Dream Dodgers 2026 roster if Andrew Friedman goes ballistic at the Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings are taking place in Orlando this week and while this offseason's free agency class may lack the true generational superstar that was seen over the last two years with Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, there still is plenty of opportunity for Andrew Friedman to do what Andrew Friedman does best: go ballistic and dominate the offseason.

As the offseason's tentpole event gets underway, the Dodgers have yet to make any moves of substance. That should change as early as next week, with Los Angeles in search of bolstering their pitching staff and adding an outfielder to their starting lineup.

Dream Dodgers 2026 roster if Andrew Friedman goes ballistic at the Winter Meetings

The beautiful thing about dreaming when it comes to the Dodgers is that no matter how wild the vision might be, there is always a chance of it happening in real life.

Starting Rotation (5)

• Keeping: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki
• Adding: Tarik Skubal
• Cutting: Emmet Sheehan, Tyler Glasnow

The Dodgers can obviously start the regular season tomorrow and have a rotation where, on their best day, each pitcher could be viewed as top-of-the-rotation arm. Finding a taker for Tyler Glasnow's contract would be a dream scenario for Los Angeles, considering they money saved can be used elsewhere on their roster.

The dream addition to the Dodgers' rotation means a possible target at the Winter Meetings. The Detroit Tigers could still trade Tarik Skubal, and as long as that door remains open the dream is alive for Friedman and Co.

Bullpen (8)

• Keeping: Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, Will Klein
• Adding: Edwin Diaz, Robert Suarez, Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar
• Cutting: Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius

Above all else, the Dodgers' bullpen needs to be revamped this offseason. That seems to be an evergreen need for Los Angeles, but after missing out on Ryan Helsley and Devin Williams already this offseason, the Dodgers must not waste time at the Winter Meetings.

And, by not wasting time, we mean Los Angeles flaunting their financial muscle and taking multiple top relievers off the market. After Tanner Scott's struggles last year, Edwin Diaz is a clear answer at the back end of the bullpen, but adding Robert Suarez would be the chaos that lives rent-free in the heads of San Diego Padres fans.

Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar revived their careers with the Chicago Cubs last season, and while Thielbar gives Dave Roberts another left-handed option, Keller could be the ace of the unit, capable of pitching multiple innings.

Infield (5)

• Keeping: Will Smith (C), Freddie Freeman (1B), Max Muncy (3B), Mookie Betts (SS)
• Adding: Brendan Donovan (2B)
• Cutting: Hyeseong Kim (to bench or via trade)

Similar to their rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers don't have to address their infield during the Winter Meetings. They could roll out the starting infield they had at the end of last season, and would still be viewed as the powerhouse of the National League.

But, with the Toronto Blue Jays stepping up their efforts this offseason, if there is an opportunity for the Dodgers to upgrade their roster, regardless of the position, they must consider it. With the St. Louis Cardinals potentially open to trading Brendan Donovan this winter, the Dodgers should make the call.

Beyond Donovan being one of the best defensive second basemen in all of baseball, his contact-oriented approach would go perfectly with the rest of the thump the Dodgers have in their lineup. Nothing against Hyeseong Kim, who is a fan favorite, but Donovan is the type of addition that props up a dream. If the Dodgers' used Kim, we'd probably have a different opinion, but they opted against that his rookie season despite him showing flashes.

Outfield (3)

• Keeping: Andy Pages (LF), Teoscar Hernandez (RF)
• Adding: Byron Buxton (CF)
• Cutting: Tommy Edman

The early word is that the Dodgers could entertain an idea where they trade Teoscar Hernandez this offseason to open a spot for a reunion with Cody Bellinger. Bellinger has reinvented his swing since he was last with the Dodgers, but at this stage of his career it wouldn't quite be the dream scenario that Dodgers fans are hoping for.

Trading for Steven Kwan is a step closer to that idea for the Los Angeles faithful, but we're dreaming here. Aim higher. No, Kyle Tucker isn't the dream either. The dream is trading for Byron Buxton. After a refusal to be moved at the trade deadline last season, Buxton might finally be open to waiving his no-trade clause.

Like trading for Skubal, adding Buxton from the Twins would be the white whale for Andrew Friedman this offseason. Moving Edman, who still might have trade value, would free up some cash too.

Bench (5)

• Keeping: Dalton Rushing (C), Alex Freeland (IF), Hyeseong Kim (2B)
• Adding: Willi Castro (IF/OF), Ryan Mountcastle (1B)
• Cutting: Miguel Rojas, Alex Call

We might have had to cut Hyeseong Kim from the starting lineup, but like we said, we love him. Kim moves to the bench after Donovan's arrival, and this dream erases the fact that the Dodgers already brought back Miguel Rojas.

Willi Castro is Rojas' replacement, but an effort to bring in a bat in need of a change of scenery, the Dodgers take Ryan Mountcastle off the hands of the Baltimore Orioles. Castro's versatility would also make it easy to bid farewell to Alex Call.

Like we said, this is a dream. But we'll see what happens in the coming days.