2 Dodgers players who could see a larger role in 2025, and 1 who should not

The 2024 regular season has not been an easy road for the Dodgers to navigate. At this point, it feels like the entire team has spent time on the injured list, or has struggled mightily. Every decision and transaction has led up to this point, a team sitting in first place in the NL West despite some hesitancy surrounding an upcoming postseason that features plenty of other teams stacked with healthy talent.

Some Dodgers have earned their keep and should remain a mainstay moving forward, while some others should probably not be relied upon as often. Let's take a look at two players that the Dodgers need to continue giving playing time to and one player who shouldn't see the diamond at all in 2025.

LA Dodgers should keep turning to Tommy Edman

Tommy Edman has seen a career resurgence in Hollywood. Through his first 26 games as a Dodger, he has an .809 OPS, which is his highest mark since 2019.

Edman is a versatile option who can truly do a little bit of everything. He's produced six multi-hit games in September, including smacking two home runs on back-to-back nights to really gain some trust amongst his team, the front office and the fans that he's back to his old self.

One major change is Edman can now hit the off-speed offerings. Last year, he clipped a .233 average on breaking balls, going deep four times across an entire season. In 2024, he's a .316 hitter off breaking balls, swatting two home runs in a fraction of the time. Edman has also stolen 30-plus bases in two seasons. He hasn't played enough this year to reach that familiar tally, but he is 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts so far in limited duty in 2024.

He's also split his time in the outfield and at shortstop, which can aid the Dodgers in figuring out where Mookie Betts will play. Edman has brought a new energy to the lineup, destroying left-handing pitching (1.304 OPS in 32 plate appearances).

LA Dodgers should keep trusting Michael Kopech

Honestly, everyone was a bit skeptical about Michael Kopech coming over to Los Angeles. He was in the midst of a shaky season with the White Sox, allowing 23 earned runs in 43 2/3 frames after walking the most batters in the American League in '23 (91).

Kopech welcomed the new scenery with open arms and he has done nothing but shove with the Dodgers. He hgas logged four saves and an 0.95 ERA in his first 19 appearances, adding four wins as well. His strikeout rate, whiff rate and expected batting average are all elite thanks to a revamped arsenal (thank you, Mark Prior).

He's enjoying his time on the Dodgers, succeeding at a much higher rate than in the past and completing his bullpen transition spectacularly. Los Angeles should keep it that way and use him in high-leverage innings as often as possible.

LA Dodgers need to accept James Outman is not an everyday option

The verdict no longer appears to be out on James Outman. The hyped up young outfielder was on track for a breakout campaign in 2023. He marched to 23 home runs and a .353 on-base percentage in first full season at the MLB level, but his final month of the 2023 season left everyone's thoughts on him rather murky. Outman batted .218 in September 2023 and carried his struggles into 2024.

Outman has registered 52 games with Los Angeles in 2024 with almost nothing to show for it. Now 27 years old, he registered a 52 wRC+, which is ninth-worst among outfielders this season with at least 100 plate appearances. To give an idea of how bad that is, Chris Taylor's wRC+ is somehow higher at 61.

Outman's defensive metrics are nothing special, either, which would at least buy him some playing time. His dWAR was an even 0.0 in his time at the big-league level. If the Dodgers want anything to do with Outman moving forward, then they should proceed with caution on how often he finds himself in the starting lineup. He was sent down for Jason Heyward earlier in the year, which doesn't provide much confidence in him moving forward.