Just because the offseason has been relatively slow for the Dodgers compared to the past two offseasons, that doesn’t mean the team doesn’t possess an unruly and tyrannical force upon baseball.
Edwin Díaz has been the only major splurge this offseason as a needs to address the Dodgers’ bullpen issues, but when it comes to the starting rotation, it is the least concerning of issues. With young arms such as Gavin Stone and River Ryan set to make their returns in 2026, the Dave Roberts is hopeful that they will both be contributing pieces to what is already a behemoth of a starting pitching staff, writes Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Considering they weren’t able to play a hand in the Dodgers’ two previous title runs, Chen notes that it might fuel them to feel a sense of urgency.
“I’m excited for River. I’m excited for Gavin,” manager Dave Roberts said at the Winter Meetings. “Because to see your teammates celebrate and go through what we went through and not be able to participate, those are things that we’re all betting on for that extra hunger to kind of make their impact in 2026.”
Joe Kelly will no longer be a big league pitcher, but don’t call him retired. That’s what he implied when speaking on Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, and stated that the title of retired doesn’t sit right when discussing the end of an active playing career.
Retiring is something my grandmother did. That’s so disrespectful. I’m sorry to all you out there watching that work real jobs— you guys deserve to retire— but athletes don’t. We just stop f****** playing. It’s used for people who served in the military, it’s used for people who work until they’re 65.“
Clayton Kershaw will be gearing up for his new occupation; being a full-time father without the grind of Major League Baseball coming as a priority. He and his wife, Ellen, announced on Clayton’s Instagram that they have welcomed their new child, a daughter named Chloe.