Andrew Friedman’s offseason is shaping up to be a busy one, and the Dodgers’ front office appears to have a pretty clear idea of where the work needs to start.
The club’s biggest priorities this winter, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, center on two things: reinforcing the bullpen and getting younger throughout the roster. Bowden went through all 30 teams after speaking with front offices around the league, and his read on Los Angeles pointed straight to areas that could use a lift.
“I think they could improve at second base and left field and add a platoon right-handed bat for third base, as well,” Bowden wrote. “LA has some key relievers who are free agents: southpaw Alex Vesia and right-handers Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol. The Dodgers have always been elite at replacing relievers, and I’m sure this offseason will be no different.”
That bullpen group is a big part of why the Dodgers’ relief situation feels like a real offseason storyline. The names Bowden listed have been through a lot with this team, and the idea of refreshing that unit with younger, less worn-down arms makes sense on paper. It also opens the door to cheaper options, whether those come from outside the organization or from within.
Bowden pointed to Josue De Paula, Mike Sirota and Eduardo Quintero as prospects “getting closer to being major-league ready.” De Paula got a late-season look and did enough to earn a postseason roster spot. Sirota, at this point, appears to be the closest of that trio to making the jump in the near future, while Quintero is still a bit further behind.
He also floated the possibility that the Dodgers could chase some of the younger stars already established around the league, naming Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz and Washington Nationals infielder CJ Abrams as possible targets.
Whether Los Angeles goes big or works more quietly on the margins, the broad picture is clear: the Dodgers need help, especially on the mound, and Friedman has the flexibility to attack the roster in more than one way as he tries to get the club back to the World Series.
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