Four hot topics to watch with the 2024 Dodgers

With a month and a half left before pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch in February, the Los Angeles team continues to look for ways to strengthen its roster. The expectation to win is, in some ways, higher than ever, and the Dodgers can add other pieces to prepare to challenge for a World Series title next season and beyond.

Here, four topics to keep in mind and observe regarding the Dodgers heading into 2024.

The biggest questions to solve before spring training

Are the Dodgers finished adding arms to the rotation?

Yamamoto and Glasnow have combined with Bobby Miller to form a strong 1-2-3 start, but with Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May recovering from surgery, the Dodgers need to add more depth, especially debuting Given mixed results among the possibilities. In the last season.

That doesn’t necessarily mean they need another ace, and there are plenty of solid options left on the free agent market. But could their conversations about the two candidates, Corbyn Burns and Dylan Cease, prove fruitful?

Players ready for revelation season

A series of injuries weakening the Dodgers’ rotation forced Miller to return to the majors earlier than expected in 2023, and he responded with a historically good start to his career. His overall numbers were also quite solid, as he posted a 3.76 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 22 starts. Now with some big league experience, 2024 could be big for a former top 100 prospect with a 100 mph fastball.

Likely to follow in 2024

With MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 form and five players in the top 100, you really can’t go wrong after any of the top Dodgers prospects. We’re going with Nick Froso (No. 4 to the Dodgers, No. 65 overall), projected to make his major league debut next season after reaching Triple-A in 2023. Equipped with a fastball that reached 100 mph, Froso has served exceptionally well as a starter at the professional level. However, in his three minor league seasons, he has pitched six complete innings in a game only once. Although the rotation may still be in his future, it’s easy to imagine him breaking into the Dodgers’ roster as a dynamic reliever at some point.

A forecast for the new year

Dodger Stadium will be more electric than ever.

It’s true that the Dodgers have had great seasons over the last decade. They fill stadiums year after year and continue to reach the postseason. Star power is nothing new to him. But they’ve never had a $700 million guy on their roster. Ohtani draws crowds wherever he goes, so imagine the energy he will generate when he steps to the plate for the first time in a Dodgers uniform. (And, by the way, when he pitched for the first time at Chavez Ravine after recovering from elbow surgery.)