There has been quite a bit going on in post season and spring training is just about to get under way with opening day only 50 or so days away. We take a look at one of the teams which has been dominating the pre-season news thus far and will be, in many people's eyes, the favourite to win the World Series - The Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers have made the biggest splash by some distance this pre-season, and has committed to paying out over a billion dollars in wages in order to assemble a team of superstars capable of delivering the World Series once again, which they haven't won in a full 162 game season since 1988. They have signed the most talented player in baseball since Babe Ruth in Shohei Ohtani from crosstown rivals, Los Angeles Angels and have promised him over $700 million for the privilege during the course of the next 20 years (10 of which Ohtani is contracted to play for them).
In addition they have signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million 12 year contract from Japan. Many baseball experts consider Yamamoto to be the best pitcher in the world and his stats in Japan over the last 6 years have been absurdly good. Together with starting pitchers, James Paxton and Tyler Glasnow signed to bolster a starting rotation which was a glaring weakness last year, it looks like the Dodgers are in good shape in both departments. For good measure they have also re-signed Clayton Kershaw, however he won't be available pitch until around the middle of the season. Glasnow is particular, if he stays fit, could be a real superstar ace.
With Teoscar Hernandez signed from the Mariners to support their batting, and with an opening three in the batting lineup of Betts, Ohtani and Freeman, people are getting very excited. It seems highly likely that they will better their 100 wins of last year. However, as of the end of the 2023 season, we have the Rangers(AL), Phillies(NL) and Braves(NL) ranked ahead of them (See the full rankings here).
Add in the strengths of the Orioles, Rays and Diamondbacks, and a World Series victory suddenly becomes a different prospect. Baseball is a funny nut to crack, you can assemble the greatest team, do everything right, but the foibles of the sport mean that every game in postseason will always be a small deviation (if any) away from 50/50 as to who is going to win. So whilst Dodgers fans can be confident of another strong season, and probably topping their division, don't be surprised if they get no further than the Divisional series again and come up against a Phillies team who have kept the band together for another crack, or the Braves in the conference series who are another 100+ winning team and come up short. However, don't be surprised if a Betts, Ohtani and Freeman offense with a Glasnow, Paxton and Kershaw starting rotation come October sweep all aside on their way to the World Series.