After winning 100 games in 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be watching the rest of the MLB Postseason at home. The Arizona Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers in the NLDS.
To say this season was a disappointment for the fans in La-La Land would be an understatement. The Dodgers have grossly underperformed the past few seasons, and there may be some big changes coming in the next couple months.
The Dodgers have a number of free agents to be, and not all of them are likely to return in 2024. In fact, few, if any, will be back in Dodger blue next season. Which four Dodgers players are likely waving goodbye to Hollywood, and where might they sign?
4. Outfielder David Peralta won't be back with the Dodgers in 2024
In all likelihood, left fielder David Peralta has played his last game for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Peralta's former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, are the ones responsible for sweeping the Dodgers right out of the playoffs.
Perlata played a very minor role for the Dodgers in 2023. Snagging fewer than 400 at-bats and posting an OPS below .700, Peralta's contributions will be easily replaceable next season.
But where the left-handed hitting outfield find a home next season. At 36 years old, there is unlikely to be a line of team looking to throw money at the former Gold Glove Award-winner.
But a team chock-full of young talent may be looking to bring on a veteran who can be a leader in the clubhouse and serviceable on the diamond.
Look for the Baltimore Orioles to make a run at David Peralta during the offseason. After being swept out of the playoffs themselves, perhaps the O's will be in the market for a veteran outfielder to bring some leadership to their young core.
3. Pitcher Julio Urias won't be back with the Dodgers in 2024
This is a mess. Julio Urias was arrested on domestic violence charges earlier this season and is currently on leave from the Los Angeles Dodgers. While all the facts in the case have yet to come to light, the Dodgers seem unlikely to re-sign their No. 1 starter during the offseason.
The Dodgers definitely missed Urias in their rotation down the stretch and in the postseason. The left-hander was far from himself in 2023, but his absence forced the Dodgers to dig deep for pitching talent, and in the end, LA didn't have enough depth.
Urias' locker was already removed from Dodger Stadium after his arrest, so there's virtually no chance that the southpaw will be re-signed this winter. In fact, it's debatable as to whether or not any team would take a flier on Urias at this point.
Julio Urias would've been one of the most sought after pitchers on the free agent market this offseason, but with this shroud of off-the-field issues now surrounding the 27-year-old, it's fair to assume that he'll remain a free agent until Major League Baseball concludes their investigation of the legal process plays out.
2. Outfielder Kiké Hernandez won't be back with the Dodgers in 2024
Kiké Hernandez returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this season after opening the year with the Boston Red Sox. After a horrible start to the season in Beantown, Hernandez's 2023 campagn turned around quite a bit after arriving back in the LA.
Hernandez saw his OPS jump over 100 points after re-joining the Dodgers this season. Hernandez also brings a great deal of defensive versatility to any ball club. The 32-year-old played every position except for catcher this season.
it just seems as though Hernandez is unlikely to return to the Dodgers next season. With James Outman showing tremendous potential in the outfield, and LA likely looking to get a little younger this winter, Hernandez's time with the Dodgers may be up.
Is there a team out there that actually makes sense for Kiké Hernandez? I don't know of too many GMs or managers that would look at player with Hernandez's resumé and unique skillset and say, no thanks.
Hernandez feels like the perfect fit for the Tampa Bay Rays. After getting bounced in the Wild Card Series this year, Tampa Bay will need to make some small acquistions in free agency, and Hernandez is unlikely to cost an arm and leg.
1. Pitcher Clayton Kershaw won't be back with the Dodgers in 2024
While it's definitely not the way you want to go out, Clayton Kershaw may have no choice. A surefire, first-ballot Hall of Famer, Kershaw may have thrown his last pitch in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.
By his lofty standards, Kershaw had a good, but not great season. Appearing in 24 games, Kershaw posted a 2.46 ERA and 1.063 WHIP, while also being elected to his 10th All-Star team.
Unfortunately for Kershaw, his last start in LA may have been a clunker. The left-hander couldn't get out of the first inning after the Arizona Diamondbacks ambushed Kershaw for six earned runs in Game 1 of the NLDS and chased the veteran after just one-third of an inning.
Clayton Kershaw's resumé speaks for itself. A former MVP, three-time NL Cy Younf Award-winner, and a World Series title. There's really nothing left for Kershaw to accomplish - especially if his health is a concern.
More than likely, if Clayton Kershaw doesn't return to Los Angeles next season, it'll be because he retired from the game of baseball. However, there's a small chance that Kershaw could join Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom in Texas next season.
