Previewing the Dodgers' offseason, beginning with a Freddie Freeman question

Just as many likely predicted when spring training began, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and the Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions again. Despite returning to Toronto trailing 3-2, the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays in the Fall Classic’s final two games and secured their third title in six years.

However, as one door closes, another opens. Just because the Dodgers are planning another championship parade doesn’t mean their work is finished. Instead, Los Angeles has plenty of work to do this offseason, from potentially making some difficult lineup decisions to replacing future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the starting rotation.

"Honestly, the thing I’m most proud of is when you put on the Dodger uniform, you expect to hoist up that trophy," third baseman Max Muncy said after the Dodgers' 5-4 victory on Saturday night. "It’s all about the team. It doesn’t matter about yourself. It’s whatever you can do to help this team win. That’s what we’ve created here, and that’s what I’m most proud of."

For this list, we’ve identified four key situations that the Dodgers must address within the coming months to achieve baseball’s first three-peat since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees. We’ve also tried suggesting realistic and feasible answers, so no, you won’t see Ohtani and Aaron Judge share a lineup next year.

Dodgers pressing question No. 1: Does the team need to get younger?

The situation: The Dodgers had the oldest Opening Day roster in baseball this season, with their 31.48 average age beating out the San Diego Padres (30.74) and Texas Rangers (30.68). Kershaw, who turns 38 next March, has officially retired and there’s no reason to think that the 36-year-old Freeman won’t be back next year; he has two seasons left on the six-year, $162 million deal he signed in 2022.

But they’re not the only notable contributors getting older. Mookie Betts turned 33 in October and remains an immensely valuable player despite hitting a career-worst .258. Muncy, a mainstay in the Dodgers’ lineup since 2018, celebrated his 35th birthday in August.

Possible solutions: The easy answer here is to, well, get younger. However, the question becomes how the Dodgers would turn to players still in their 20s, whether it’s through free agency, trades or their farm system. MLB Pipeline considered the Dodgers’ Minor Leagues as baseball’s best in mid-August, with five players in their top 100.

Dodgers pressing question No. 2: What to do with Max Muncy and third base

The situation: Muncy has a $10 million club option with no buyout, and it’d be hard to fault the Dodgers if they considered moving on. Although Muncy’s 3.6 bWAR marked his highest since 2021, he’s only played 173 of a possible 324 games the last two years. Plus, as mentioned above, he's not getting any younger.

Possible solutions: Obviously, the Dodgers could bring Muncy back for 2026 and proceed as normal. However, potential free agent options include Boston Red Sox veteran Alex Bregman, who's expected to opt out of a three-year, $120 million contract, and Seattle Mariners slugger Eugenio Suárez. Although Toronto’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa typically plays shortstop, he has extensive third base experience and is still a speed threat. Kiner-Falefa, who turns 31 in March, has recorded at least 20 doubles in three of the last five seasons.

Dodgers pressing question No. 3: How do the Dodgers replace Clayton Kershaw?

The situation: Kershaw will hang things up after a legendary Dodgers career, one that included three Cy Young Awards and MVP honors back in 2014. Perhaps most importantly, Kershaw won three rings with the Dodgers, and he’s a lock to enter the Hall of Fame in 2031. You won’t find many around baseball who will speak negatively about Kershaw, even if they failed to hit off him.

Possible solutions: ​​Perhaps the Dodgers’ best option here might be a veteran pitcher seeking a prove-it deal and an opportunity to reset their market ahead of the 2027 offseason. Zac Gallen, a 2023 All-Star with three top-10 Cy Young finishes, makes perfect sense. Gallen’s career-worst 4.83 ERA might raise some red flags, but he remains an impressive workhorse who has averaged 183.5 innings the last four years.

Alternatively, the Dodgers could try trading for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta or Detroit Tigers star Tarik Subal, assuming that their respective teams make them available. The rich always tend to get richer, especially when the Dodgers are involved.

Dodgers pressing question No. 4: What is Shohei Ohtani’s long-term pitching future?

The situation: Ohtani is a full-time DH at the plate, but it’s fair to question just how much he’ll pitch in 2026. The Dodgers limited Ohtani’s regular-season pitching workload after he returned from Tommy John surgery, but he nonetheless impressed with a 2.87 ERA and a 62-9 K-BB ratio in 47 innings over 14 starts.

Possible solutions: As we see it, the Dodgers have three potential options they can take with Ohtani’s pitching future. 

1. Ohtani remains in the rotation, and they hand him the ball every fifth day as they would any other starting pitcher. Maybe the Dodgers limit his innings in the first couple of months, but they don’t feel the need to overthink things.

2. Ohtani doesn’t pitch as often, perhaps once every two weeks, but the Dodgers don’t make him exclusively a designated hitter.

3. The Dodgers make Ohtani a permanent DH and only pitch him in an emergency situation or if injuries decimate the rotation.

Personally, we would keep it simple and stick with the first option. The Dodgers signed Ohtani to be a two-way player, and he’s done nothing to make anyone think that he can’t pitch anymore. However, we urge the Dodgers to strongly re-evaluate things if Ohtani suffers a pitching-related injury next season.