MidValleySports.Com

By: Those Deferred Benchwarmers

After getting our contracts deferred by Mid Valley Sports, Those Benchwarmers are back to take you through another exciting Dodger season!

Last week, MLB Network posted 5 questions the Dodgers face heading into Spring Training and the eventual start to the season. In our debut article, Those Deferred Benchwarmers answer those questions, with a small variation to question 2:

(Riley Saxon, Derek Cheng)

1. What is the pitching plan with Ohtani?

Derek: It is likely he will resume pitching in games in May. With the return of Tyler Glasnow and Dustin May and the acquisitions of Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers can afford to be patient with their two-way star before he returns to the mound.

Riley: Derek said it best – at this point the Dodgers can afford to be patient. The timeline I’ve heard the most is mentioning May, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s June… and I would imagine the pitch count restrictions would make his first few starts feel like bullpen games.

2. What is the plan at second base?

Derek: The trade of Gavin Lux and the development of Hye-Seong Kim leave a hole at second base. Luckily, the Dodgers have players who can fill that void, but who should it be? Should fan favorite Kike Hernandez get a chance at being an everyday player, give Chris Taylor one more chance or take your chances with Kim.

Riley: With no clear-cut starter, I expect a typical Dodger response: a platoon based on the matchups. I expect to see Taylor, Hernandez, Kim, Miguel Rojas, David Bote (who is having a great Spring and is my bet to start at second base on opening day) and even some Tommy Edman and Max Muncy throughout the year. Andy Pages’ development would help, freeing Edman to play more at second. One name to watch for later in the season: Alex Freeland.

3. How will Roki Sasaki translate to MLB?

Derek: I expect him to dazzle fans and confuse hitters with his repertoire at times, but he will have growing pains. The best thing is to temper expectations for Sasaki. However, the greatest assets for Sasaki are Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who made the jump from the NPB to MLB.

Riley: How about a start to the season like Hideo Nomo and an end to it like Yoshinobu Yamamoto? While that’s the dream, I expect there to be some early rough patches. Sasaki has a better situation than the two aforementioned pitchers though, especially the benefit of less pressure on the team and the benefit of mentors of similar background able to guide him throughout the season.

4. Is Clayton Kershaw still in the plans?

Derek: When Kershaw will make his 2025 debut is up in the air, but I think he will add depth to an already deep rotation. With the injuries to their rotation last season, I favor extra rest from March to July before slimming down the rotation beginning in August. As for the postseason, Kershaw will be a vital piece in their bullpen.

Riley: The Dodgers are not in the business of “doing favors” with team free agents. If they are re-signing someone, they expect that person to contribute. Kershaw needs 32 more strikeouts to reach 3,000. I expect him to get every opportunity to reach it during the regular season. Considering Tyler Glasnow and Dusty May are recovering from major injuries, Sasaki and Yamamoto’s durability questions, and the care they should have with Ohtani, I think there’s actually a decent chance Kersahw can start a playoff game – likely an NLCS game 4 type of game though.

5. Will they extend Dave Roberts?

Derek: The question is when they will extend Dave Roberts, not if. The Dodgers have stuck with Roberts after disappointing postseason exits, with two early exits to division rivals in 2022 and 2023. There is no reason why the Dodgers shouldn’t extend Roberts after winning a World Series. He is the best person to manage this star-studded team.

Riley: Yes. I don’t think there’s a reason not to. He has a great grasp of the clubhouse and feel for the Dodgers during the games. More than any other sport, baseball managers’ “people management” is probably the most important aspect, less so than the “Xs and Os.” With the best roster in baseball, the Dodgers need someone who can handle the player egos, emotions, and everything else, especially with the ups and downs of a baseball season and the pressure of being the Dodgers. I predict we will get the details of an extension between the opener in Japan and the season opener in America, but wouldn’t be surprised to see it announced in that March 15-17 range.