Dodgers: Ranking the Dodgers’ List of Off-Season Needs

1. Catcher
The Dodgers’ biggest off-season need on their checklist is catcher. While Austin Barnes could start for the Dodgers in 2019, they still need a backup catcher with proven big league experience. Keibert Ruiz is still a season away and Will Smith should begin the season in Triple-A as he struggled in the second half of last season. Should Austin Barnes struggle out of the gate, the Dodgers need that second option behind the plate.
There has been some speculation that Nick Hundley could be a backup option for the Dodgers, and the Dodgers have shown some interest in Martin Maldonado who at worst would provide some quality defense behind the plate and help control the opposing team’s run game. The free agent market is weak outside of Wilson Ramos and Yasmani Grandal so the Dodgers’ best option for a one year stopgap might be hoping Austin Barnes rebounds in 2019.