A roundup of Dodgers' 5 offseason signings

This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

LOS ANGELES -- It’s really no secret the Dodgers would like to reset the Competitive Balance Tax this offseason, which has resulted in much less activity for L.A. than everyone has grown accustomed to.

After blowing past the tax threshold in each of the last two seasons, the Dodgers’ thinking in resetting the cap is pretty simple: It positions them to make a run at superstar Shohei Ohtani, who will become a free agent at the end of the season, unless he agrees to an extension with the Angels.

Even if the Dodgers don’t sign Ohtani, it also allows them to spend freely on Julio Urías, who is also a free agent after the 2023 season. But that strategy has forced them to make tough decisions, particularly letting longtime Dodgers Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner join the Cubs and Red Sox, respectively.

Despite a pretty quiet offseason, the Dodgers still feel they’re positioned to make another run at a title in 2023. With Los Angeles now being right up against the CBT, a splash is unlikely at this point.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the five Major League deals the Dodgers have completed this winter, and where and how every newcomer fits on the roster.

J.D. Martinez, DH
Of the group of signings, Martinez projects to be the most impactful for the Dodgers in 2023. Martinez will be strictly a designated hitter, allowing Miguel Vargas and Max Muncy to handle third and second base, respectively. The veteran slugger will also get the majority of playing time against left-handed pitching.

Martinez is also expected to be a positive addition to the clubhouse. The 35-year-old has an excellent relationship with Mookie Betts. During their time in Boston, both players would spend hours in the batting cage talking about hitting. That’s something that benefited Betts with Freddie Freeman’s arrival last season. Now, he’ll have another partner in Martinez, who also has a strong relationship with Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc.

Noah Syndergaard, SP
Like Martinez, Syndergaard will also be tasked with an important role this season. Syndergaard was signed to be a key piece in the Dodgers’ rotation. The right-hander feels he has something to prove, which is why he signed a one-year deal as opposed to accepting a multiyear offer.

During his introductory Zoom, Syndergaard said he expects to turn back into the pitcher he was at the start of his career. Syndergaard came up with the Mets as a flamethrower, but was in the low-90s with his fastball last season, forcing him to pitch differently. If Syndergaard taps into who he was in the past, he could be a significant addition, and one the Dodgers desperately need.

Shelby Miller, RP
Probably the most surprising addition of the offseason, but the Dodgers believe letting Miller work with pitching coach Mark Prior will help the 32-year-old pitcher tap into something. Miller can be valuable in different roles. He can take down one inning or can help out with a multi-inning appearance, when needed.

Yonny Hernandez, INF
This was another surprising addition by the Dodgers, but one that was more of a depth move. Hernandez is a utility infielder with elite speed.

J.P. Feyereisen, RP
Feyereisen could return by September, but it’s more likely that he’ll miss the entire 2023 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in December. Even with his injury, the Dodgers decided to jump at the opportunity to acquire the right-hander because when healthy, he has the ability to be one of the best relievers in the sport.

Before getting hurt in early June, Feyereisen pitched 24 1/3 scoreless innings with the Rays. He will be added to the 60-day injured list next month, but he is under contract until the 2027 season.