To say that the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason was eventful would be a massive understatement.
All the team did was go out and sign Shohei Ohtani, a two-way superstar and the best baseball player on the planet, to a 10-year, $700-million contract. Just your typical, run-of-the-mill stuff.
When the Dodgers arrive at Camelback Ranch next month, all eyes will be on Ohtani, and for good reason. Even though he will not be able to pitch in 2024 due to a UCL injury, Ohtani still figures to be one of the team’s best hitters this season. But he will not be the only high-profile player putting on Dodger blue for the first time.
There’s also Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese phenom pitcher who will make his MLB debut this spring. After lighting up the mound in Japan over the past few years, Yamamoto became one of the most high-profile international free agents in history. In December, he signed a 12-year contract with the Dodgers worth $325 million.
Not to be forgotten either is Tyler Glasnow, whom the team acquired via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays in December as well. Glasnow has posted an ERA of 3.53 or lower in four of the past five seasons and has the potential to be a legitimate ace if he stays healthy.
But while the newcomers will receive the majority of the attention this spring, the Dodgers have plenty of returning star power as well. Obviously, that starts with the elite 1-2 punch of utility player Mookie Betts and first baseman Freddie Freeman, who in their careers have combined for two MVPs, five all-MLB first-team honors, and 14 All-Star selections. There will also be plenty of other familiar faces, including All-Star catcher Will Smith, All-MLB starting pitcher Walker Buehler, and veteran outfielder Chris Taylor.
Fair or unfair, the question surrounding Los Angeles throughout this season will be whether they can finally get it done in the playoffs. Despite having appeared in the postseason 11 consecutive years dating back to 2013, the Dodgers have won just one World Series during that stretch—during the shortened 2020 season, where the majority of the playoffs took place at a neutral site with a reduced-capacity crowd. Over the past two years the Dodgers have combined for 211 regular season wins and exactly one playoff win, getting eliminated in the NLDS both years.
But there will be plenty of time to worry about that right down the line. Right now, the focus is on spring training in Arizona and getting ready for the start of one of the most-anticipated seasons in franchise history.
Soon enough, it will be time for Dodger baseball once again. So grab a Michelada, sit back, relax and get ready for what should be an incredibly exciting year.
Welcome to the Sho.