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3 Dodgers players who have no business being on the 2023 postseason roster
Yep, this one's easy.
Over the weekend the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their 10th NL West title over the last 11 years, further cementing their supremacy in the National League with a much less talented roster in 2023 compared to previous seasons.
How will they fare in the playoffs? That's a topic for a different article. In this one, we're just trying to make sure the Dodgers construct the best postseason roster possible by omitting a few guys that probably haven't earned the right to play when the stakes are elevated.
Like in years past, however, there aren't many options for the Dodgers to leave off the roster come October. They have an elite foundation, which has been a recurring trend dating back to 2017, but this time around they're simply left with fewer choices.
The pitching staff has been decimated by injuries and the Dodgers need to roll with what they have. Had health been in their favor, this discussion might've been a bit more captivating. Perhaps a deserving player might've been stuck watching from home.
Chances are, though, Dodgers fans probably know who won't be continuing on with the team in two weeks' time.
3 Dodgers players who have no business being on the 2023 postseason roster
Kolten Wong
Yes, believe it or not, Kolten Wong is eligible for the postseason roster as he was added to the 40-man roster right before Sept. 1. He was signed to a minor-league deal in mid-August after the Seattle Mariners cut him loose.
Wong has since played in 11 games for the Dodgers. He's clocked two homers, driven in seven runs, stolen two bases, and owns an .851 OPS. Pretty good for a guy who was putting forth the worst season of his career prior to arriving in LA.
But what gives him the edge over anybody else? Miguel Rojas, for as much of a black hole as his bat has been, is a tremendous and reliable defender the Dodgers can't afford to discard. Additionally, he's gotten a bit hot offensively as of late, so there's no reason to halt that progress.
Though Rojas has minimal playoff experience, Wong's track record is far more concerning. In 35 playoff games, he's hitting .188 with a .644 OPS and just six walks. The Dodgers have enough lefty bats and capable infielders to get buy. Wong's presence for September was helpful, but he won't be needed beyond that.
Alex Vesia
We know, we know. Alex Vesia has actually had a good second half (2.66 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 23.2 innings), but how can the Dodgers be so sure his horrific first half is undoubtedly in the rearview?
Vesia was largely crumbling in high-pressure situations from April-June. A couple of trips to the minor leagues obviously helped him settle down, but he hasn't exactly been used in similar situations during the second half. And when the postseason arrives, every moment is intense. There aren't cupcake innings to go around for confidence builders.
There's value in carrying Vesia because he's a left-hander, but his improved numbers don't tell the whole story. He's barely been deployed like he was last year, when he was the unquestioned bullpen bulldog brought in to neutralize the opponents' best left-handed hitters and inject the Dodgers with an energy unlike any other.
In the few games he was called upon to hold a lead in August and September, he was bailed out by an incredible defensive play by Mookie Betts vs the Red Sox after giving up a hit to lefty Alex Verdugo. He got crushed by the Braves in the team's extra innings loss on Sept. 2. In a game the Dodgers won on Aug. 8 against the D-backs, Vesia made it that much more difficult by surrendering two runs in the eighth inning as LA hung on by a score of 5-4.
Vesia's been better, but it's been in a much different context, and it won't translate to postseason success.
Gavin Stone
Stone may have rebounded with 3.1 scoreless innings against the Mariners on Sunday, but he'll need to be near-perfect the rest of the way in order to even make this a conversation.
The Dodgers called upon their top pitching prospect a number of times in 2023 and he's yet to deliver in the manner they had hoped. His outing against Seattle was a relief appearance to alleviate pressure on the bullpen. That's not how he's supposed to be utilized.
Stone is a top pitching prospect meant to start games and carve out a role for himself in the rotation, but he has a 13.50 ERA, 2.61 WHIP and just seven strikeouts in 15.1 innings as a starter. Even if the Dodgers preferred him as a reliever for the time being, he can't be trusted to handle the league's best offenses, as evidenced by his previous outings against the Phillies, Braves, Rays and Padres during which he was absolutely shelled. His relef appearances came against the Pirates, Red Sox and Mariners. He's done better in those, but it hasn't been convincing enough.
The right-hander's promotion to MLB was expedited due to injuries and a lack of depth. His first month back at Triple-A after his dominant 2022 before he was brought up in May featured a 4.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. He mostly labored through his outings, too, even the ones that were good.
Stone still needs time to develop and it's definitely a silver lining he got ample MLB exposure this season, but his playoff debut should wait because it'll only represent a greater challenge when he's yet to pass the less demanding tests so far in 2023.
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