The 2024 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers made moves during the offseason to improve their already star-studded roster and should make another deep run into the playoffs in 2025. To make things even better for the Dodgers, few stars departed during the offseason. The biggest name who departed was a favorite in Walker Buehler, but he was replaced with two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. The Dodgers also brought back Teoscar Hernandez, who was better than advertised in 2024, providing the second-best season of his career for the Dodgers. His new contract: three years, $66 million. The Dodgers also have an incredible core of returning superstars like Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto locked up in long-term contracts, and they figure to be mainstays in Tinseltown for about the next decade or so.
Amazing Starting Rotation
With a rotation led by a healthy Tyler Glasnow and Yamamoto, not only did the Dodgers add two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, but the reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani is working on returning to the mound in 2025. Snell won the Cy Young Award once in each league and holds the current major league career record for strikeouts per nine innings, so he brings an unmatched resume with him. Dustin May is healthy again and yearns for that breakout season for the Dodgers. Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw returns in 2025, though he is recovering from an offseason toe surgery and will begin the season on the 60-day Injured List.
Waiting in the wings is Bobby Miller, who took a big step back in 2024 with control issues and is now in the minors but has the pedigree to rebound and return to the big leagues in the near future. With a rotation like the Dodgers have, however, it would not be surprising for them to make a midseason move to get a return haul for Miller, especially if he responds well to his time in the minors. Tony Gonsolin is yet another option the Dodgers have as a starter. Gonsolin is currently on the 15-day IL with back tightness.
Injured Dodgers starters who will likely miss the entirety of the 2025 season are Emmet Sheehan (Tommy John surgery 5/2024), Gavin Stone (shoulder surgery 10/2024), and River Ryan (Tommy John surgery 8/2024). One or more of these players may progress through rehabilitation fast enough to return in 2025, but it’s unlikely and it’s generally not a good idea to rush these things.
Departing the Rotation
Fan favorite Walker Buehler and midseason acquisition Jack Flaherty depart the Dodgers rotation in 2025. Buehler had his second Tommy John surgery in 2022 after 12 starts and returned to the team in 2024, having missed all of the 2023 season. Upon his return, he was not the same pitcher. His fastball lost steam after the shortened 2020 season, and his 16 starts in 2025 amounted to his worst full season in the majors with an ERA of 5.38 (72 ERA+), 1.553 WHIP, a career low 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings, and 10.6 hits per nine innings, which ties his career low from his first cup of coffee in the majors in 2017 when he appeared in eight games but started none. Additionally, Buehler’s WAR in 2024 was the worst of his career by far at -1.2 (career 12.2 WAR).
In 2020, Buehler’s average four-seam velocity was 96.8 mph, but that lowered to 95.3 mph in 2022 before the surgery and to 95.0 mph after returning from the surgery in 2024. 1.8 mph is a lot of velocity to lose, especially from someone who broke into the league averaging 98.3 mph, though his best years saw that velocity averaging between 96.2-96.8 mph. One thing worth mentioning is that Buehler’s fastball looked great in the playoffs and he was a major contributor toward earning his second World Series ring with the Dodgers in the past five years and in his past four active seasons. He pitched the final half inning in the majors in 2024, making his first postseason relief appearance and closing out Game Five of the World Series to earn the save by striking out two New York Yankees while not allowing a baserunner.
Buehler Finds a New Home with Boston
Beuhler turned his postseason success into a one-year, $15 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. The contract comes with a $3.05 million signing bonus and a $25 million mutual option for 2026 with a $3 million buyout. Dodger fans wish Walker Buehler a fond farewell with plenty of good luck and hope for future success for the 30-year-old starter.
What About Jack Flaherty?
The Dodgers acquired Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers for two minor leaguers midseason in 2024. Prior to the trade, Flaherty sported a 2.95 ERA (138 ERA+), 0.956 WHIP, and 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings. After the trade, Flaherty pitched to a 3.58 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.283 WHIP, and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Flaherty did not post good numbers in the Dodgers’ world title run either, so they let him walk at the end of the season. Flaherty returns to the Tigers in 2025 on a two-year contract for $35 million. It’s no surprise as he was having the second-best season of his career with Detroit prior to being dealt to LA in 2024.
Increased Bullpen Strength
Kirby Yates was one of the best bullpen options available in the offseason, pitching to an ERA of 1.17 (340 ERA+) and 0.827 WHIP with 85 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings (12.4 K/9) in 2024. Yates earned 33 saves while only blowing one for the Texas Rangers in 2024. The Dodgers signed Yates to a one-year $13 million deal, which is a nice pay raise from 2024 when he earned $4.5 million. He can also earn an additional $1 million in incentives: $500,000 for appearing in 50 games, then another $500,000 for appearing in 55 games.
If you’re wondering, Yates appeared in 61 games apiece in 2023 and 2024 but has had injuries in the past. From 2020-2022, Yates appeared in only 15 games combined. But he’s fresh off back-to-back healthy seasons, and the Dodgers hope he’ll make it a third straight. A two-time All-Star, Yates will likely earn far fewer save opportunities this season in a jam-packed Dodgers bullpen but brings a ton of value nonetheless.
Treinen Returns
Blake Treinen elected free agency after earning $8 million in 2024 with the Dodgers. But the Dodgers re-signed the stud 36-year-old hurler to a two-year $22 million deal in the offseason. The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus. He earns a base salary of $8.5 million in 2025 and $13.5 million in 2026. Trienen joined the Dodgers in 2020 and pitched to a combined 2.29 ERA and 0.989 WHIP in 154 appearances since then, with 169 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings (10.2 K/9), 58 holds, nine saves, and a WAR of 3.9.
Along with Treinen and Yates, the Dodgers have most of their arms returning, including Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Ben Casparius, and Anthony Banda. But there are also returning bullpen options who are currently on the IL, like Evan Phillips (15-day with rotator cuff soreness), Michael Kopech (15-day with shoulder impingement), and Brusdar Graterol (60-day with labrum surgery 11/2024). Graterol is expected to miss the first half of the 2025 season. Other hurlers who likely will miss the entire 2025 season are Michael Grove (labrum surgery 3/2025) and Kyle Hurt (Tommy John surgery 7/2024). Hurt could potentially return in 2025, but it depends on his progress and shouldn’t be rushed.
Departing Bullpen Options
Daniel Hudson and fan favorite Joe Kelly are the key players departing the Dodgers bullpen for the 2025 season. Daniel Hudson retired after the 2024 season, finishing his career with an ERA of 3.74 (111 ERA+) and WHIP of 1.221 with 817 strikeouts in 855 1/3 innings (8.6 K/9). But these numbers don’t tell the full story of Hudson’s career, as he began as a starter and transitioned into a reliever. As a Dodger, Hudson pitched to a 2.69 ERA (147 ERA+) and 1.018 WHIP with 98 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings (9.8 K/9) and 1.2 WAR across three seasons. His numbers with the Dodgers show how effective he was as a reliever, and he maintained that effectiveness until his retirement after 15 major league seasons with seven different clubs. Dodger fans thank him for finishing his career in Los Angeles.
Joe Kelly’s Career in Flux
Joe Kelly made a name for himself in Dodgers lore by throwing behind Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman and above Carlos Correa during the first series between the two after the 2017 sign-stealing scandal came out. Then, after striking out Correa, Kelly and Correa exchanged words after Kelly mocked him. You can see a video breakdown here, but there is some foul language, so be prepared. Then Kelly wore a mariachi outfit on a visit to the White House with other Dodgers players after winning the 2020 World Series.
After having an excellent short season with the Dodgers after a midseason trade in 2023, the Dodgers signed Kelly to an $8 million deal for 2024. But he did not have such a great 2024 season, pitching to a 4.78 ERA (81 ERA+) and 1.469 WHIP while striking out 35 batters in 32 innings (9.8 K/9). The 36-year-old veteran righty reliever is currently not on a roster, but he still has the ability to strike batters out, which is a highly sought-after ability.
The Dodgers Must Have Enabled the ‘Force Trades’ Option in 2025
In baseball video games, it’s common to have an option to force the computer-controlled teams to accept every trade offer you give them. This helps gamers complete trades that the computer wouldn’t normally accept, which can come in handy when trying to make all the rosters in the game synch with all the current rosters in real life. Or you can enable the option and build an All-Star caliber team by trading your bench players for superstars on other teams. It almost seems like the Dodgers did the latter when they assembled their video-game-like lineup.
Quick Hits on Position Players
Mookie Betts returns to the Dodgers and could see time at shortstop, second base, and right field. He’s increased his value to the Dodgers by being malleable in terms of where the Dodgers want him to play. He signed as a right fielder and offered to play second when the Dodgers were limited with second base options. It’s rare for a superstar to sign a big contract and then switch positions, but Betts is that type of player and that type of person.
With Shohei Ohtani poised to pitch in 2025, the Dodgers expect him to be less active on the basepaths in an attempt to preserve his health. So don’t expect another 50/50 season. But expect Ohtani to produce both at the plate and on the mound in 2025.
Freddie Freeman has first base on lockdown for the Dodgers for the foreseeable future. Max Muncy returns to man the hot corner at third. Tommy Edman is a utilityman for the Dodgers, but his best position is second base, where he won a Gold Glove in 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals. We’ll see him at second, center, and perhaps shortstop in 2025. Will Smith is a reliable starting backstop, and he returns with Austin Barnes as his tag team partner behind the plate.
Teoscar Hernandez returns to the Dodgers outfield with Mookie Betts, Andy Pages, and newcomer Michael Conforto. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez (Kike) return as right-handed utility options along with the switch hitting Edman. And finally, Miguel Rojas expects to see plenty of time at shortstop in 2025 for the Dodgers as he has in the past.
Conforto a Potential 2025 Hero
Newcomer Michael Conforto is an interesting outfield option for the Dodgers. He played for the San Francisco Giants from 2023-24 but did not post the numbers he posted on the New York Mets at the start of his career. Injuries derailed his career multiple times. His manager reportedly not liking him enough to give him an everyday role probably did not help either. The Dodgers are high on Conforto, however. He has a lot of upside potential in that his average numbers are not great but his best seasons are great.
In 2017, Conforto slashed .279/.384/.555 with an OPS of .939 (148 OPS+). He hit 27 homers, 20 doubles, drove in 68 runs mainly as a leadoff man, and was an All-Star for the only time in his career. His Mets career numbers are .253/.353/.481, with an OPS of .834 (125 OPS+). He averaged 31 homers, 87 RBI, 31 doubles, and 78 walks per 162 games with the Mets, but his overall numbers don’t seem as good due to his injuries.
The 2025 Dodgers have again assembled a team that could potentially bring home another World Series title. The only question is whether or not they will do it in back-to-back seasons. Regardless, this season should be a fun one to watch for Dodgers fans.
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