The Los Angeles Dodgers are the reigning MLB champions and favorites of many to emerge triumphant again in 2021. They added Trevor Bauer to their rotation and managed to retain free agents Justin Turner and Blake Treinen, both important in the 2020 crown.
Despite losing Joc Pederson, Kike Hernández and Pedro Báez, among others, they once again present a deep and balanced squad.
But if we look ahead a bit, the upcoming season could be the end of an era for the franchise. Although they have the talent and the resources to be competitive for a long time, the current configuration of the group is on track to undergo significant transformations starting in 2022.
Let’s start with Clayton Kershaw, who ends his contract at the end of 2021. In an interview published a few days ago in the LA Times, the star left-hander hinted at his indecision about what he will do after the season. Signing with a team that is closer to home might be an option. Retirement is also a possibility.
On the other hand, Corey Seager, the team’s starting shortstop and last postseason hero, will be a free agent in about eight months. Kenley Jansen also enters the final year of his contract.
In Seager’s case, management will have to decide whether it makes sense to award another mega contract (in addition to Mookie Betts’) to retain the shortstop, who will turn 27 at the end of April and has been consistently productive as long as he’s been healthy.
The 33-year-old Jansen has saved 312 games to be the linchpin of eight straight division titles. But it is evident that his “stuff” has suffered a reduction as a result of the workload he has had for years. His tenure with the team beyond 2021 is not guaranteed.
Turner has a new two-year contract to stay in Los Angeles. Although he has been an influential and productive player since he arrived in 2014 (averages of .302 / .382 / .503 in that period), we cannot lose sight that he is 36 years old. His days of stardom could be numbered.
As it is, it is very likely that in 2022 we will see a team built around Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Will Smith, Walker Buehler, Bauer and perhaps Seager, among others, with a bullpen very different from the current one.
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