Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 Glaring Needs This Offseason

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a 111-win season, the most in the storied franchise's history. And yet they go into the offseason with a slew of glaring needs that will need to be addressed over the next four or so months.

Closer 

Craig Kimbrel certainly seems to have reached the end of the line, at least in LA. He was removed from the closer's role after struggling late in the season and manager Dave Roberts went with a committee. Is that a strategy they'll take into next season or will they make a push to bring in another big-name for the 9th inning?

In-house options include Blake Treinen, who has closer's experience in the majors, as well as Evan Phillips and Yency Almonte.

Shortstop

This position certainly hasn't been a problem, as Trea Turner was once again one of the best in the business. But he's a free agent, and while he says he's enjoyed his time in LA, there are plenty of rumors that he prefers the East Coast. 

If Turner leaves, do the Dodgers go hard after one of the other big-name shortstops on the market (Carlos Correa has been rumored, but Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts are also available), or will they entrust the position to in-house option Gavin Lux, who came up through the system as a shortstop (though they prefer him at 2B)?

Rotation Depth

This was one of the few trouble spots for the Dodgers in 2022; ace Walker Buehler went down in August with Tommy John surgery (which will keep him out most of 2023 as well), and breakout star Tony Gonsolin, who went 16-1, also went down with an injury, and at the most inopportune time, as the playoffs approached.  

There are also injury concerns for Dustin May, who returned earlier this year from Tommy John. 

Tyler Anderson, who was a major contributor this season, and Andrew Heaney, are both free agents, as is Clayton Kershaw, though he is almost certain to return. 

Somehow, the Dodgers have to address rotation depth. 

It will most definitely be a busy offseason in LA.