They lost another big name in Kenley Jansen.
It looks like the Dodgers might score 10 runs a game, and give up 11.
With the addition of Freeman, the 2020 National League MVP, the Dodgers have one of the most potent lineups ever assembled. This is a team that led the National League with 5.1 runs scored per game last year. Let’s just call the new Dodges lineup the produce section, well, for obvious reasons. They are going to get more hits and score more runs than the grocery store has in bananas, apples and onions.
The Dodgers signed Freeman to a six-year, $162 million deal, the third $100 million deal in three years for the Dodgers. He hit .300 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs last season. He also led the National League in runs scored with 120 for the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers have three of the top 20 hitters (Freeman, Trea Turner, and Justin Turner) and three of the top 20 home runs hitters (Max Muncy, Trea Turner and Freeman) from 2021.
It looks like the Dodgers offense is going to be fresh and bountiful.
Bullpen
The Dodgers lost Jansen, who fell out of favor with fans over the past two years. He didn’t come through in the playoffs. He blew some big games against the Giants. There were times he was the most unreliable pitcher in the bullpen.
But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts never gave up on him, kept throwing him out there in crucial situations.
And looking at his numbers, Jansen didn’t have an awful season. He had 38 saves and a 2.22 ERA, well below his career ERA of 2.37. He recorded 350 saves in his 12 seasons with the Dodgers and leaves with 1,022 strikeouts. The Atlanta Braves signed him to a one-year deal.
But the Dodgers do have a pitching problem. Now they need a closer. Blake Treinen looks like the leader in the clubhouse, but Brusdar Graterol and Victor Gonzalez will probably get their chances too.
Starters
The Dodgers rotation needs some work too.
Clayton Kershaw, the ace of the Dodgers for more than a decade, is coming back for at least one more season. He is at best a No. 3 starter on the Dodgers now, and that is when he is healthy, which has been about a 50-50 proposition the past couple of seasons.
The new ace of the Dodgers staff is Walker Buehler. Julio Urias is the best No. 2 starter in MLB. But there are gaping holes in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots.
The Dodgers recently added Tyler Anderson to the mix. He spent 2021 with the Pirates and Mariners and went 7-11 with a 4.53 ERA.
The Dodgers have Andrew Heaney, a rebuild project from the Angels.
They have Tony Gonsolin, who is full of potential, but lacks experience.
They have David Price, who is overflowing with experience, but lacks a decent fastball these days.
They also have Danny Duffy, a free-agent addition last season who won’t be ready to pitch again until June at the earliest.
Surely the Dodgers can put together a decent rotation with those arms. But they most certainly need to lead MLB in runs with those arms too.
And they have Dustin May, who is on the 60-day injured list and will probably miss the entire 2022 season. At best, he might come out of the bullpen late in the season.
And for those thinking Trevor Bauer will be in the Dodgers rotation in 2022, just don’t. The Dodgers don’t want him. MLB doesn’t want him. And about half the fans don’t want him. Let him go, and hope he doesn’t post any revenge porn of you.
By most accounts, the Dodgers are favored again to win the National League West, the National League pennant and the World Series. But first things first. Let’s see them win some spring training games before getting too excited.
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