#los-angeles-dodgers

#los-angeles-dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers currently possess the most talented roster in the sport. It's a loaded group featuring accomplished veterans, superstars in their proverbial primes, and up-and-coming talents. In terms of an all-time classification, greatness individually speaking is often categorized by a possible induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. When looking at this current group, recently retired Clayton Kershaw is essentially a lock to be a first-ballot inductee in Cooperstown.

Will Smith was a first-round pick by the Dodgers in the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Louisville and signed on July 17, 2016. He spent parts of four seasons working his way up through the Dodgers' farm system and was eventually promoted to the Majors on May 27, 2019, to replace the injured Austin Barnes. Smith made a good first impression, hitting .269/.345/.654 in 26 at-bats during his first two months in the Majors.

The Dodgers drafted Cody Bellinger in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, and as a prospect, he helped the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes to a Cal League championship while winning the series MVP. That helped put Bellinger on the map as he developed into one of the top prospects in baseball before making his MLB debut during the 2017 season.

The right-hander began his pro career this past season after being signed by the Marlins during the 2024-2025 international signing period out of Cienfuegos, Cuba. Marrero pitched 33 innings in the Dominican Summer League, allowing 14 earned runs (3.82 ERA) on 32 hits with 35 strikeouts and 12 walks. He appeared in 10 games, all of them starts.

Ruiz only appeared in 19 games for the Dodgers this past season, batting .190/.261/.333 with one home run, two RBI, two runs scored, four stolen bases and a 67 wRC+ across 23 plate appearances. Once a former top prospect, Ruiz has appeared in 197 games over parts of four seasons. He's spent time with the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers in addition to the Athletics and Dodgers.

The MLB offseason slowed down in recent weeks after a few big name free agents were taken off the board, including the best closer in baseball: Edwin Diaz. Since the Dodgers signed Diaz to a three-year, $69 million deal, the defending champions have been quiet as have most other teams around the league. Things are expected to pick up as 2026 begins, and the Dodgers have continued their offseason moves by trading Ruiz.

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished second in a poll from The Athletic to decide which team had the best front office in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

The competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold continued its growth for the 2025 MLB season with a new high of $241 million, but the Dodgers far surpassed it with a payroll of $417.3 million. The Dodgers were hit with additional surcharges as a result of going over the luxury tax threshold for at least three straight seasons and their total over the CBT threshold.

The 31-year-old made one appearance for the Dodgers in MLB, logging a single at-bat in September. Robinson came up to the roster during the Dodgers' minor injury crisis at catcher last season, during which Will Smith and Dalton Rushing both landed on the injured list within a week of each other. He served as Ben Rortvedt's backup during that time.

On July 31, 2008, the Dodgers acquired one of the most-feared hitters in baseball, Manny Ramirez, in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. The deal proved to be one of the most impactful short-term acquisitions in franchise history and ignited the fanbase. Ramirez went 2-for-4 in his first game with the Dodgers, and had another 2-for-4 effort the following day while slugging his first home run with the team. In his first month with the Dodgers, Ramirez was named National League Player of the Month after hitting .444 (44-for-106) with seven doubles, nine home runs, 25 RBI and 21 runs scored. Ramirez, who had long been known for his on-field antics and elite bat, quickly endeared himself to Dodgers fans, and the area in left field became known as "Mannywood."

The Dodgers originally acquired Gary Sheffield, along with Manuel Barrios, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenreich and Charles Johnson, in the blockbuster trade that sent Mike Piazza and Todd Zeile to the Florida Marlins on May 14, 1998. Sheffield helped mitigate some of the sting that came with the Dodgers trading a fan-favorite in Piazza as he immediately became one of the team's most productive bats.

I think that was the way the Yankees were. When I was growing up, the Yankees were the best team, in the World Series and winning all those. But I think that's good for baseball. I really do. Having a team that you either love, because that's your team, or you hate because they keep winning, that's good for baseball.