How the Los Angeles Dodgers were Built

The Los Angeles Dodgers took plenty of criticism during the 2022-23 offseason when they basically stayed out of the free agent market.

However, the Dodgers had a plan and that was to save money for the following winter. And, boy, the Dodgers spent it as they lavished over a billion dollars on two free agents, signing two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani for 10 years and $700 million and right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan for 13 years and $325 million.

The plan worked as Ohtani become the first 50-50 player in MLB history and the Dodgers had the best record in the major leagues during the regular season at 98-64. They beat the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series and will play the New York Yankees in the World Series, which begins Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Yesterday, we looked at how the Yankees were built.

Ohtani and Yamamoto were two of eight free agents who were on the Dodgers’ roster for the NLDS. The others: third baseman Max Muncy (2017), relievers Blake Treinen (2019-20 offseason) and Daniel Hudson (2021-22 offseason), first baseman Freddie Freeman (2022-23 offseason), reliever Ryan Brasier (2023) and left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (2023-24 offseason).

Muncy is particularly notable as the Dodgers signed him after he was designated for assignment by the Oakland Athletics. He has since hit 195 home runs and been selected to two All-Star Games.

Despite having one of the most-respected player development systems in baseball, the Dodgers have just seven homegrown players.

Topping that list are three first-round picks – right-hander Walker Buehler (2015), catcher Will Smith (2016) and second baseman Gavin Lux (2016). However, those players were drafted at least eight years ago.

Smith continues to be one of the better offensive catchers in the game this year, hitting .248/.327/.433 with 20 home runs in 128 regular-season games. Lux was solid as he posted a .251/.320/.383 slash line in 139 games while belting 10 homers.

Buehler pitched four scoreless innings in his lone NLCS start and is expected to pitch Game 3 in the World Series – setting him up for a potential start in Game 7. However, Buehler struggled during the regular season while returning from his Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery as he had a 1-6 record and 5.38 ERA in 16 starts.

The Dodgers signed Smith to a 10-year, $240-million contract this year that extends through 2033. Buehler’s future is uncertain as he will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. The Dodgers have three more years of contractual control on Lux.

Two Dodgers’ two other drafted players are rookies who have been part of a bullpen that has been outstanding in the postseason – Brandon Knack (second round, 20020) and Ben Casparius (fifth round, 2021).

Two players signed as international amateur free agents in 2018 were also on the NLCS roster – right-handed hitting platoon outfielder Andy Pages (Dominican Republic after defecting from Cuba) and reliever Edgardo Henriquez (Venezuela).

Eight Dodgers players were acquired in trades, including right-hander Jack Flaherty (Tigers), shortstop Tommy Edman (Cardinals),

reliever Michel Kopech (White Sox) and backup center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (Blue Jays) at this year’s deadline. Edman was MVP of the NLCS and Flaherty will start Game 1 on Friday night.

Backup catcher Austin Barnes (Marlins, 2014-15), infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor (Mariners, 2017), right fielder Mookie Betts (Red Sox, 2019-20 offseason) and center fielder Kike Hernandez (Red Sox, 2023) were also acquired in trades.

Despite their $266-million payroll being the third-largest in the major leagues this season, the Dodgers have been successful at finding relievers cheaply on the margins.

Evan Phillips was claimed off waivers from the Rays in 2021. This season, the Dodgers purchased left-hander Anthony Banda from the Guardians’ Triple-A roster and claimed Brent Honeywell from the Pirates.