• Offseason - NEWS/RUMORS

I really believe that Feduccia is Barnes' eventual (next year) replacement. They're not going to let Rushing waste away in a backup role. That's why he played a lot of OF last year (and I guess now 1B, which doesn't make sense to me).

 

blake could close but i think he’s more valuable coming in whenever to face the heart of lineups
plus he’s shown he can go longer than 3 hitters
but i agree on yates
he and scott could be a dominating r/l option or combo to end games
i remember the 80’s reds were scary with dibble/charlton

 

Crazy when you think about it, that this roster boasts 8-10 (when healthy) starting pitchers, most of which could conceivably be the ace of some team's staff, and five relievers who have served as their team's closer before.

 

so if mookie truly doesn’t care, why tf are they forcing the issue?

• “[Moving to the infield] is definitely something different,” Betts said, via MLB.com’s Sonja Chen. “But I’m just doing what’s best for the team, what I feel like is best for the team. If it’s here, it’s here. If it’s right, center, doesn’t matter. I feel like I’m a baseball player, and as long as I put a glove on, I feel like I’m going to be pretty good at it.”

 

agreed
plus you’ve got kim who’s played all over the infield

 

Dodgers Nation@DodgersNation
Bob Geren said the hitters called Dustin May “nasty” after his first live bp session.
10:16 AM · Feb 17, 2025 · 40.4K Views
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Andrew Friedman reveals what propelled Dodgers Blockbuster Offseason
by Valentina Martinez | DodgersNation — 5 hours ago

The Los Angels Dodgers pitching staff experienced one of the most injury-filled seasons in the modern-era of baseball last year. A total of 12 Dodgers pitchers landed on the injured list in 2024, and the myriad injuries left L.A. with only three starting pitchers and an overworked bullpen come October.

The frightening number of injuries actually propelled the Dodgers front office to sign an abundance of pitching talent this winter. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman explained why the Dodgers acted with a sense of urgency throughout the offseason.

“I’m sure some of [our past injury problems] created some of the mindset this offseason,” Friedman said, via Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. “Just to be as prepared as we possibly could be.”

The Dodgers signed two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, international phenom Roki Sasaki, relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, and re-signed veteran southpaw Clayton Kershaw and reliever Blake Treinen in a matter of three months.

The result of the Dodgers’ historic offseason left baseball fans groaning and grumbling, but the defending champions were not trying to taunt other teams. The Dodgers aggressive pursuits of pitching talent this winter was out of necessity, not mockery.

Although the Dodgers managed to win the World Series with three starters and an overtaxed bullpen, it was not a situation the team hopes to find itself in again come October. Therefore, the defending champions made sure to bring in enough reinforcements.

“We sat here in spring training last year and said, ‘Oh we’ve got so much pitching depth, we’re definitely not going to go to market in July for pitching,’” Friedman said. “Fast forward to July and we’re in the market for pitching.”

Aside from signing talent throughout the offseason, the Dodgers also conducted a deep dive study attempting to find answers to the injury history with L.A. pitchers. There was never a light bulb moment that came from the front office’s research, but the Dodgers do have a long-term plan in place with the hope that the pitching staff can stay healthy.

One thing is for certain, though: The Dodgers signed multiple stars this winter not because the franchise wanted to gloat, but rather, to prepare for the unknown in 2025.

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I fully expect they'll need every one of these guys. You can never have too much pitching, and for whatever reason Dodgers arms seem to get hurt more often. The team used 40 different pitchers last year ffs.

If it happens that this year bucks the trend and the staff stays relatively healthy, they may have too many pitchers. But that's a good problem and beats the alternative.

 

https://youtube.com/kirby-yates

 

https://youtube.com/tanner-scott

 

Manny Machado looking forward to taking down Dodgers in 2025
by Gabe Smallson | SI — Feb 18, 2025

Some things never change.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are part of an exciting rivalry with the San Diego Padres that has gained significant momentum in recent years.

The Dodgers have completely revamped their championship-tested team this offseason while the Padres took a bit of a different approach. L.A. dominated the market and loudly went after top talent while San Diego seemed to quietly wait in the shadows until February.

With minimal major league acquisitions up until Feb. 1, the Friars have finally signed their share of veterans to the squad.

The Dodgers are fully focused on a ninth World Series ring while San Diego looks dead set on taking down Los Angeles. This is normal behavior for a divisional rival, but the competitive flame has burned brighter in recent NLDS matchups.

In 2020, the Dodgers swept the Padres on their way to a World Series championship. In 2022, the Padres were the ones with the last laugh knocking out the Dodgers, 3-1.

The 2024 season, however, brought more drama than ever before.

There was back and forth between former Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar and fans at Dodger Stadium during a home run-robbing catch. There were also similar interactions from fans with Padres slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. late in the game. And finally, former Dodgers infielder Manny Machado was seen throwing baseballs into the direction of the Dodgers dugout on the way to the Friars' 10-2 victory.

Manager Dave Roberts would later use this as a motivating factor for his ball club as the Dodgers won that series and eventually the championship. Machado seems to have gotten over his stunt at Dodger Stadium but is still focused on trying to take down L.A. in 2025.

"The past is the past," Machado said to reporters when asked about the incident. "I'm looking forward to going out there and competing again this year and trying to take them down. We’re ready.”

Machado played under Roberts during his short tenure in L.A. which resulted in a World Series berth in 2018. He then joined the Padres on a 10-year, $300 million contract, signing an extension in 2023 for 11 years and $350 million.

For more Dodgers news, head over to Dodgers on SI.

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