5 Dodgers whose futures depend on promising postseason performances

As the Los Angeles Dodgers await the winner of the Milwaukee Brewers-Arizona Diamondbacks Wild Card Series, a number of futures hang in the balance on this roster. We probably have a good idea of who will be gone come 2024, but as we know, postseason performance can always shift the conversation.

It's clear Andrew Friedman and the front office created enough financial flexibility to endure another blockbuster free agent signing, but that's far from a guarantee, meaning the Dodgers might have excess funds to spend when the offseason arrives.

The 2023 squad has been an admirable one. They notched 100 wins for the fourth straight full MLB season (obviously skipping 2020), which made history. They managed to pull it off despite having the second-worst bullpen in the league during the first half of action. They managed to pull it off despite losing Gavin Lux, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen and others to season-ending injuries.

A number of players have filled in to varying degrees of success, but some still have plenty to prove in October if they want a future in LA (or hope to up their value in free agency when the time comes). Who might that be?

5 Dodgers whose futures depend on promising postseason performance

Joe Kelly

Kelly is a beloved Dodger and, despite only pitching in 11 games with the team since the trade deadline due to a forearm/elbow issue, he still remains an important piece in the bullpen. That remains true for 2023 and could very well be the case for 2024.

His contract calls for a $9.5 million team option, but it's unclear where LA stands on that. It's pricey, but the Dodgers also need arms for 2024. If Kelly can further prove his arm issues are in the rearview with a lengthy run of form in the postseason, the Dodgers might not even think twice about extending his stay in southern California. Plain and simple.