One of the biggest focuses for the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason is figuring out how to supplement their aging roster after falling short of a potential three-peat in 2026.
The Dodgers’ lineup showed its age during the postseason as they struggled to find any sort of offensive consistency, so trying to get younger and finding other ways to score runs should be right at the top of their to-do list.
Some have speculated that the team could bolster their offense with a blockbuster trade for the Washington Nationals’ CJ Abrams or Cincinnati Reds All-Star Elly De La Cruz. However, L.A. is also optimistic about their next wave of outfield prospects being able to contribute in the near future, via Jim Bowden of The Athletic.
Taking a big swing to try to trade for the Nationals’ Abrams or the Reds’ De La Cruz also would make a lot of sense for them. That said, they feel several of their top prospects, such as outfielders Josue De Paula, Mike Sirota and Eduardo Quintero, are getting closer to being major-league ready.
The Dodgers saw a glimpse of their future when Josue De Paula made an impact during the month of September after he was called up directly from Double-A Tulsa for his MLB debut.
De Paula could potentially have an expanded role with the Dodgers next season as a corner outfielder, but playing time won’t come easy with Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages and Kyle Tucker all locked into starting spots.
That could become even more problematic down the stretch, as fellow top outfield prospects Eduardo Quintero, Mike Sirota, Charles Davalan and James Tibbs III loom. However, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is confident that the team’s logjam will work itself out.
“We have a really talented group of outfielders coming through our Minor League system,” Friedman noted. “There have been times where we haven’t. We also have a lot of really talented infielders coming as well. But for us it’s just about having as many talented players as we can, and things tend to sort themselves out.”
How can Dodgers make room for prospects?
If the Dodgers want to improve from within next season, their best course of action might be trading Hernández, whose value has diminished somewhat with back-to-back inconsistent seasons at the plate and defensive struggles in left field.
L.A. could also find playing time for their next wave of prospects by using them at other positions, with versatility always being an emphasis when the team constructs its roster.