Dodgers' 3 biggest remaining needs after signing J.D. Martinez

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been relatively quiet this offseason as other teams splurge in what has been a competitive arms race. With Trevor Bauer's contract and suspension appeal up in the air, the Dodgers have had to be cautious with what the team does so they can reset their payroll to avoid another luxury tax penalty.

Los Angeles has still brought in some new faces this offseason, though. The team took a smart flier on former ace Noah Syndergaard on a one-year deal. Another one-year deal was agreed to with J.D. Martinez, who is now reunited with Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc.

It's clear that the Dodgers have a different approach for the 2023 season as the team is going to give several young prospects a run on the big-league club. That being said, there are still some needs that the team should patch up before Spring Training gets underway.

Dodgers' 3 biggest remaining needs after signing J.D. Martinez

3. The Dodgers need a bench bat that hits left-handed pitching

While the Dodgers still have a good lineup without Trea Turner, the team's ability to hit left-handed pitching is absolutely worth questioning. The lineup isn't even that left-handed heavy, but the right-handed bats that the Dodgers have are almost all reverse-splits guys.

Mookie Betts, Will Smith, Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor all hit right-handed pitching better than left-handed pitching last season. That is what made the J.D. Martinez signing such a good one as he's still one of the best hitters in baseball against southpaws.

Having that left-handed specialist to bring off the bench has been a staple of Dodgers teams in the past. David Freese was that veteran option years ago, Enrique Hernandez was the utility version of that for years, and, even last year, Hanser Alberto was meant to be that guy.

The Dodgers can't go their third straight season without a threatening option in this department.