Dodgers Becoming a Juggernaut

Like the imaginary creation of Marvel Studios, some believe the Dodgers are putting together a roster that would be considered unstoppable by most pundits and experts, in other words, a baseball juggernaut.

The Yankees teams that won four consecutive World Series from 36-39, and the Yankees team that won five straight from 49-53 were also considered unbeatable. LA is shooting for its third. Last accomplished by another tough Yankees team, 98-2000.

In this era though, winning three in a row is a lot harder considering the number of series needed for the feat to be accomplished. Let’s be serious for a moment. After cruising through the first three series last year, the Dodgers were severely tested against the Blue Jays, who were two outs away from winning the whole thing.

The Jays also had a couple of spectacular defensive plays keep them from walking the series off in back-to-back games. Rojas’s play at the plate, the DP pulled off at the end of game six by Kike and Rojas, and Pages great catch in game 7.

LA gets a game tying homer from the least expected player to do so, Rojas, and the game winner from Smith. Otherwise, we are talking about another post-season gut-wrenching loss. And don’t forget the marathon 18 inning win in game 3, putting LA up 2-1 before they would lose 2 straight at home and head to Toronto down 3-2.

So, what do they do? Well, they sure did not stand pat and rest on their laurels. They added one of the best closers in the game and then went out and signed the player considered the top offensive player available to close a huge hole in the offense. Just getting Diaz and Tucker improves the team dramatically and opens several options to how they will align the roster come March when the season opens.

Signing Tucker might be the death nell for a player like Ward to ever make the team. It also probably sends Siani to AAA. Unless they were to move Hernandez, now unlikely since it seems they would rather move him into left, where he played well in 2024. The outfield would be LF, Teo, CF, Pages, and Tucker in right. That makes Call the 4th outfielder.

With players like Edman and Kim who can also play the outfield, usually CF, the need for Ward or Siani is just not there. There has also been chatter that the Dodgers are ACTIVELY pursuing starter, Freddy Peralta of the Brewers. Adding Peralta to an already loaded starting pitcher group seems a bit like over kill.

But you’re starting five would be Yamamoto, Ohtani, Snell, Glasnow and Peralta. With talent like Sasaki, Sheehan, Ryan and Stone backing them up. That sort of leaves guys like Knack and Miller twisting in the wind, and Frasso and Nastrini destined for another year at AAA. There will be injuries and the possibility of that depth getting tested. But like they have the last several seasons, LA plans for the post season, and limits its pitchers as much as they can.

Peralta will not be without some cost, most certainly a young arm or two, and possible a major league ready position player. Just who that might be is anyone’s guess. We should know soon whether it will happen or not. The Tucker deal is not official yet and they need an open roster spot for that. If they do trade for Peralta, they will most likely include at least one player on the 40-man.

Are the Dodgers truly a juggernaut? By the literal definition of the word, I think not. If you listen to the fans of other teams, they are.