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Los Angeles Dodgers 2024 Offseason Preview: Will Shohei Ohtani and Co. be even better in 2025?

To call Shohei Ohtani's first season with the Dodgers a success would be a massive understatement. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles

Let's take a look at the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2024 season, the questions the team will have to address this winter, and the early outlook for 2025.

Read more: 2024 MLB Offseason Preview: What's Next for the Mets, Guardians, Giants and More??

Despite being plagued by injuries throughout the regular season, the Dodgers secured first place in the postseason and won the World Series in five games against the Yankees.

Their postseason threatened to end early in the NLDS against the Padres, who took a 2-1 lead against LA, but the Dodgers stormed back thanks to dominant pitching. They then defeated the Mets in six NLCS games, all of which were busts in one way or another. A very hyped Bicoastal World Series started strong with Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam in Game 1, but from then on the Yankees couldn't quite keep up with the relentless Dodgers.

The Dodgers showed their full potential in the World Series. Starters Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler delivered some of their best performances of the year, the bullpen shut down the Yankees' hitters in crucial moments, and nearly every offensive player performed to their potential. Freeman led the way with four home runs in the first four games and an overall OPS of 1.364, and impending free agent Teoscar Hernández delivered seven hits in the series.

The Dodgers finished the regular season with the best record in baseball and won the NL West for the 11th time in 12 seasons, thanks to an offense that ranked second in the majors in runs scored.

Shohei Ohtani was the biggest story in baseball as he put together one of the greatest offensive seasons in major league history. The 30-year-old recorded the league's first 50-50 season and ranked first or second in baseball in home runs, steals, RBI, runs scored and OPS. Ohtani should be a unanimous choice for NL MVP honors.

Ohtani was the headliner, but he had plenty of support from an all-star cast. Mookie Betts missed significant time due to a broken left hand, but was excellent in 116 games (.863 OPS). Freddie Freeman didn't have his best season, but it's hard to complain about someone who hit .282 with 89 RBI and an .854 OPS. And a one-year, $23.5 million deal for Teoscar Hernández paid off big, as he finished second on the team in home runs (33) and RBI (99).

The Dodgers finished first or second in baseball in ERA for six straight years from 2017 to 2022, but have had a middle-of-the-pack pitching staff the last two seasons. Injuries were a big problem this year as no one on the team threw 150 innings. Only two starters – Gavin Stone and Tyler Glasnow – have thrown 100 frames, and those two missed the postseason due to injuries. In total, 12 hurlers made at least four starts for the club.

Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were the team's most effective starters, but Glasnow made his last start on August 11 due to an elbow injury, and Yamamoto missed nearly three months with a rotator cuff strain. Clayton Kershaw was expected to give the rotation a boost when he returned from shoulder surgery in late July, but he only made seven starts before returning to IL due to a toe injury. Walker Buehler was inefficient in his 16 starts (5.38 ERA), although he made great strides in October, and Bobby Miller was even worse in his 13 appearances (8.52 ERA).

On the bright side, Jack Flaherty was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline and pitched 55 1/3 innings with a 3.58 ERA. He, Yamamoto and Buehler then became the starting trio that carried the Dodgers through the postseason.

The bullpen was much more effective than the regular season rotation, but struggled to settle on roles. Four relievers made at least five saves, but none reached the 20-save plateau. Going into the postseason without an established closer was less than ideal for LA

Most of the Dodgers' key players have multi-year contracts, but some important decisions need to be made this offseason. Most importantly, the team needs answers at shortstop, left field and the back of the bullpen.

Despite having a lackluster offensive season, Will Smith is signed as the team's catcher for several years. Freeman will be deployed as the first baseman and Max Muncy will return at the hot corner. However, the middle of the infield is in transition. Gavin Lux could continue as a second baseman, but he hasn't been convincing. Tommy Edman has extensive experience as a secondary and shortstop, although he also played a lot in center field after being traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Betts is an option in both middle infield spots, but appears to be more of a go-to outfielder for the future. The Dodgers could exercise a $5 million option on Miguel Rojas, but he is better suited as a reserve than as a shortstop.

The outfield is even less populated than the infield. Betts may be the right fielder, but there is no certainty at the other two spots. Hernández moves into free agency, leaving left field wide open. Edman and Andy Pages, who posted a .712 OPS, could share centerfield duties. Overall, the team needs to add at least one outfielder to the mix.

The Dodgers have plenty of rotation options, but most of them come with questions and injury concerns. Yamamoto and Glasnow should be the anchors, assuming they enjoy better health in 2025. Ohtani is expected to be back on the mound next year. After an injury-plagued season, Kershaw has announced that he intends to pitch in 2025. Miller is there, but his ERA more than doubled in 2024. Landon Knack could compete for a rotation spot after posting a 3.65 ERA in 69 innings in 2024. Stone is expected to miss all of 2025 while he recovers from shoulder surgery in October, and Buehler and Flaherty are both Free agents.

Most of the bullpen is expected to return in 2025, with the exception of key veterans Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson. Both were part of the troubled late-inning crew, and if they leave in free agency they will need to be replaced. The Dodgers' biggest bullpen dilemmas begin in the ninth inning. The team could continue to share that responsibility or rely on Michael Kopech, who thrived after arriving from the White Sox at the trade deadline. Alternatively, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and General Manager Brandon Gomes could provide stability by bringing in an experienced closer.

The Dodgers are incredibly good at developing new talent, as they are consistently one of the best teams in baseball and have one of the best farm systems. Somehow it seems that new prospects appear as quickly as prospects are wasted. And there are some good ones in the pipeline right now.

Dalton Rushing is the team's top young player and is knocking on the door to the majors. The 23-year-old began his minor league career as a catcher but has recently gained experience in left field thanks to Smith's presence in Los Angeles. Rushing gets on base often and has remarkable power skills.

Alex Freeland is a 2022 draft pick who reached Triple-A and was expected to play for the Dodgers next summer. As a shortstop, Freeland could fill one of the Dodgers' few positions of need. Despite being a career .253 hitter in the minors, he has found ways to maximize his top-end velocity through frequent walks.

After all, Justin Wrobleski can barely maintain his talent status after throwing 36 1/3 innings for the Dodgers this year. The left-hander posted solid minor league results in a 2024 season split between Double-A and Triple-A and profiles himself as a crafty pitcher who doesn't have a high ceiling but can help the Dodgers soon.

Like every last season, the 2025 version of the Dodgers will be among the World Series favorites. After defeating the AL's best team in the World Series, the mentality in the organization will once again be champion or bust.

The front office still has a lot of work to do this winter reshaping the lower lineup and bullpen, but the star power is already there for a team that has been incredibly dominant at the top of its division. It would be difficult for the Dodgers not to have more luck with injuries next year, and given the owners' continued financial commitment, there's little doubt that the team's wallet will be open this offseason.

As you would expect from a star-studded roster, the Dodgers will dominate the early rounds of fantasy drafts. Ohtani will be selected first overall in most leagues, Betts will come off the board a few picks later, and Freeman will be a coveted option in Round 2.

On the pitching side, Glasnow and Yamamoto are valued as boom-or-bust options in Round 5 due to their elite skills and recent injuries. Smith and Muncy will be selected in the middle round, as well as a closer if the team can agree on a man for the role by the end of spring training.

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