Dodgers 25-Man Roster If the Season Started Today

Although the team can certainly change a great deal in the next month, let’s take a shot at predicting what a Dodgers 25-Man Roster might look like should no additional moves be made in advance of the 2018 MLB season.

The Dodgers have pretty much stayed the course throughout this winter of fan discontent. They have brought in some solid pieces via trade and free agency, but haven’t yet made that big splash like you would expect them to, especially with such wealthy owners.

If the Dodgers do go bravely into that good fight this year with the squad as it is right now, they would still put out a respectable unit. I used common sense combined with available information on injuries to compile this 25-Man Roster in advance of Spring Training. I actually had no trouble finding players suitable for every situational and positional need that Manager Dave Roberts might have.

Now back in Dodger Blue, Matt Kemp is close to a sure thing in left field. However, it might depend on how Dave Roberts wants to manage him. A veteran hitter who understands his role, Kemp could be manning a platoon this season. Kemp’s historical splits favor his bat against left-handed pitchers, so he could get a substantial number of days off when facing tough right-handed hurlers.

Yasiel Puig stands to be the only Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder that is guaranteed to start on Opening Day. Other than Puig in right, the other outfield positions may be open for competition. Joc Pederson is the incumbent and most likely to be starting in center. Because of his yearly struggles with consistency, though, Pederson will be on a short leash.

If Andrew Toles is healthy, he and Enrique Hernandez both have the skills and experience to play all three outfield positions. Should Toles still be recovering from last year’s right knee injury, Trayce Thompson is another outfielder who would likely be given a chance as fourth outfielder until Toles is ready to go.

Center field is an area where the Dodgers have room to improve, but probably only if the player coming in is a definite improvement over what they already have and is not costing the team a lot of money.

5 Outfielders:

Yasiel Puig, Right Field

Matt Kemp, Left Field

Joc Pederson, Center Field

Andrew Toles, Fourth Outfielder

Quique Hernandez, Outfield/Utility

The Dodgers pitching rotation is not that intimidating when you look at the names on paper. Other than Clayton Kershaw, there’s Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, Alex Wood, and, as of now, Hyun-Jin Ryu filling out the Dodgers starting five.

Granted they are quality arms, all of them, just not the level of a Yu Darvish in terms of star-quality. Hill is an ageless wonder who seems to keep getting better. Last year Maeda once again showed the consistency that got him noticed by international scouts two winters ago. Young left-hander Alex Wood, who especially had an excellent season, now aims to show the Dodgers continued improvement and, at a salary of around $6 to 7 million, what a bargain he is.

Hyun-Jin Ryu is the member of this group with the least expected of him. If he performs in line with his career ERA of 3.41 and 1.25 WHIP, and wins more games than he loses, the Dodgers will be extremely satisfied. If not, they will regret not bringing in a legitimate right-handed starter like Darvish.

5 Starting Pitchers:

Clayton Kershaw, Left-handed Starter

Rich Hill, Left-handed Starter

Kenta Maeda, Right-handed Starter

Alex Wood, Left-handed Starter

Hyun-Jin Ryu, Left-handed Starter

The Dodgers bullpen could get better by adding another pitcher. I would particularly like to see a powerful lefty to pair with Kenley Jansen at the end of ballgames. Someone who has experience slamming the door with a lead in the late innings would be ideal. For now the team can rely on right-hander Pedro Baez to provide a workman-like setup for Jansen in the eighth, albeit at a sloth’s pace.

Acquired in a mid-season trade last year, the Dodgers are hoping Tony Cingrani can develop into a late inning ace. There’s power in Cingrani’s left arm, but he still needs to hone in on the strike-zone more consistently to challenge hitters. Along with LA’s other non-waiver deadline trade to add lefty Tony Watson last summer, these deals reveal that the Dodgers bullpen, at least from the left hand side, is a work in progress.

As evidence, the Dodgers did some more tinkering with their bullpen composition already this offseason. Lefty middle-reliever Scott Alexander was acquired from Kansas City in the very same three-way deal that sent Luis Avilan from Los Angeles to the Chicago White Sox. Alexander will replacing Luis Avilan on the roster and in the bullpen.

Ross Stripling returns to provide long relief and the occasional spot start as he has done throughout his career. Josh Fields is expected to shut down opposing hitters in the seventh and could be a surprise breakout bullpen star. In addition, the Dodgers went out and signed Tom Koehler as their latest reliever reclamation project. I don’t know if he’ll find the success of Brandon Morrow or Joe Blanton, but this is certain, the man sings with lovely vibrato.

7 Relief Pitchers:

Ross Stripling, Right-handed Pitcher

Tom Koehler, Right-handed Pitcher

Scott Alexander, Left-handed Pitcher

Josh Fields, Right-handed Pitcher

Tony Cingrani, Left-handed Pitcher

Pedro Baez, Right-handed Pitcher

Kenley Jansen, Right-handed Closer

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal provides the Dodgers lineup with a homerun threat every time he comes to bat. His power numbers recently have been above league average. And he’s a pretty good defensive catcher, too. Grandal carries a reputation as one of the best in the game at pitch framing.

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After signing him to a one-year $7.9 million contract and thus  avoiding his last year of arbitration, the Dodgers will be relying on Grandal this year to be their primary catcher. If he needs a breather, never fear, backup Austin Barnes is there. The Dodgers expect Barnes to provide steady offense and help the team in any way. Known to sport an infielder’s glove when called upon, Barnes is also no slouch on defense. I suspect that Barnes will see his share of playing time increase this year. The Dodgers want to get a good look at what they have when Yasmani becomes a free agent at the end of the season and most likely leaves LA for another team.

2 Catchers:

Yasmani Grandal, Catcher

Austin Barnes, Catcher/Infielder

Catching duties are being handled by a solid group, as are infield responsibilities. The bullpen looks good, but could improve with the addition of a dominant setup pitcher, particularly a lefty. As far as the starting rotation, obviously, Yu Darvish would make a nice complement to what the Dodgers already have. An upgrade in center field is another area where the team may be looking at improvement, but probably only if the acquired player is a definite value and superior to in-house options.

Next: Font and Thompson Options

The Dodgers 25-Man roster looks to be OK barring further moves heading into this season. There’s always a desire to improve, though. I’d still like to see the Dodgers make a run at signing one or more of the top remaining free agents before Spring Training arrives.