Dodgers: What Would the 2023 Roster Look Like if L.A. Makes No Moves?
The Dodgers are likely to be active on both the free agent and trade markets this offseason, but what would their roster look like if they just stand pat?
For purposes of this discussion, “standing pat” will allow picking up options and tendering contracts, but not adding anyone from outside the organization. This exercise might help us identify areas of need going into the postseason.
Position players:
- Catcher: Will Smith
- First base: Freddie Freeman
- Second base: Gavin Lux
- Shortstop: Jacob Amaya
- Third base: Max Muncy
- Left field: Chris Taylor
- Center field: Cody Bellinger
- Right field: Mookie Betts
- Designated hitter: Justin Turner
- Backup catcher: Austin Barnes
- Bench: Trayce Thompson
- Bench: Edwin Rios
- Bench: Miguel Vargas
There are a few spots we could quibble with there. Did Trayce do enough to justify bringing him back? For that matter, did Bellinger? Should James Outman have one of those spots? Should Vargas be starting somewhere, and if so, where? Is Amaya ready to take over at shortstop?
All in all, though, it’s not terrible. There are some definite areas of concern, but this offense could be decent.
Pitchers:
- Starter: Julio Urias
- Starter: Tony Gonsolin
- Starter: Dustin May
- Starter: Bobby Miller
- Starter: Gavin Stone
- Reliever: Evan Phillips
- Reliever: Yency Almonte
- Reliever: Caleb Ferguson
- Reliever: Alex Vesia
- Reliever: Brusdar Graterol
- Reliever: Blake Treinen
- Reliever: Justin Bruihl
- Reliever: Phil Bickford
This starting rotation could be solid, but it’s scary to go into the season with just one sure thing. We don’t know when (or if) May will return to form, and Gonsolin’s late-season injury could linger into next season. Then you have Miller and Stone, two top pitching prospects who have never thrown a big-league pitch.
You could substitute Ryan Pepiot or Michael Grove or Andre Jackson for one or two of those guys, so the depth isn’t the concern. The issue is the lack of talent and experience at the top.
In the bullpen, you have eight guys who all contributed to the 111-win team in one way or another. Bruihl and Bickford were easily the worst of the bunch, and Treinen missed most of the season with injury. It could be a solid bullpen, but it could use another piece or two.
This won’t be what the 2023 Dodgers roster looks like, but it’s a good exercise to look at what they currently have to help gauge what they need to do in the offseason.
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No Kimbrel or Gallo. Good start.
I would say put Busch at 2nd base and Lux at shortstop. Choose bench players from Thompson, Rios, Pages and Outman. Saves payroll for pitching needs. The biggest questions, as stated, are what to do with Belli and Trayce…
Did Kershaw retire ?
I don’t see him listed as a starting pitcher.
Kershaw is a free agent, so he’s disqualified for purposes of this discussion.
Offense looks ok, not great unless Belli and Max can return to form, albeit missing Trea Turner.
Pitching is a little weaker. I see 3 starters. With the standard injuries you need at least 6, if not 7 or 8. I know it might sound absurd, but that’s where the game is today.