Dodgers Could Emerge as Serious Players For Starting Pitching This Off-Season 

   Things could become incredibly spicy this winter if the Los Angeles Dodgers significantly upgrade a Starting rotation that proved detrimental in their latest postseason exit. 

   Despite winning another NL West Division title, the franchise’s 21st of such, the Dodgers showed little resistance as they were swept 3-0 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS, adding a disappointing finish to a rather promising 2023 campaign. 

   Among the causes of their demise was an ineffective Starting Rotation, which surrendered 13 runs on 16 hits – including five home runs – and three walks across only 4.2 innings, leading to an MLB-worst 25.07 starter’s ERA. They also recorded just two strikeouts during that span. 

   The trio of Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Miller and Lance Lynn imploded in the worst possible way during the best-of-five series versus Arizona. To be fair, the Dodgers’ pitching staff probably would’ve been more formidable had this season gone differently. 

   Injuries played a significant role, as they usually do, which axed the possibility of Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery), Tony Gonsolin (Tommy John surgery) or Dustin May (Flexor tendon surgery) factoring into the equation. 

   Julio Urías, Los Angeles’ ace for most of 2023, was also unavailable after being placed on MLB’s Administrative Leave following his second domestic violence arrest in four years. Though investigations are ongoing, the 27-year-old is set to become a free agent this winter. 

   There’s plenty of uncertainty surrounding the 2024 Dodgers’ rotation, starting with Kershaw, who sounded unsure about his future following the club’s NLDS defeat. If he decides to return, the left-hander could require shoulder surgery to address a nagging issue. 

   The future Hall-of-Fame pitcher will reach the open market for a second consecutive off-season. But unlike last winter, a 17th season with Los Angeles appears far less certain for the 10-time All-Star. 

   Losing Kershaw, whether it’s to retirement or another franchise, would be a significant blow for a Dodgers’ staff that’s likely to part ways with Urías and Lynn, whose contract includes an $18 million 2024 club option with a $1 million buyout. But that’s not all. 

   They will also be without Gonsolin next season and probably won’t welcome May back from injury until closer to the All-Star break. Not to mention, Buehler will be coming off a 21-month hiatus from big-league competition. 

   That means, as currently constructed, the Dodgers are slated to open next season with a starting rotation centred around Buehler and Miller. The final three spots would then be up for grabs between youngsters Michael Grove, Emmet Sheehan, Ryan Pepiot and Gavin Stone – a less-than-ideal outcome. 

   As talented as those four are, beginning next season with several inexperienced starters likely won’t cut it, especially for a team recently reminded of how quality starting pitching can be a difference-maker during the playoffs. 

   The good news is the Dodgers should possess plenty of financial capital over these next few months, as FanGraphs projects their 2024 Collective Balance Tax payroll at roughly $137.5 million. The bad news, however, is this year’s free-agent class for starting pitchers is thin on top-end talent. 

   This winter’s cream of the crop begins with Blake Snell – the leading favourite to win this season’s NL Cy Young Award – and Sonny Gray. It could also include Marcus Stroman, who’s expected to opt out of the final year of his $71-million contract. And don’t sleep on Japan’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto. 

   The next tier of hurlers should feature a slightly wider cast, including Aaron Nola, Jordan Montgomery, Alex Cobb, Eduardo Rodriguez (opt-out) and Kyle Gibson. But it’s also possible none of these arms ultimately reach free agency and remain with their current clubs. 

   In an ideal world, Los Angeles’ front office flexes its financial muscles and signs at least two hurlers from these top two free-agent tiers, better complementing its current staff. Targeting an experienced backend starter would also likely add another element to the club’s internal competition. 

   There would be some limitations on the Dodgers’ spending spree, at least for pitchers, considering they undoubtedly have their sights set on two-way star Shohei Ohtani. He wouldn’t impact their starting rotation in 2024 but could in future seasons after recovering from TJ surgery. 

   The franchise’s elite prospect system could also hold considerable leverage in trade discussions involving a marquee starting pitcher – such as Chicago’s Dylan Cease, Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes or Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow. 

   If there’s one lesson the Dodgers can take from yet another early postseason exit, it’s that reliable starting pitching is just as crucial as a potent offence during this time of the year. Teams that possess both are typically the ones that enjoy sustainable playoff runs. 

   After rostering one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups in 2023, now’s the time for president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and his staff to address the other aspect of that sure-fire formula. 

-Thomas Hall

Twitter: @ThomasHall85

Photo: Arturo Pardavila III. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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