The Los Angeles Dodgers won 100 games last period. The Los Angeles Dodgers are an improved team for the 2024 campaign. The combination of these declarations creates a circumstance that's rather disconcerting for challengers and pressure-packed for the ruling NL West champs. Unlike last period, in which the San Diego Padres looked neck and neck with the Dodgers entering the season in the battle to cover the west, the space feels practically difficult to bridge only a year later. Los Angeles Dodgers2023 record: 100-62 (1st, NL West: shed in NLDS) 2024 FanGraphs estimate: 93-69 (1st in NL West) In spite of the 100 victories in 2023, the Dodgers still entered into this off-season with a great deal of inquiries to respond to, specifically relating to the pitching staff. Last season's success happened despite many wellness concerns with the rotation, which compelled Bobby Miller to nearly lead the team in innings, in spite of not debuting up until late May. Knowing Clayton Kershaw would certainly miss out on the first fifty percent of 2024, a minimum of, and understanding the requirement to maintain retrieved Walker Buehler fresh for a postseason run, the front office mosted likely to work with including effect arms. One of the vital acquisitions would come at the expense of the Yankees missing out on out on a leading target, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the highest deal on the table and went out west. The Dodgers additionally used one of their lots of young arms that carried out well in 2023 as a trade chip. A bargain was struck with the Rays, with Ryan Pepiot headlining the profession plan for Tyler Glasnow. Just like that, what was as soon as a placement of some worry became one of toughness. LA enters the year with a turning of Yamamoto, Glasnow, Bobby Miller, James Paxton (authorized on a 1 year offer), and likely Gavin Stone. Whatever you believe of this specific group, maintain in mind the inbound supports at different points of the period with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Emmett Sheehan coming up, and a myriad of interesting arms in the top minors. We reached about 340 words without discussing Shohei Ohtani and that feels like an insult. Nonetheless, it was vital to start with the pitching side of points, considering such turnover on top end. Ohtani won't take the pile as a starter in 2024, however as he recuperates from offseason surgical procedure, the man with the richest agreement in the history of sporting activities will certainly add a third-MVP bat to an already filled offense. Often I discover myself on the side of preaching care with hyperbolic statements, however there have actually been few trios as enforcing as Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Ohtani in an MLB schedule. Not to mention the depth that Teoscar Hernndez brings to the middle part of the order, along with Dodger stalwarts like Max Muncy and Will Smith. With the positives out of the way, a factor of concern predicted before the begin of the period has currently raised its head in springtime training, with the team's defense revealing some openings. The left side of the infield has actually been a problem, with Muncy failing to supply much stability on that particular side of the sphere. Muncy is being compelled onto the infield dirt more, with the DH area spoken for. Gavin Lux, a second baseman by trade in the bigs, was originally set to cover shortstop in the post-Corey Seager period. A year off a torn ACL, it was reasonable to ask yourself just how he would certainly return, and the response has actually not been excellent. The spring showed sufficient to prompt Roberts to make a move before Opening Day. Betts will certainly now be the key shortstop, and Lux will transfer to 2nd. It remains to be seen if that's a short-term repair or even more of a concern down the line. Whatever takes place, with enough offending firepower in other places from their super stars, if Lux's protective problems continue, it stands to reason that the front workplace will get acquire an infielder that can supply strong protection up the middle. Muncy, on the various other hand, is established at 3rd and there isn't much wiggle room. There isn't a ton to report on the bullpen besides the standard yearly turn over. Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol remain an awesome one-two punch, and veterans Daniel Hudson and Blake Treinen look healthy through spring, both with the ability of playing essential functions down the stretch Guardians Shorts. Looking at the NL West, you see a diminished San Diego Padres group, a solid but unspectacular Arizona Diamondbacks team (NLDS bane does not division contender make), and the San Francisco Giants with the ceiling of a Wild Card contender. All that sustains the assumption that the Dodgers will breeze through the regular season, possibly combating with the Atlanta Braves for the front runner in the NL. Nevertheless, for far better or worse, this group will certainly be evaluated by what they carry out in October.