Dodgers predicted to land 2 more impact players via CBS Sports

When the Dodgers finally re-signed Teoscar Hernández, it felt like they had placed the last piece of the 2025 roster puzzle. They'd added Hye-seong Kim and said goodbye to Gavin Lux, which could re-open a door for Kiké Hernández, but everything after Hernández has felt a little bit like they're just doing extra credit.

If anything needs a little bit more bolstering just for some reassurance, it's the pitching staff. The Dodgers led baseball in time spent on the IL in 2024, the majority of which was served by pitchers. LA has seven starters lined up, which already feels a little like overkill, but they'd gladly make space on the roster and bump either Tony Gonsolin or Dustin May if they manage to get Roki Sasaki.

The bullpen could also use one more arm, given Joe Kelly's departure and the unlikelihood that he returns. Rumors have already connected LA to former Marlins closer/Padres reliever Tanner Scott, but there's been little movement in recent weeks and Scott has also received interest from the Mets.

However, CBS Sports predicted the Dodgers would get both. The Sasaki chase will be resolved within the next couple of weeks and should be intense right to the end, but the Dodgers may be in the best position possible to get him.

CBS Sports predicts Dodgers will land both Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott as offseason dominance continues

Both Sasaki and Scott are tricky, but for different reasons. Two-thirds of the league are in on Sasaki, and he could be tempted away by a team with more bonus pool money than the Dodgers (which is all of them, except for the Giants). Scott is searching for a four-year, $80 million deal that would make him the second highest-paid reliever in baseball. While money's not an issue for the Dodgers, they may decide that they don't need him with Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips already in the bullpen.

But again, the Dodgers are doing extra credit now. They definitely don't need another starter and the bullpen might end up overcrowded at some point during the season, when Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw return and at least one of May or Tony Gonsolin have to move to accommodate them.

Still, no one would complain if Sasaki and/or Scott ended up in LA. They'd just be cherry-flavored icing on top of what's already a pretty great cake.