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Dodgers offseason review chat
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Mark P
12:45
Hello everyone!  Submit your Dodgers questions here, and we'll get started at 1:45pm CT.
2:47
Hey there gang, let's get into the questions!
Skipp
2:48
The Dodgers have historically been one of the best draft and develop teams in baseball. Why is everyone so concerned about them turning to a new young core? Is is nitpicking?
Mark P
2:50
Naturally I get why fans would be wary of seeing Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Tyler Anderson, etc. all head out the door, and the Dodgers turning to a lot of unproven youngsters in their stead.  Going by LA's development track record, it feels like at least one or two of the kids are going to be good right away, but if there are any growing pains for (in particular) Vargas or Pepiot, it will be a setback for the team as a whole
Guest
2:50
Will the Dodgers pursue a veteran shortstop
Mark P
2:51
They already did with Rojas, except unfortunately they had to call on him for a much bigger role very early.

It's certainly possible this could be a target area come the trade deadline, if the Rojas/Taylor/Hernandez mix isn't working
AJ
2:52
What’s the overall plan for JD Martinez this season in terms of usage? Maybe 90% DH and 10% Outfield?
Mark P
2:52
That sounds about right.
Graham Hancock
2:53
The most frustrating part of being a dodgers fan is the slow pace they promote prospects. Most other teams would be starting Busch, Outman, Vargas, and Pepiot. Instead the Dodgers sign Peralta, Thor, Heyward, and will probably play Chris Taylor. If James Outman gets called the best defensive outfielder I. The organization and he continues to rake, why not start him on the major league team?
Mark P
2:55
As noted earlier, the Dodgers do a good enough job of prospect development that their judgement is pretty sound on how quickly or how slowly to bring along particular players.  Keep in mind, this is a team that's trying to win the World Series every year --- they only have so much rope to give to a rookie figuring things out at the MLB level.

Also, signing random veterans can pay off if it's Muncy, Thompson, and Chris Taylor himself
Blue in Philly
2:55
Is extending/signing Urias truly the #1 free agent priority for Dodgers?
Mark P
2:57
If I had to guess, i'm leaning toward Urias leaving in free agency.  The Dodgers have been very proactive about extending players or even re-signing them once they reach the open market, but the team might be preparing to let Urias leave and then reload the rotation with the younger guys, May, Buehler, Kershaw if he returns again, and maybe....Ohtani?
1/3rd sized Commissioner's Trophy
2:58
dodgers haven't extended a home-grown pitcher in a while. what do you think their appetite is when it comes to urias and walker b?
Mark P
2:58
If Buehler hadn't gotten hurt, it's possible LA might've made a push to extend himself already, but now naturally the club is in wait-and-see mode
jeff
2:59
If JDM slumps, LAD should platoon DH ABs or bring up hot OKC bats -- shouldn't DH ABs be earned?
Mark P
3:00
In the event of an extended slump, sure, the Dodgers will surely start cutting back on Martinez's at-bats.
Guest
3:00
Do you think the dodgers will see a Tim Anderson trade?
Mark P
3:01
If the White Sox fall out of the race, Anderson stands out as an interesting trade chip, since 2023 is the last guaranteed year of his contract.
3:02
2024 is under a club option, so Anderson wouldn't be a rental player, and for that same reason the ChiSox might not want to deal him unless they totally crater and turn towards a rebuild mindset.
Daniel
3:03
Do you believe the front office was planning for a CBT (luxury tax) reset this offseason, and that the Bauer appeal decision took them by surprise? If so, could that impact the Dodgers appetite for pursuing Ohtani next offseason?
Mark P
3:04
I don't think it was a surprise, as the Dodgers were pretty cautious with their moves even prior to the announcement about Bauer's appeal.  Clearly the team wanted to be prepared either way.
Daniel
3:04
The Dodgers have enviable depth at the catcher position, with Will Smith being one of the most valuable catchers in the game the last two seasons, Austin Barnes a reliable backup, Diego Cartaya one of the top prospects in baseball, and several other exciting prospects at the position behind him. What is the future here with Will Smith firmly established as a regular starting catcher remaining under team control for several more seasons? Is there any chance the Dodgers trade Smith and once they view Cartaya as MLB-ready (which must be fairly soon)?
Mark P
3:07
Smith is still controlled through 2025 and Cartaya has yet to reach Double-A, so the Dodgers don't really have to make a decision about this for a couple of years yet.  It does create a nice "problem" for the team to have this much depth, plus there are a few other catchers in the LA top 30 on Pipeline (most prominently Dalton Rushing)
3:08
As noted earlier, the Dodgers are proactive about keeping the players they want to keep, so a Smith extension is a distinct possibility if they see him as their longtime pick.  The other option is that both Cartaya *and* Smith stay, platooning at catcher and using Smith in a DH role.
Scuffy McGee
3:08
Is James Outman going to be on the opening day roster or they going with the retreads
Mark P
3:08
Even if Outman isn't there on Opening Day, he'll surely get a good chunk of playing time this season.  Injuries and under-performance will create some openings sooner or later.
Jacob N
3:09
With the seeming logjam of young pitchers and position players, do you think the Dodgers try to trade them or even Gonsolin? Or do they let them develop more and have them ready later?
Mark P
3:10
The rotation doesn't seem like a logjam at all, with Kershaw year-to-year, and Urias/Thor both free agents next winter.
Same around the diamond, since Muncy, Rojas, JDM aren't under long-term control
ProfessorM
3:10
Friedman has given out 3 contracts (free agent or extension) of more than $100 million in his entire tenure. Why does the media continue to link the team to big free agents? We should not be surprised at all at this off-season, right?
Mark P
3:12
The Dodgers routinely top the luxury tax threshold, and "only" three $100MM contracts is still a lot more than most teams.

While Friedman's penchant for making free agent splurges is a little overstated, he's made enough of them to make LA a player for any player on the open market
The Guy Next Door
3:13
Padres finally win the division this year, no?
Mark P
3:13
Who wins the NL West?
Dodgers (45.9% | 39 votes)
 
Padres (51.8% | 44 votes)
 
Giants, D'Backs, Rockies (2.4% | 2 votes)
 
Total Votes: 85
Sam
3:14
also, I understand that the Dodgers are starting the years with a closer committee - can you see them eventually relying one guy as the closer and, if so, who do you think gets the job?
Mark P
3:15
If I had to guess, Graterol becomes the "closer" in the sense that he might end up with the most saves, but Phillips will get the most use in high-leverage situations.
Dodgers? Really?
3:16
I keep hearing everyone talk about the Dodgers as a playoff team, but I just don't see it. I feel like these so-called experts are simply allowing the team to live off of their previous success over recent years. We cannot be considered a playoff team with a couple superstar players who are flanked by the likes of Trayce Thompson, Miguel Rojas, and Jason Heyward. As long as guys like that are being considered for starting roles, this team is in serious trouble. The way I see it, we're in for a mid-division finish at best. Tell me I'm wrong?
Mark P
3:17
Maybe it's just me as an outside observer, but it suddenly feels like a lot of fans are drastically underrating the Dodgers.  I'd be shocked if they missed the playoffs, or were anything less than a 90-win team.
Obviously they lost some very good player this winter, but between the additions they made, the help from the farm system, and the many proven stars still on the roster, I have plenty of confidence LA will again be a top team
LOVE MLBTR
3:18
Some people in the media (Colin Cowherd for one) feel it's a forgone conclusion that Otani is destined to be a Dodger. If the Angels fall out of playoff contention, does it not make sense for the Angels to trade Ohtani and get some value in return? Do you think they would trade him to the Dodgers, and if so, what might that package look like?
Tim
3:18
If the angels aren’t in playoff contention by the trade deadline and Ohtani is available, do you think the Dodgers will will trade for him or wait until he’s a free agent to try and sign him?
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