Breaking down Dodgers' 2022 roster outlook

LOS ANGELES -- While the Dodgers have some important decisions to make this offseason, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman feels good about the core group they have in place as they enter the winter.

“[We] have a really strong group that’s returning with some young players coming up that we feel good about,” Friedman said. “So as we look forward, whether it’s our internal guys or external guys, it’s how to round out our roster to put us in the best position to succeed. I’m confident we’ll get there.”

With that being said, here’s a breakdown of the most prominent Dodgers roster pieces from the 2021 season and their outlook for the ‘22 season.

Catchers
Will Smith (free agent after 2025): Smith hit 25 homers and posted a .860 OPS in his first full season in the Majors. In a short period of time, Smith has established himself as one of the best hitting backstops in the league. He’ll continue to serve as the Dodgers’ top catcher moving forward.

Austin Barnes (free agent after 2022): While Smith will continue to handle most of the catching duties, Barnes does bring a defense-first mentality to the position. If Clayton Kershaw returns, Barnes will continue his role as the left-hander’s personal catcher.

Infielders
Max Muncy (club option after 2022): Muncy was the Dodgers’ most consistent hitter in ‘21. Muncy led the team with a career-high 36 homers and was named to his second All-Star team. But a left elbow injury on the last day of the regular season forced him to miss the postseason. The Dodgers expect him to recover and be a force in the middle of their lineup in ‘22.

Justin Turner (club option after 2022): Turner matched a career-high 27 homers, but due to other injuries, the 36-year-old played in more games (151) than originally planned. Turner, however, showed that he’s still durable, though a hamstring injury in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series ultimately ended his season. He’s expected to be full-go by February.

Corey Seager (free agent): Seager missed three months with a fractured right hand, but when healthy, he was one of the best hitting shortstops in the Majors. He hit 16 homers in 95 games, posting a .915 OPS, the highest of his career in a 162-game season. The 2020 NLCS and World Series MVP Award winner will be the top target for many teams in free agency, including the Dodgers, and will likely ask for somewhere close to $300 million.

Trea Turner (free agent after 2022): Turner came over from the Nationals at the Trade Deadline and instantly became a big part of the Dodgers’ lineup. He led the Majors with a .328 average, winning his first batting title. If Seager leaves in free agency, Turner will be the team’s starting shortstop.

Chris Taylor (free agent): Taylor was perhaps the Dodgers’ most invaluable player in 2021 and earned his first All-Star selection. He followed his strong regular season by hitting four homers in the postseason, including a historic three-homer game in Game 5 of the NLCS. Taylor is going to get paid this winter.

Gavin Lux (signed through 2026): Lux had an up-and-down season, which ultimately ended with him finding success at the plate as an outfielder. The Dodgers, however, still see him as a middle infielder. Lux’s role in ‘22 will be partially dependent on what happens with Seager and Taylor in free agency.

Albert Pujols (free agent): Pujols was a pleasant addition this season, making an impact against left-handed pitching. The future Hall of Famer hit .303 with 10 homers against southpaws after joining the Dodgers. Pujols is currently playing in the Dominican Winter League and appears to be set on playing at least one more season.

Matt Beaty (signed through 2025): Beaty is the Dodgers’ top left-handed pinch-hitting option. He will likely stay in that role next season.

Edwin Ríos (signed through 2025): Ríos had a rough start to the season, going 4-for-51 before right shoulder surgery ended his season in May. The infielder is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

Zach McKinstry (free agent after 2027): McKinstry got off to a hot start at the plate, but an oblique injury forced him to miss some time and he was never able to establish himself. If Taylor leaves in free agency, McKinstry will have an increased role next season.

Outfielders
Mookie Betts (signed through 2032): Betts dealt with a nagging hip/back injury all season, which affected his numbers. The 23 homers were the second-lowest for the star outfielder in a 162-game season. His .854 OPS was the lowest since ‘17. Still, Betts was named an All-Star for the fifth time in his career.

Cody Bellinger (free agent after 2023): Bellinger played in two different seasons in ‘21. He was one of the worst hitters in the Majors during the regular season, but was a key contributor for the Dodgers in the postseason. Los Angeles fans are hoping to see more of the postseason version of Bellinger, especially considering that he will be making about $17 million in arbitration. Entering the offseason healthy should help Bellinger have a bounceback year.

AJ Pollock (played option after 2022): Pollock had a career-year in ‘21. His 21 homers tied a career-high and an .892 OPS was his best in a full season. Pollock also played in 117 games, his most since appearing in 157 in ‘15. He’ll be a big part of the lineup in ‘22.

Steven Souza Jr. (free agent): Souza was a surprise contributor in the postseason. He could choose to return to Los Angeles, though he wouldn’t have a guaranteed spot on the big league roster.

Luke Raley (free agent after 2027): Raley flashed some raw power, but he projects more as a depth piece.

Starting pitchers
LHP Clayton Kershaw (free agent): Kershaw had recurring left forearm injuries this season. He ultimately decided to take a PRP injection in October, and expects to be ready for Spring Training. Though there are some injury concerns, Kershaw will have an opportunity to return to the Dodgers.

RHP Max Scherzer (free agent): Scherzer is in the mix for his fourth Cy Young Award after another superb season. He was excellent for the Dodgers following a midseason trade with the Nationals. Unfortunately, his season ended during the NLCS due to “overcooking” his throwing arm.

RHP Walker Buehler (signed through 2024): Buehler became the team’s ace in ‘21 and will carry an even larger responsibility next season. He reached the 200-inning mark for the first time in his career and will be a legitimate candidate for the NL Cy Young Award this season.

LHP Julio Urías (signed through 2023): Urías became a full-time starter for the first time in his career. He responded by becoming the Majors’ only 20-game winner. The Mexican-born left-hander will continue to be an integral piece of the Dodgers’ rotation.

RHP Trevor Bauer (player option in 2022): Bauer missed the last four months of the season after being placed on paid administrative leave after sexual assault allegations. The right-hander is still being investigated by Major League Baseball.

RHP Dustin May (signed through 2025): May was in the midst of a breakout season before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has begun playing catch, but he’s expected to miss most, if not all, of the ‘23 season.

RHP Tony Gonsolin (signed through 2026): Gonsolin battled a right shoulder injury all season and struggled to find any consistency. The right-hander will need to find his previous form in order to make a sizable impact in ‘22.

RHP Mitch White (signed through 2027): White was a solid depth option for the Dodgers in ‘21. He could get an increased role depending on what the Dodgers do over the winter.

RHP Andre Jackson (signed through 2027): As he continues to gain experience, Jackson will likely start the season in the Majors. But the team’s No. 7 prospect will be in the mix for more starts.

Relief pitchers
RHP Kenley Jansen (free agent): After a couple of up-and-down seasons, Jansen returned to his dominant form in ‘21, recording 38 saves. Following the strong campaign, Jansen will be a hot commodity in free agency. The Dodgers will look to sign Jansen, but they have other options in the bullpen.

RHP Blake Treinen (club option after 2023): One of those options is Treinen, who was one of the most dominant relievers in the Majors. The right-hander usually handled the opposing team’s best hitters. If Jansen leaves, Treinen will likely become the Dodgers’ closer.

RHP Corey Knebel (free agent): Knebel missed three months with a lat injury, but he was one of the Dodgers’ best relievers when healthy. There will be mutual interest for a return.

RHP Joe Kelly (club option in 2022): Kelly missed the first month of the season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, but the right-hander was a key part of the bullpen once he returned to the field. He posted a 2.86 ERA in 48 appearances this season. His season, however, did end with a biceps injury. The Dodgers could decline Kelly’s option and bring him back at a lower price.

LHP Alex Vesia (signed through 2026): Vesia was acquired from the Marlins in February and quickly became the team’s best left-handed reliever. He’ll continue that role in ‘22.

RHP Brusdar Graterol (signed through 2026): Graterol had some inconsistencies early in the season, but the right-hander figured it out by the end of the campaign. He introduced a new cutter, pairing that with a 102-mph sinker and an improved slider. He could be in the mix for the closer role.

RHP Phil Bickford (signed through 2027): Bickford was a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers and figures to be a big part of the bullpen once again in ‘22. He needs to improve against left-handed hitters.

LHP Victor González (signed through 2026): After a strong ‘20 season, González couldn’t find any consistency and finished the season as an afterthought in the Minors. With Vesia and Justin Bruihl emerging, it remains to be seen where González fits in the Dodgers’ plans.

RHP Evan Phillips (signed through 2026): Phillips didn’t get many opportunities during the regular season, but the right-hander showed promise in the postseason, striking out six over three innings of work. He could be a multi-inning option out of the ‘pen.

LHP Justin Bruihl (signed through 2027): A relative unknown before the season, Bruihl established himself as another left-handed option out of the bullpen.

RHP Tommy Kahnle (free agent after 2022): Kahnle missed the entire ‘21 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander is expected back for Spring Training. He will be a welcomed addition to the Dodgers’ bullpen. Kahnle posted a 3.67 ERA with the Yankees in ‘19.

LHP Caleb Ferguson (signed through 2024): Like Kahnle, Ferguson is also expected back in ‘22 after sitting out the entire ‘21 season due to Tommy John surgery.

LHP Scott Alexander (free agent after 2022): The Dodgers have plenty of left-handed options in the bullpen, so they’ll have a decision to make with Alexander, who missed most of the season with a pair of shoulder injuries.

RHP Jimmy Nelson (free agent): Nelson was solid when healthy, but injuries continue to derail his career. It’s unknown when Nelson will be able to return, but the Dodgers could sign him to a cheap deal.