Dream Dodgers starting lineup for the 2024 season

Batting second, Freddie Freeman - 1B

Freddie Freeman got a bit of a raw deal in 2023. Most of the time over the last decade, putting up a .331/.410/.567 line with 29 homers, 23 steals (still not sure how that happened), and a league-leading doubles total would make a guy an MVP favorite. Acuña Jr. and Betts were just THAT good in 2023, but that doesn't take away from what Freddie accomplished, and the Dodgers certainly have to be feeling good for getting Freddie away from the Braves right now.

Freddie's left-handed bat was a staple in the #2 spot for LA all season long and, again, there is no reason to mess with what works here. Some consideration to alternating handedness in the lineup is going to be given for this list, but keeping Freeman where he excelled all season long works out great for that as well.

Batting third, Will Smith - C

Placing guys in ideal lineup spots gets harder from here on in, but Will Smith was really good in the No. 3 spot and gives the Dodgers a righty bat after Freeman. Weirdly enough, Smith's best career numbers on a rate basis came when he was batting sixth and especially eighth. However, those were pretty small samples, and he has been great as the three hole hitter overall.

It was nice to see Smith get some love and be named to his first All-Star Game in 2023. Overall, he slashed .261/.359/.438 with 19 homers and accumulated 4.1 rWAR this past season. In a vacuum, that is strong production. At catcher, it is almost a miracle to see that at the plate. Smith may not have the same upside as others in the lineup, but having him at No. 3 lengthens LA's lineup considerably while sacrificing little in the way of production.