Saturday, April 20, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
Everyone expected the Los Angeles Dodgers would have a fantastic season in 2024. They might have a great season, but they might have a disappointing season.
The Dodgers had a highlight offseason where they spent over a billion dollars on improving the team. Signing Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamato, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernandez, James Paxton, and Kiké Hernàndez. Most of them have performed satisfactorily. Andrew Friedman trusted too much in young starters and Gavin Lux.
The Dodgers have been asking Mookie Betts to do a lot. While he has responded well offensively, playing shortstop is difficult for him. He has been working so much to improve. Working on shortstop to improve will exhaust him for the hot summer. The Dodgers need Betts to produce offensively in the postseason. They need to move Betts to second base as they planned during the exciting offseason.
Gavin Lux is underperforming. While Lux is a decent second baseman, he cannot hit. In spring training, Lux could hit for high average without any power. Now, he cannot get a hit. This is damaging the Dodgers’ offensive production. Many other pundits would like to see the Dodgers send Lux to the minor leagues. To me, this is wishful thinking. Lux must improve at the major league level, or the Dodgers need to trade him. A change of scenery might help Lux reach his unlimited potential.
The Dodgers need a better offensive outfield than they have. Yes, having Jason Heyward on the IL is hurting the Dodgers. James Outman has hit hard luck. He will be okay. T. Hernandez has produced well. Chris Taylor is mired in a slump even though he had a hit. This past week they promoted Andy Pages. He might have been rushed to the major leagues.
The Dodgers have pitching problems both in the starting rotation and bullpen. Losing Bobby Miller for some time has hurt the rotation. Since the starters don’t go long in the game, the bullpen is overworked. They need Blake Treinen, but Treinen was injured during spring training. The Dodgers hope Walker Buehler will return to the active roster.
The Dodgers aren’t this bad or that good when they played the Saint Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants. It’s too early to know how good or how bad the team is. Yes, the Dodgers have some holes that could be improved, but all baseball teams can be improved .
