This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat e-newsletter. To learn the total e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it often in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES — With the Dodgers beginning the season with two video games in Seoul, South Korea, in opposition to the Padres, they’re set to reach at Camelback Ranch in lower than 4 weeks to arrange for the now much-anticipated 2024 season.
Earlier than that occurs, nonetheless, we’ll take an in-depth, position-by-position have a look at the Dodgers and the way they’ll look in ‘24.
We’ll preserve the previews rolling with the outfielders.
The starters: Teoscar Hernández, James Outman
Even after buying Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, the Dodgers went into the remainder of the offseason understanding they wanted to get extra assist in the outfield. With Mookie Betts now a full-time second baseman, the Dodgers sought a right-handed-hitting outfielder.
At first of the offseason, Hernández was anticipating to get a profitable multi-year deal. That by no means got here and the Dodgers took benefit of the chance, signing him to a one-year, $23.5 million deal. The Dodgers love Hernández’s means to hit left-handers, however he’ll be an on a regular basis participant, no matter pitcher handedness. He’ll play left and proper area relying on the matchup.
In middle, Outman earned the beginning job final spring and by no means seemed again. Even with a two-month droop in the course of the season, Outman was one of many vivid spots in ‘23. Coming into his sophomore season, he’ll proceed to get the alternatives in middle area. Outman was strong in opposition to left-handed pitching and proved sufficient to get extra constant at-bats in opposition to southpaws.
The platoon choices: Jason Heyward, Manuel Margot
Heyward revived his profession final season with the Dodgers, and he did it attributable to his means to hit right-handed pitching. The veteran outfielder was an ideal match within the clubhouse and was rapidly introduced again on a one-year deal for ‘24. With Betts at second, Heyward will proceed to be the crew’s proper fielder in opposition to southpaws.
Margot, alternatively, will principally play in opposition to left-handers, however the extent of his taking part in time might be one thing to observe going into the season. He’s a strong defender in all three outfield spots, which can clear the way in which for him to make an impression subsequent season.
Who backs them up?: Chris Taylor
As we mentioned within the infield preview, Taylor will seemingly slot again into his super-utility position that has made him an integral a part of the roster the previous couple of seasons. Taylor will get a while within the infield, however he will also be a dependable left fielder at any time when the Dodgers want him.
Down on the farm: Andy Pages, Jose Ramos
There’s not a lot huge league-ready assist in the farm system. Pages would’ve been an choice had he performed final season, however the Cuban outfielder missed your complete 12 months after tearing his proper labrum. Pages will seemingly begin the season in both Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis, however he seemingly gained’t make his debut till at the very least the 2025 season. He’s a really proficient hitter, nonetheless, so he might shock.
Ramos wasn’t protected earlier than the Rule 5 Draft, however went unselected as soon as once more. The Panamanian outfielder has proven huge energy all through the Minors, hitting 57 homers in his 4 professional seasons, however huge strikeout numbers have prevented him from turning into one of the crucial polished hitters within the Minors. Like Pages, he’s not anticipated to be prepared for The Present this season.
Given the dearth of depth within the outfield, anticipate the Dodgers to proceed to work the telephones to attempt to herald veteran items on Minor League offers that might function choices later within the season.
