This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it usually in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES — Probably the most anticipated Dodgers season in fairly a while will get going subsequent weekend, after pitchers and catchers report back to Camelback Ranch by Thursday to organize for the 2024 marketing campaign.
There can be lots to speak about over the subsequent 9 months. However earlier than all of it will get began, let’s dive into one final offseason Inbox.
Any last-minute strikes they’ll make? Guessing for a reliever? — @akunematata through X
You may’ve heard, however the Dodgers have had a fairly busy winter. However I anticipate they’ll nonetheless add a bit or two earlier than the beginning of the season. A reliever, particularly Ryan Brasier, makes a number of sense for each side, however the right-hander could be trying to money in on another large deal earlier than the top of his profession.
There appears to be a wholesome marketplace for relievers, and Brasier is without doubt one of the greatest remaining. The Dodgers have proven curiosity all through his course of, however it’ll finally come all the way down to the place he desires to play. Los Angeles, in fact, has the benefit in that it helped Brasier save his profession over the past three months of the season.
The Dodgers have additionally been linked to Kenley Jansen, who might be traded from Boston. That might be fairly the information, huh? There’s additionally a future Corridor of Famer nonetheless in free company by the title of Clayton Kershaw. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see when Kershaw makes his choice, given he gained’t be an element on the mound till not less than after the All-Star Recreation.
What’s the way forward for Miguel Vargas now that he appears like he’ll begin the yr off in Triple-A? Will they develop him because the 3B of the longer term, or is he extra of a 2B/OF now? — @bluegoon82 through X
It is a good query concerning Vargas. Clearly, the Cuban prospect got here into final season with a number of hype, and he was given the second-base job from the beginning. With Mookie Betts now the on a regular basis second baseman, Vargas’ path to the Majors is clearly harder. Vargas will proceed to get reps at second and third, however he may even see a while in left discipline to see how he adapts to the outfield.
Barring accidents, Vargas will certainly begin the season within the Minors, and he’ll need to show final season was only a fluke in the case of his offensive numbers. His place will get taken care of if he hits. If he doesn’t, it gained’t matter.
Replace on [Blake] Treinen, Huddy [Daniel Hudson]? Is it official [Walker] Buehler gained’t begin the season? Is it a setback or simply saving him? — @herem13 through X
Treinen and Hudson have missed a number of time over the previous two seasons, so that they’ll have one thing to show this spring. The Dodgers are at all times going to be cautious with gamers getting back from accidents, however Treinen and Hudson may come into spring in a great place.
As for Buehler, nothing is official till the participant or the group absolutely commits to the plan, however it will be a shock if the right-hander opens the season within the rotation. Los Angeles hasn’t stated there was a setback, however Buehler hoped to contribute late final season and wasn’t in a position to. That might be telling.