The Los Angeles Dodgers face a critical offseason as they navigate an expiring collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and address key roster needs, particularly in their bullpen and pitching depth. With the current CBA set to expire on Dec. 1, the team must make strategic decisions regarding free agents and potential trades.
At the conclusion of the postseason, nine Dodgers players became free agents, though veteran infielder Miguel Rojas announced his intention to retire. The remaining eight include utility player Kiké Hernández and pitchers Tarik Skubal, Eric Lauer, Kris Bubic, Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, and Alex Vesia. Team leadership acknowledges the need for bullpen reinforcement and additional pitching options moving forward.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman emphasized that while the existing roster remains strong, the organization is committed to ongoing improvement. "If we started the season tomorrow, we feel really good about the roster and team that we have," Friedman said. "But that’s never our mindset to say, ‘OK, we’re good enough.’ We’re going to work hard to try to figure out where we can improve, and in different areas."
The team has identified offensive inconsistencies, particularly a noticeable drop-off after strong first halves of recent seasons, as an area requiring attention. According to Friedman, the Dodgers are conducting a thorough assessment to address offensive challenges that resurfaced in July, August, and throughout the postseason. This includes grappling with rule changes favoring run prevention and exploring methods to enhance their run creation.
Friedman also rejected the notion that age was solely to blame for the team’s struggles, cautioning against oversimplification. Should personnel adjustments be necessary, the Dodgers might pursue trades to rebalance their veteran position-player group. However, any potential moves involving team leaders would depend on both internal willingness and external interest, alongside financial considerations.
The organization remains optimistic thanks in part to their highly regarded farm system, ranked No. 1 by MLB Pipeline as of mid-August. Nevertheless, the influx of top position-player prospects, including three promising outfielders, faces obstacles due to the depth of veteran players currently on the roster. “Things work themselves out,” Friedman said, noting that roster composition can shift in response to various factors, including handedness and positional balance.
In terms of player health, the Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to resume two-way duties and be ready for spring training despite battling knee and biceps injuries during the past season, with surgery reportedly not planned. Backup catcher Dalton Rushing recently underwent elbow surgery and is anticipated to return to catching around late July. Right-handed reliever Will Klein also had a procedure to remove bone chips from his elbow and is expected to be ready by spring training.
Key offseason deadlines loom for the Dodgers, beginning with a "quiet period" lasting five days after the World Series, during which teams hold exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents. By the Monday deadline, clubs must also decide on one-year qualifying offers to eligible players and contract option exercises. General managers will convene from Nov. 10-12 in Las Vegas, marking the offseason’s primary opportunity for in-person discussions, as the anticipated cancellation of winter meetings in December limits such gatherings.
Players have until Nov. 17 to accept or decline qualifying offers, and Nov. 20 is the deadline for tendering contracts to 40-man roster players not yet signed for the upcoming season, with non-tendered players becoming free agents. These decisions will significantly shape the Dodgers’ roster as they prepare for the 2024 campaign amid the uncertain environment surrounding the expiring CBA.