Dodgers' 2026 X-factor would cure one of the biggest roster headaches from 2025

His value to the Dodgers comes in many ways.

Jordan Campbell

Feb 13, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz (3) talks to his catcher during spring training camp. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images / Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Even the most casual baseball fan wouldn't have a hard time picking an X-factor on the Dodgers' roster. It's one that has no shortage of superstars, and in the simplest sense, there are very few wrong answers.

Between Mookie Betts returning to form or Shohei Ohtani returning to the pitching mound for a full season (hopefully), there are some easy guesses. That being said, for the Dodgers, the X-factor could come down to the obvious offseason addition that was staring them in the face.

Yes, the Dodgers are entering the regular season as defending World Series champions for the second consecutive year, but it's not without dealing with bullpen headaches last year. Injuries decimated the initial plan for the bullpen, and it didn't exactly help that, even when healthy, Tanner Scott and Kirby left a lot to be desired.

It's why Edwin Díaz was the clear move that the Dodgers had to make this offseason. Even with the fit being natural, there was some surprise that Los Angeles actually was able to pull off the deal. Of course, it helped that the Mets may have been dragging their feet in negotiations.

Edwin Díaz is the Dodgers' X-Factor, and could erase the bullpen headaches fans had to live with last year.

That is why, on a roster that has Ohtani, Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Kyle Tucker, Díaz is the one who is the X-Factor. As Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller indicated, Díaz's arrival could address the one weakness that the Dodgers actually had ahead of Opening Day.

Not to mention, as Dave Roberts recently confirmed, it allows Roki Sasaki to continue his development as a starting pitcher after a stint in the bullpen last year.

The underlying reason why Díaz could be the X-factor of the 2026 is what it could unlock for the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Instead of needing to use their prospect capital to stabilize the bullpen, Los Angeles should have the freedom to explore a vast array of deals.

Whether that is the pipe-dream scenario where Tarik Skubal becomes available, or they need an offensive upgrade, the Dodgers won't have to earmark their prospect capital for bullpen help during the season, setting the stage for a far more active deadline than the one they had last summer.

Jordan Campbell

For nearly 16 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Dodgers, and Angels sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.