What now? That the Dodgers lost in 6 games against the Braves are now they will be watching the World Series from the couch, this team it’s still pretty stacked don’t expect a lot of changes this off-season, but moves will be made.
Pitching
Dodgers didn’t count with a lot of starting depth against the Braves, they used their bullpen a lot and they could rely only on 2 starters Scherzer and Buehler for the championship series
They count with Buehler, David Price and Julio Urías, Bauer and Gonsolin are all under contract for 2022, that leave one spot open that can be filled with Max Scherzer and/or Clayton Kershaw, both expected to be reached by the Dodgers in the off-season.
Going in-house for talent to add to the starting rotation won’t be an option for the Opening day since their most ready prospect Ryan Pepiot(#2 Dodgers system) struggled in AAA with a 7.13 ERA in 41.2 innings. Expect him to be added at some point if he performs well at AAA in 2022.
With one spot open in the starting rotation Dodgers will make a serious push for two of the best FA starters Scherzer and Kershaw.
Offense
Dodgers hope that the problem to get hits with men on base is a thing of just this post-season and not something to worry about.
Chris Taylor and Corey Seager are both headed to the free agency in November. Seager, in a recent interview said he would “love” to be back in the Dodgers, but that depends if they want him back.
With Trea Turner under control for 2022 and they have Gavin Lux waiting for his chance to get full time in the lineup with Justin Turner at 3B that left 1B open. That could be filled with Bellinger if needed, there’s no room for him.
Cody Bellinger surprised us this year with a massive underperform the whole 2021 season due to the injury of his dislocated shoulder while celebrating his home run in the NLCS of 2020, .542 ops and an ops+ 45 are not pretty and not expected of him. The former MVP of the 2019 season can definitely bounce back if his shoulder doesn’t bother him again.
Bullpen
The bullpen sits pretty well right now with Kenley Jansen(2.22 ERA) and Corey Knebel(2.45) being the only ones that will reach free agency this winter, there’s room for them there in the bullpen but that isn’t a need.
Overall, the Dodgers faced a pretty hot Braves team, deep lineup, deep bullpen, show that this team can still be a World Series contender. The absence of Muncy hurt them in the post-season but hopefully, he can be healthy next year in their post-season push.
I don’t think major changes will be made here. Probably re-sign one of Scherzer or Kershaw to fill the hole in the starting rotation. I could see them trying to sign Conforto to fill the OF for 2022.
