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4 bold predictions for the Dodgers heading into 2023
With the 2023 MLB season starting Thursday, Los Angeles Dodgers fans can toss aside all the "projections" and "on paper" discussions as the action begins. There's no turning back now, and the analysts can't save the San Diego Padres anymore!
The Dodgers' Opening Day roster is very different from the 2022 version, which has tipped the scales in San Diego's favor, with many not very bullish on LA's chances given the losses of stars like Trea Turner and Tyler Anderson as well as key figureheads like Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger.
But this team still has Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman leading the way. Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías are two of the best pitchers in the game. The ascension of Miguel Vargas and James Outman could easily out-perform the offensive games of JT and Belli. Resurgent campaigns from Max Muncy and Chris Taylor could really blow the lid off, too.
And hey, if all of it comes together, then we could be calling these bold predictions absolute realities once October arrives. What do you say?
4 bold predictions for the Dodgers heading into the 2023 season
James Outman hits 20 home runs
This prediction might sound unlikely because of the presumed lack of at-bats in store for Outman this season, as well as the fact he's a rookie and still probably needs time to adjust to MLB pitching.
However, Outman had a great Spring Training to earn an Opening Day roster spot. He will most likely start the season in a platoon role where he plays only against right-handed starters, but if Outman parlays his Spring Training performance into a hot start in the regular season, he'll more than likely gain more playing time as the season progresses. There's room in the Dodgers lineup behind the top five hitters (Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, J.D. Martinez and Max Muncy), and it wouldn't be outrageous if the slugger was batting sixth come the middle of the summer.
If that's the case, he could match the type of season Braves rookie Michael Harris II (who hit 19 HR in 114 games) had in 2022, with respect to power numbers.
Dodgers win big at the trade deadline
Whether it is Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames, or even Brewers ace Corbin Burnes, there are many big names who could be dealt at the trade deadline this season. Despite the Dodgers pulling off blockbuster trades in the past, like the Trea Turner and Max Scherzer deal in 2021, the move for Mookie Betts in 2020, or the Manny Machado swap in 2018, the Dodgers were quieter with their moves at the 2022 trade deadline.
This year, a much closer divisional race in the NL West will force the Dodgers' hand, and no matter who the player is, the Dodgers will find a way to make yet another monumental move near before the deadline. The Dodgers' approach in this endeavor will be defined mostly by positions of need, but anticipate a huge splash nonetheless.
Dave Roberts wins 2023 NL Manager of the Year
Dave Roberts has finished top six in NL Manager of the Year voting every year since 2016, but hasn't won the award since 2016 (his first season as manager of the Dodgers). After winning 111 games last year, Roberts finished second in the NL Manager of the Year voting, which was his best finish since 2017 (when he also finished second). Roberts might have won the award if it were not for the amount of talent on last year's roster.
Many of his finishes in Manager of the Year voting are adversely affected as a result of the Dodgers already being one of the best teams in MLB. However, this season, the Dodgers are being viewed as a significantly weakened version than previous years. As a result, guiding this iteration of the Dodgers to unexpected success will be viewed as Roberts' best managerial achievement outside of the 2020 World Series title.
Dodgers win the NL West
After losing key contributors such as Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and Trea Turner, the Dodgers had to retool parts of their roster to compete for a World Series again in 2023. Even more retooling is necessary with Gavin Lux sidelined for the 2023 season after he suffered a torn ACL.
The Padres are returning the most important players on their roster, as well as getting Fernando Tatis Jr. back from suspension. They also had many notable additions in the offseason, including Xander Bogaerts, Matt Carpenter, Nelson Cruz and Adam Engel in free agency. With those, the Padres are viewed by many as the favorite to win the NL West, despite the 22-game gap between the two teams in last year's standings.
All that being said, the Dodgers' dominance of the NL West will continue. While another 111-win season is probably not on the table, the Dodgers have registered 106 wins or more in each of the last three full seasons. The Dodgers will reach 100 wins once again, and that total will be enough to keep the division running through LA.
The Dodgers took some of the pressure off and it's now all resting on the Pads, and we know how they collapse (for the most part) when they're the center of attention. LA could stand to benefit from not being crowned the champs in the offseason, and we will see them take advantage of a dimmer spotlight in 2023.