Dodgers' 2024 Free Agents, Trade Targets, Offseason Guide After World Series Win
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series on Wednesday night, cruising past the New York Yankees in five games to secure the franchise's eighth championship and first since the shortened 2020 campaign.
While a 98-win season and a trip to the NLDS would have been a successful season for many teams, it was World Series-or-bust for the Dodgers thanks to a star-studded roster that was bolstered by a $1 billion offseason spending spree, headlined by the addition of superstar Shohei Ohtani.
The San Diego Padres took them to five games in the NLDS and the New York Mets lasted six games in the NLCS, but the Dodgers were in complete control in the Fall Classic from the moment Freddie Freeman sent his walk-off grand slam into the October night in Game 1.
Now that the season has officially come to a close, it's time to look ahead at what's to come for the 2024 World Series champs.
Season in Review
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The Dodgers spent over $1 billion last offseason when they signed Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernández, re-signed Clayton Kershaw and extended Tyler Glasnow after he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays.
That level of spending made a title the only measure of success.
They won 98 games during the regular season and claimed their 11th NL West title in the last 12 years, but the road was bumpier than we've seen in years past.
Despite stellar offensive seasons from Ohtani (190 OPS+, 99 XBH, 54 HR, 130 RBI, 59 SB) and Hernández (137 OPS+, 67 XBH, 33 HR, 99 RBI) alongside incumbent superstars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the offense scored 64 fewer runs than it did the year before.
On the pitching side, injuries plagued the starting rotation all year, with 17 different hurlers starting at least one game during the season. Only Gavin Stone (140.1) and Glasnow (134.0) reached 100 innings pitched, and they both ended the regular season on the injured list.
Even with some ups and downs along the way, the Dodgers still entered the NLDS with the best odds to win the World Series of any team, and they closed out the regular season with momentum after going 11-3 in their final 14 games.
The NLDS went five games against the rival San Diego Padres and the NLCS lasted six games before they dispatched a red-hot New York Mets team, setting up a high-profile World Series matchup with the New York Yankees.
A dramatic walk-off grand slam by Freddie Freeman in Game 1 set the tone for the Dodgers to steamroll their way to a World Series title, and they now have their first full-season championship since 1988 and the eighth in franchise history.
Notable Free Agents and Contract Option Decisions
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Notable Free Agents
- SP Jack Flaherty
- OF Teoscar Hernández
- SP Walker Buehler
- IF/OF Enrique Hernández
- RP Daniel Hudson
- RP Blake Treinen
- RP Joe Kelly
- OF Kevin Kiermaier
The two big names here are Jack Flaherty and Teoscar Hernández.
Flaherty was the prized pickup of the trade deadline, and he ended up in the role of co-ace alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto heading into the postseason amid all the injuries to the Dodgers rotation. He will be one of the top starters on the market following a terrific 2024 campaign in which he posted a 3.17 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 162 innings, and the fact that he does not turn 29 years old until next week further adds to his earning power.
Meanwhile, Hernández signed a one-year, $23.5 million deal last offseason and finished second on the team to Shohei Ohtani in home runs (33) and RBI (99), providing invaluable run production in the middle of the lineup. Since the Seattle Mariners decided against extending him a qualifying offer last winter, he is still eligible to receive one this time offseason, though a long-term deal is likely in his sights.
A one-year contract with Walker Buehler to try to rebuild his value after a disappointing return from Tommy John surgery could prove beneficial to both sides, and it would not be the least bit surprising to see another reunion with Enrique Hernández.
Notable Club/Player Options
- SP Clayton Kershaw ($10 million player option)
- SS Miguel Rojas ($5 million club option)
- C Austin Barnes ($3.5 million club option)
Is Clayton Kershaw going to return for another season?
The 36-year-old signed a one-year deal with a 2025 player option during the offseason knowing he would miss a significant chunk of the 2024 season following shoulder surgery. He made his season debut on July 25 but only lasted seven starts before landing on the injured list again with a toe issue, which ultimately kept him on the sidelines for the postseason.
Veteran Miguel Rojas had the best season of his career in 2024, posting a 113 OPS+ over 337 plate appearances and providing elite defense at shortstop (8 DRS, 9.5 UZR/150) en route to a career-high 3.4 WAR. Even if the Dodgers explore upgrades at shortstop, he is a solid value at $5 million in a utility role, so his option will likely be exercised.
The status of longtime backup catcher Austin Barnes hinges on what role the team sees for top prospect Dalton Rushing in 2025. His $3.5 million club option contains no buyout money if it is declined.
Biggest Needs
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Starting Pitcher
The Dodgers ranked 19th in the majors with a 4.23 ERA from their starting pitchers in 2024, and a whopping 17 different pitchers started at least one game.
Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a healthy Shohei Ohtani look poised to occupy three spots on the starting staff, while others like Bobby Miller, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan, Dustin May, Landon Knack and River Ryan could also be in the mix depending on their health and spring performance.
Despite all of that potential depth, it still feels like adding at least one durable veteran to the mix would go a long way.
Shortstop
Assuming Mookie Betts is going to be stationed in right field going forward, the Dodgers will almost certainly pursue upgrades at shortstop this offseason, even if they exercise their club option on Miguel Rojas.
The stalled development of Gavin Lux in the wake of letting Trea Turner walk in free agency has created a major question mark at the position.
Corner Outfielder
Pencil in Tommy Edman in center field and Mookie Betts in right field for the 2025 season, but left field is a question mark.
Young up-and-comers Andy Pages and James Outman are potential in-house options, and utility man Chris Taylor is signed for another year, but replacing the production that Teoscar Hernández provided in the middle of the lineup could be a top priority.
Setup Reliever
With Daniel Hudson (65 G, 3.00 ERA), Blake Treinen (50 G, 1.93 ERA) and Joe Kelly (35 G, 4.78 ERA) all poised to reach free agency, the Dodgers have some important innings to replace in the bullpen.
The combination of Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia and a healthy Brusdar Graterol still gives them a good foundation to build around in the bullpen, but they will need at least a few outside additions to shore up the relief corps.
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Free-Agent Targets
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Below we've highlighted one potential free-agent target for each of the four positions identified as potential areas of need:
Starting Pitcher: Andrew Heaney
The Dodgers don't need to aim for the top-tier of the starting pitching market and might also benefit from targeting a pitcher who has some experience pitching in a swingman role.
Heaney, 33, had a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 110-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 72.2 innings as a member of the Dodgers in 2022. He turned that performance into a two-year, $25 million deal from the Texas Rangers, and he has been a solid back-end starter who pitched some big innings during the team's World Series run in 2023.
Shortstop: Willy Adames
Adames is far and away the top option on the market at shortstop, coming off a season in which he posted a 118 OPS+ with 33 doubles, 32 home runs, 112 RBI, 21 steals and 3.1 WAR in 161 games.
Versatile Ha-Seong Kim is the only other potential everyday shortstop available in free agency, while Paul DeJong is a bargain option.
Corner Outfielder: Tyler O'Neill
O'Neill will likely come at a slightly lower price point than re-signing Teoscar Hernández or replacing him with Anthony Santander, but he is capable of providing a similar level of production with a clean bill of health.
The 29-year-old logged a 132 OPS+ with 31 home runs in 473 plate appearances, and 49 of his 99 hits on the year went for extra bases. He would be reunited with former teammate Tommy Edman in the outfield.
Setup Reliever: Kenley Jansen
Jansen has expressed in the past that he would like to retire in a Dodgers uniform, and after one year in Atlanta and two years in Boston, he could return to Los Angeles to wrap up his potential Hall of Fame career.
He converted 27 of 31 save opportunities with a 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in 54 appearances, and while the Dodgers might not be willing to guarantee him ninth-inning duties, he could serve as part of the late-inning contingent.
Trade Targets
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Below we've highlighted three potential trade targets the Dodgers could explore if they miss out on their top targets in free agency:
OF Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics
If the A's are willing to listen, Rooker has the type of power bat that could replace the run production void left behind by a departing Teoscar Hernández.
Fresh off a season in which he posted a 165 OPS+ with 39 home runs and 112 RBI, and with club control through 2027, he won't come cheap. It would almost certainly take one of Dalton Rushing or Josue De Paula as the centerpiece, along with multiple secondary pieces with upside.
SP Zack Littell, Tampa Bay Rays
With a $1.85 million salary in 2024 that is projected to jump to $4.8 million in his second year of arbitration, Littell is an obvious candidate to be moved by the cost-conscious Rays this winter if they continue to trim payroll.
The 29-year-old pitched primarily as a reliever until joining the Rays in 2023, so he has experience in a variety of roles. He finished with a 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 156.1 innings over 29 starts in 2024.
IF Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs
This one falls into the outside-the-box category, but with prospects Matt Shaw and James Triantos knocking on the MLB door, the Cubs are facing an infield logjam and could look to trade from an area of strength to address other needs.
The Cubs and Dodgers came together last offseason in the deal that sent Michael Busch to Chicago in exchange for pitching prospect Jackson Ferris, and while he has played second base alongside Dansby Swanson, Hoerner is capable of providing standout defense at shortstop.
The 27-year-old has tallied 13.0 WAR over the past three seasons, and he has two years and $23.5 million remaining on a three-year extension.
Projected 2025 Opening Day Roster
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Starting Lineup
DH Shohei Ohtani
RF Mookie Betts
1B Freddie Freeman
SS Willy Adames
C Will Smith
3B Max Muncy
LF Andy Pages
2B Gavin Lux
CF Tommy Edman
Bench
C/OF Dalton Rushing (R)
IF Miguel Rojas
IF/OF Chris Taylor
OF James Outman
Starting Rotation
RHP Shohei Ohtani
RHP Tyler Glasnow
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
RHP Tony Gonsolin
RHP Bobby Miller
Bullpen
RHP Dustin May
LHP Anthony Banda
RHP Ryan Brasier
RHP Brusdar Graterol
RHP Kenley Jansen
RHP Evan Phillips
LHP Alex Vesia
RHP Michael Kopech
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