the Dodgers won’t let a high price tag stop them from trying to improve.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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3 Responses
Bullpen!
Bring back Cody because he will be Motivated to play better. He fits in outfield anywhere, first base anytime.
Kiki can play infield, or outfield and has improved his ability to put ball in play.
Dodgers will have Edman coming off surgery to hopefully fix his chronic ankle. They picked up Call at the trade deadline and have Kim who can also play the outfield and promoted Ward from OKC to their 40 man roster. Rushing is not getting at bats behind Smith do they put him in the OF? Do they re-sign Kike and Miggy? I think they will. I am not convinced they sign anyone to a long term deal.
In the bullpen signing Yates and Scott was disastrous, Dodgers have Phillips, Graterol and Hurt coming off the IL. Treinen will probably pitch better. I am not convinced about Scott. Dodgers have a potential rotation of Ohtani, Yamamoto, Sasaski, Snell, Glasnow and Sheehan. They have Wrobleski who has proven himself. Do the Dodgers trade away a young arm for a position player it will be interesting to see what they plan to do,
I would pass on Tucker and go after Bader. Could get him for 2 or 3 years as a bridge to our prospects.. Tucker wants 10 years and $400M. Could probably get Bader for 3 years and $30M.