2025 and Beyond – The Dodgers New 6-Man Rotation
The LA Dodgers will carry fourteen pitchers next year because they have the advantage of listing one as a position player. This will enable them to use the same number of bullpen pitchers as this season as Shohei Ohtani joins the Dodgers rotation. Clayton says he will be back…
The LA Dodgers will carry fourteen pitchers next year because they have the advantage of listing one as a position player. This will enable them to use the same number of bullpen pitchers as this season as Shohei Ohtani joins the Dodgers rotation. Clayton says he will be back, although I doubt that he will be ready to start the season after toe and knee surgery this offseason. Maybe the All-Star Break is a reasonable expectation.
As it stands right about now, the rotation looks like this:
- Tyler Glasnow (I know some think he will need Tommy John, but that would be really dumb of the Dodgers to put that off – If you think that, you are really dumb)
- Yoshi Yamamoto
- Shohei Ohtani
- Tony Gonsolin
- Walker Buehler (I think the Dodgers will give him the QO)
- Bobby Miller (way too early to write him off)
- Emmet Sheehan (Probably back around July)
- Clayton Kershaw (Sometime Mid-Season)
- Nick Frasso (He should be ready before the All-Star Break)
- Landon Knack (This guy is solid)
- Dustin May (I think they should convert him to a reliever)
Gavin Stone, River Ryan, and Kyle Hurt will likely miss the season. Jack Flaherty would be nice, but unless the Dodgers can steal him, they already have too many RHP. Kershaw is the only Lefty. I know fans will try to package Sheehan, Miller, Knack, Frasso, and Gonsolin (pick ’em) for Garrett Crochet, but I don’t see that happening. OTOH, the White Sox have lots of needs, and I think there is a decent chance Gavin Lux will get traded, especially after the Dodgers picked up Miggy Ro’s option. That gives the Dodgers a lot of options with Freeland, Kim (the free agent who wants to get away from the Clowns in SD), and maybe Adames. The thing is: they don’t have to do anything.
You can never have too much starting pitching, and I suppose that going to a six-man rotation will help reduce injuries. On a team that was devoid of starters last season, the Dodgers should have an abundance next year… especially if they go with a six-man rotation.
The Dodgers have already picked Austin Barnes 2025 Option, so it seems unlikely that Rushing is on the radar in 2025… unless there is an injury. I think it is very likely that the Dodgers reach a deal with Teoscar Hernandez and Walker Buehler, and I believe both will get the Qualifying offer. Then there is the Rule 5 Draft. The Dodgers have 10-12 players who are Rule 5 Eligible but I think the only players some team might consider taking are IF Austin Gauthier and LHP Jack Dreyer. Ben Harris, Damon Keith, and Ryan Sublette are also all good prospects but likely would not stick on an MLB Roster. If I had to guess, I would say that the Dodgers protect both Gauthier and Dreyer.
In the AFL, Zyhir Hope is sinking like a rock in the water. His OPS has dropped to .766, and he is hitting .233; Sean McLain continues to shine (.306 BA/.968OPS). Jake Gelof sits at .200. Eriq Swan has a 5.19 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP and has struck out 14 batters in 8.2 IP. Swan has a lot of potential in a back-of-the-bullpen role.
X-CITES
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (78)
Disagree, not disagreeable
A popular YouTuber has made this prediction:
The Dodgers offer Teo about $75m over 3 years, but he decides to take bigger money over 4-5 years from another team. (Seems reasonable to me.)
So the Dodgers pivot to Plan B: A trade for Luis Robert Jr.
Yes, Robert is injury prone and had a weak ’24. But at 27, he is five years younger than Teo–and he also plays a high quality CF. The White Sox would be dealing Robert’s team-friendly contract, which would increase the cost in terms of prospects.
Not likely, but plausible.
BREAKING NEWS
The Dodgers announced today that Shohei Ohtani underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder that resulted from a dislocation. The club added that the two-way star is expected to be ready for spring training.
You know, I kinda don’t think any of the free agents fit the Dodger mold , and or needs. Except for Striker and Teoscar. And maybe an early innings eater al a Paxton. I anticipate another Busch trade. And maybe another trade……hmmm . But other than that, let’s get younger!
Book em
tiant and tommy john get in
If you have a surgery named after you, definitely should be in HOF
Dick Allen, Ken Boyer, John Donaldson, Steve Garvey, Dave Parker, Vic Harris, Tommy John and Luis Tiant were revealed today by the Hall of Fame as this year’s candidates on the Era Committee ballot. Most commonly known as the “veterans committee,” a panel of 16 people (comprised of former players, executives, sportswriters, and historians) will meet during the Winter Meetings to vote on whether or not any of these eight candidates will be elected to Cooperstown. At least 12 of 16 votes are needed for induction, and the results of the balloting will be revealed on December 8.
Rumors flying that Sasaki will be posted.
Well I don’t know where I came up with that.I guess that must have been a dream. I don’t try to misprint anything on purpose. I am writing about Mr.Kastin .I apologize.
you’re probably right about anthony s. mark. Although 44 and 102 are pretty good numbers, that .244 average would scare off potential suitors. God knows the dodgers have enough .244 and below batters! (max) (taylor) ( lux) (barnes) etc. but if Teo signs elsewhere? …. With the stars they have, can’t afford to go cheap. freddie, mookie, teo, (assuming he resigns) aren’t getting younger. i don’t believe James Outman is the answer in center. i’m not 100% convinced Pages is the answer in right. Plus, as good a nlcs as max had, he was pathetic in the world series! would love to acquire mcmahon from the rox, but that won’t happen. don’t really want soto, but a couple of strong hitters would make 2025 even more exciting!
i would take a chance with Bieber. i would pass on Verlander! Fried? absolutely! Manaea? maybe. but fried (1). Snell(2). Bieber (3). ….. Freeland could possibly have a chance to impress in spring training? if LA signs both Teo and Anthony S. they can cover SS by committee.
Ha-Seong Kim may not be ready until mid-season due to shoulder surgery, but he might command a 1-year/$12 Million deal (that’s what MLBTR Predicts) which would not be bad. Rojas could hopefully hold down the spot early in the season (providing he also recovers).
Max Fried could be a target for the Dodgers as MLBTR predicts he will get 6 years/$156 Million. He’s not a fireballer, so one could expect he will not need TJ for a while, but he has had forearm strains the past tywo years, so that is worrysome.
MLBTR predicts 1-Year at $15 Million. I would have given him the QO.
Some also predict Michael Soroka will sign with the Dodgers on the cheap. He’s just 27 and is just the type of pitcher the Dodgers love to rehabilitate. MLBTR predicts him to get $14 Mil over 2 years.
MLBTR predicts Jack Flaherty will get 5 years/$115 Million, so that is also a possibility.
How about Sean Manaea who is predicted at 3 years/$60 Million. Teoscar is also predicted to get the same deal.
Some are predicting Shane Bieber or Justin Verlader to the Dodgers .
It’s also possible none of that happens!
i would love to have Adames. at ss. BUT, i don’t see AF giving him a 7 year contract as most projections i see. i could see 4 @ 30 per year,but that’s probably the limit for AF. i also don’t believe Rojas will hold u physically for an entire 162 game season. i like Edman in a starter/super utility role, bouncing around the entire field. so maybe an earlier poster has a valid point. a certain ex padre SS could be a very under the radar option for SS. then my earlier suggestion of resigning Teo for left, sign Anthony S. from Baltimore, Edman in center and Kike . dump taylor , and concentrate on the bullpen. with hudson retired, Trienan possibly leaving, Kelly gone, 2 pieces for the pen become a priority. Mark i saw you mention Snell. Could he actually end up in LA? intriguing! Walks too many, but intriguing! But you’re right, they do need a lefty in the rotation. i would do that rather than gut the minors. .. i think the yankees did all other teams who would have pursued Cole a big favor. he’s outstanding, but i don’t see him finishing 5 years. i think they should have let him walk and gone after Burnes. now will Baltimore pony up and pay him? i doubt it. probably ends up being a met. i could also see Alonzo moving from Queens to the Bronx!.. the fun continues!
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal links the Dodgers as likely contenders for Sasaki.
Sasaki, 23, made his professional debut in 2021 in the Nippon Professional Baseball. He has pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines for four seasons. Sasaki logged a 2.35 ERA with 129 strikeouts and 32 walks across 18 games this season. But, Sasaki reportedly declined an offer from his current team, suggesting a potential MLB career is in his future.
“The suspicion among many in the industry, almost everyone in the industry, that if this guy is posted, Roki Sasaki becomes available, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be heavy, heavy favorites to sign him,” Rosenthal said Monday on Foul Territory. “And can you imagine what that team would mean in Japan, then. It already has Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto to get Sasaki as well, well it would be even more so Japan’s team.”
The Dodgers have two spots available on the 40 man roster. Two pitchers currently on the 40 man that could be DFA are Logue and Brogdon. That would leave 4 spots for Rule 5 protection and free agent signings.
When Kershaw declined his player option it opened a spot on the 40 man. May have done it as a favor to the team.
Kershaw declines player option – presumably to give them time to negotiate a new deal.
At this stage… no one has any idea who will go where. I think the Dodgers will go 3 years/$70 Mill to Teoscar, but some team might give him a 4th year.
Teoscar Hernandez received a qualifying offer (no surprise). Buehler didn’t.
Here’s an idea for a LHP:
Robbie Ray opted out of his $25 million deal with the Giants. He had TJ in 2023. Give him a 3 yr/$60 Mil Deal!
I’m not sure, but I think I read that the Brewers released Devin Williams, the same one some wanted to trade for.
No, I just read the note and I was wrong, it is still under control until 2025
Some good background on how the Dodgers changed Banda’s slider and made him the success he was this year. Also, mentions how Lux during the season was well below average in driving in runs from 3rd with less than 2 outs.
Open on flip.ithttps://flip.it/O3b273Here’s a list of the Free Agents and The athletics Projections for them:
Open on www.nytimes.comhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5893223/2024/11/04/mlb-top-free-agents-juan-soto-contract/They predict Buehler will get 2 years/$32 Million and Teo will get 3 years/$69 Million.
Done deal!
Not thinking about ’25 for at least a few weeks.
Ill be at the ring Ceremony in March when we play the Tigers.
Gonna soak this in for a while fellas.
Enjoy it Dodger Talk Nation
Branch Rickey always said “Trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late”. For this very reason.
So many unknowns.
So – if Mookie returns to the infield that leaves only SS available to a middle infielder. Lux becomes superfluous. Maybe a trade candidate? He’s young and inexpensive, and the Dodgers are better with Mookie in RF.
Do they need 4 utility players? (Taylor, Edman, Rojas, Kike) If not, how do they re-sign Kike? Dump Taylor?
They have 3 holes in the OF. If Mookie plays RF, and Edman is the regular CF, then can they platoon Pages and Rushing or Outman? Does Edman play SS and they pray that Outman re-learns how to hit?
Teo is going to be expensive. He’s 32. The Dodgers are getting older. Mookie, Freddie, Ohtani, Barnes, Rojas, Muncy all on the wrong side of 30. They can’t keep going with the same guys – eventually they get old. That’s what happened to the Giants of 2010-12-14- they kept the gang together and mostly have been irrelevant since. They either need to make room for prospects and/or trade or sign players to get younger. (Adames is 29, Soto is 26. Most of the other top free agents are 30+)
6 man rotation next season – to start the year
Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani, Gonsolin, and then who? Is Kershaw back for the start of the season? Does Miller return to 2023 form? Are Wrobleski, Casperius starters? Can Knack pitch to good teams? (Against .500+ teams, he gave up 9 HR in 130 PA and OPS against was .853; against bad teams he gave up 5 HR in 156 PA and OPS against was .563)
Using my crystal ball, they sign another starter – the best are Burnes, Fried, Snell and Flaherty. Or they trade for one. Maybe take a flier on Shane Bieber coming off of Tommy John surgery? They probably need one more RH bat -either SS or OF, probably OF. Maybe resign Teoscar, Tyler O’Neil? Or make a run at Soto?