A year ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with a frustratingly familiar sour taste of an early postseason exit. A decade of consecutive trips to October had yielded only one championship, and being swept in the NLDS by the division rival Arizona Diamondbacks sparked a high-degree of urgency to make meaningful roster improvements. That manifested in one of the more impactful set of offseason moves we’ve ever seen: the titanic signings of Japanese mega-stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the acquisition and extension of ace right-hander Tyler Glasnow, and the January addition of outfielder Teoscar Hernández, all of whom would go on to contribute tremendously in 2024 as the Dodgers captured their eighth World Series title in franchise history.
The tone is certainly different as this hot stove season commences considering L.A.’s campaign ended on the ultimate high note, but that’s not to say the Dodgers won’t be busy. While the core of a no-doubt contender remains firmly in place, reinforcements will be required. And based on the way Mookie Betts was talking at the victory parade, there is still ample motivation within the organization to defend its crown and attempt to become the first team since the 2000 Yankees to win consecutive championships (that season capped a Yankee three-peat).
Here are the five biggest questions facing the Dodgers as they look to build a roster capable of repeating:
1. What are the potential ramifications of Mookie Betts moving back to the infield?
Betts was the everyday shortstop from Opening Day until he was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken hand in mid-June. He played almost exclusively right field upon his return from the injured list in August, including throughout October. General manager Brandon Gomes revealed at the GM Meetings earlier this month that the team plans to move Betts back to the infield in 2025, though whether that be at second base or shortstop is yet to be determined. That uncertainty leaves a lot of room to speculate.
Miguel Rojas, Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor and Tommy Edman remain on the roster as viable candidates to claim a middle infield spot opposite Betts. If we focus on this quartet of internal options, the most crucial unknown is which of them the Dodgers view as worthy of getting everyday at-bats — if any. The switch-hitting…