Inbox: Could this player be the Dodger to watch in '23?
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LOS ANGELES -- Despite winning a franchise-record 111 games in 2022, this has been an offseason of change for the Dodgers, and it’s not quite done.
Even with those changes, the Dodgers are still confident they’ll field a very competitive team once Spring Training gets going in mid-February. Until then, let’s go ahead and answer a few of your questions in a holiday break Inbox.
What was your favorite moment this year and who’s your player to watch next year?
-- @YesImAnExpert via Twitter
I have to say watching Albert Pujols hit No. 700 in person was pretty special. Good chance I won’t see another player reach that milestone in person.
And as I’ve been saying for some time now -- Miguel Vargas is the name to watch next season. He has been working out at Dodger Stadium for months and is committed to getting better defensively. But his best position, as he loves to say, is in the batter’s box, and he’ll get a chance to prove that on an everyday basis this season.
The Dodgers could use another bat or two. Any targets you’ve heard them pursuing?
-- @Wittman7 via Twitter
J.D. Martinez was the name that always popped up and now we know he’ll be a Dodger next season. With essentially one spot open on the position player side, it’s fair to assume that he'll be an outfielder. Now, will it be a center fielder or a corner outfielder? That’ll be interesting.
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What are the chances the Dodgers will pursue a trade for Bryan Reynolds, and pitching or infield depth?
-- via @gaustin70 via Twitter
The Dodgers didn’t want to trade the farm for Juan Soto at the Trade Deadline. Reynolds is a great player, but he’s not Soto. So unless the Pirates significantly lower their asking price, I don’t see how a trade for Reynolds will come into play.
How do you think Mark Prior will fix Noah Syndergaard? How good can Syndergaard be?
-- @dodgers_burner via Twitter
It’s hard to argue with what Prior has been able to do with certain pitchers as the pitching coach over the last few years. The Dodgers turned Andrew Heaney into a pretty good starter, though injuries cost him significant time. Tyler Anderson will be a reference the Dodgers use for the next decade when they’re trying to recruit these types of free agents.
That’s what they did with Syndergaard, and it worked. The belief is that Syndergaard can be really good for the Dodgers. He’ll be another year removed from Tommy John surgery and they can tap into his breaking ball even more.
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Based on the last six years of success and lineup construction, do you feel like the Dodgers' lineup will flourish with a projected two to three "rookie" bats in the lineup? I fear this the most for 2023.
-- @AmoreSports via Twitter
As constructed, there is definitely some concern when it comes to the Dodgers’ lineup. Not having Trea Turner at the top is something that is going way too unnoticed. That’s going to be a huge loss for the Dodgers, one they won’t be able to replace.
With that being said, the Dodgers still have Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith on the roster. The lineup will be fine. And if Max Muncy can bounce back, they’ll be that much more dangerous.