5 former Dodgers that will have a shot at securing 2023 World Series ring

Max Scherzer

The lone, indisputable villain on this list is Max Scherzer, who spent the second half of 2021 with the Dodgers after coming over at the trade deadline. He was an unstoppable force for LA through the NLDS. Then, the NLCS arrived and he let everybody down.

His lackluster outing against the Braves certainly wasn't what the Dodgers paid a premium to acquire, and nor was his decision to sit out because of a dead arm. That wasn't an issue, though, until he decided to call out the Dodgers for how he was utilized following the season.

It became apparent Scherzer's actions were more of a ploy to preserve himself for free agency that year, considering he backtracked on his criticism of the Dodgers as a result of his "injury." He signed a record deal with the Mets, completely blew their postseason chances in 2022, got off to a terrible start in 2023, and was then sent to the Rangers at this year's deadline for Luisangel Acuña.

Scherzer missed the Wild Card Series and ALDS with a shoulder injury, but returned for Game 3 of the ALCS after five weeks on the shelf. He completely shifted the momentum when the Astros shelled him in that game, but he redeemed himself with a competent showing in Game 7 that was won by the offense (and Jordan Montgomery's gutsy relief appearance).

It's safe to say Dodgers fans wil not be rooting for Scherzer whenever he's on the mound this World Series.