The Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites to win the 2021 World Series. The Dodgers aren’t satisfied with winning the 2020 World Series, as they want to win another title during a full 162 or 154-game season. The team was active during the MLB free agency period in bringing in some new faces.
The Dodgers brought in one of the game’s best pitchers on the free agent market to help them compete in 2021. But they also lost a few prominent players on the MLB free agency market, including one that has not signed with any new teams as of the start of February 2021.
Here’s a look at some of the things that happened with the Dodgers this offseason.
Roses are red
Dodgers are blue
One trophy is nice
But we’re ready for two #ValentinesDay pic.twitter.com/pJx2vJP8OX— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 14, 2021
A Major Catch
The Dodgers pulled off one of the greatest splashes of the MLB free agency period when they acquired starting pitcher Trevor Bauer through a three-year contract.
Bauer had a hundred strikeouts at a 1.73 ERA last season with the Cincinnati Reds and won the NL Cy Young Award. The Dodgers won a bidding war with the New York Mets for Bauer’s services.
Bauer joins a top-rate rotation that features Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias. The Dodgers will need that firepower to compete with the San Diego Padres’ refurbished rotation with Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove leading the way. The Dodgers are still the favorites to win the AL West, but the Padres are making a major push for the top spot.
Other Acquisitions
The Dodgers also acquired Tommy Kahnle from the New York Yankees, but the reliever might not see much action. Kahnle underwent Tommy John surgery this past August. The Dodgers are still confident enough in Kahnle’s skills to sign him to a two-year deal.
The team also brought back a few players on the free agent market. The Dodgers resigned relievers Blake Treinen and Jimmy Nelson. They also signed deals with relievers Dylan Floro and Corey Knebel to avoid arbitration.
Offensive Changes
The Dodgers have one of the league’s best offenses, with Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger leading the race for the NL MVP title this upcoming season.
But a few players on offense left the team, as second baseman Enrique Hernandez left for the Boston Red Sox and outfielder Joc Pederson moved on to the Chicago Cubs. Chris Taylor is expected to be the team’s main second baseman this season, while A.J. Pollock will see more time in the outfield.
Third baseman Justin Turner has not been resigned for the coming season, and there is doubt he will return. Turner had a .307 average last year. Edwin Rios would be the most likely starter to fill in if Turner does not come back.
The team has multiple young players who will be ready to fill in the rest of the offense. Infielder Gavin Lux aims to improve from last season, while outfielder D.J. Peters could become a surprise. Second baseman Omar Esteves may also potentially reach the big show this season, about five years after he was acquired on the amateur free agent market from Cuba.
The Overall Verdict
The Los Angeles Dodgers have everything they need to compete for their second consecutive World Series title. More importantly, they are stocked enough to contend with a San Diego Padres team that is dead serious about going after the World Series this year.
This year’s MLB free agency period proves that the Dodgers are all in for this year’s World Series. But the team still has plenty of talent down the road that will help them remain competitive for years to come.
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