The Dodgers Have a SERIOUS Problem…| LA Dodgers News
The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been considered one of the most successful and well-run franchises in Major League Baseball. With a rich history, an impressive roster, and an unrelenting commitment to winning, the team has been the gold standard for consistency. Yet, as the 2024 season draws to a close, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Dodgers are facing a serious problem—one that could jeopardize their championship aspirations in the near future. Despite their long history of success and their dominance in the National League, the Dodgers’ current roster and front-office decisions are raising questions that can’t be ignored.
The Postseason Struggles
The most glaring issue for the Dodgers has been their inability to win the big one when it matters most. Since their 2020 World Series title, the team has dominated the regular season year after year, but they’ve failed to make it back to the Fall Classic. Despite having a roster stacked with talent, the Dodgers have repeatedly faltered in the postseason, losing in heartbreaking fashion. Whether it was their 2021 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS or their early exits in 2022 and 2023, the postseason has exposed some serious flaws in the team’s construction.
Underperforming Stars
While it’s unfair to say that the Dodgers’ star players have been the sole reason for their playoff failures, some of their biggest names have consistently underperformed when the stakes are highest. Take Mookie Betts, for example. Betts, who has been a transformational figure for the Dodgers since his arrival in 2020, has been nothing short of spectacular during the regular season. But when the postseason rolls around, his performance has been inconsistent at best.
In 2021, Betts posted a .255 batting average in the NLCS, failing to make a major impact in a series the Dodgers ultimately lost. In 2022, his performance wasn’t much better, as he struggled to produce in the Division Series loss to the San Diego Padres. As the team’s most high-profile player, many had expected Betts to be the spark that would drive the Dodgers back to a World Series, but his inability to elevate his game when it counts has been a cause for concern.
Freddie Freeman, another major acquisition, has similarly seen his postseason performances fall short of expectations. Despite his regular-season dominance and MVP-caliber performances, Freeman has struggled to deliver in high-pressure moments. In the 2023 postseason, he had a strong start in the Division Series but failed to keep the momentum going in later rounds, contributing to the Dodgers’ early exit.
This is not to say that these players are bad or have failed the team—they are, without a doubt, some of the best in baseball. But the fact remains that, in the most critical moments of the year, the Dodgers’ stars have sometimes failed to deliver when it’s needed most. This raises the question: is there something about the team’s approach to the postseason, or perhaps its reliance on certain players, that’s preventing them from succeeding?
The Kershaw Conundrum
Perhaps no player embodies the Dodgers’ postseason struggles more than Clayton Kershaw. One of the best pitchers of his generation, Kershaw has been the face of the Dodgers for over a decade. His regular-season numbers are incredible, with an ERA under 3.00 in the majority of seasons since his debut. However, in the postseason, Kershaw’s performances have often been far from what is expected from a future Hall of Famer.
Despite his historic regular-season success, Kershaw’s playoff struggles have become legendary. Whether it was his rough outings in the 2013 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals or his less-than-stellar appearances in subsequent years, Kershaw has often been the focal point of Dodgers fans’ frustrations during postseason failures. Yes, he finally broke through with a World Series title in 2020, but his performance that year was not without its own setbacks, including being pulled from the Game 5 clincher after just four innings.
Now, as Kershaw is in the twilight years of his career, the team faces a dilemma: Can they continue to count on him in high-leverage situations, or has his time as an elite postseason performer passed? With other potential aces like Julio Urías and Dustin May struggling to stay healthy, the Dodgers’ pitching depth has become a serious concern heading into 2025.
The Pitching Problem
Speaking of pitching depth, this is arguably the biggest issue the Dodgers face heading into the future. While the team has been known for its strong pitching staffs over the years, the current state of their rotation and bullpen is far from reassuring.
The Dodgers have several pitchers who have been unable to stay healthy, including Walker Buehler, who has missed most of the last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. The loss of Buehler, a potential ace, has been a significant blow to the rotation. In addition, Dustin May has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been prone to injuries, raising questions about his reliability moving forward. Tony Gonsolin, a fan favorite, has also dealt with injury problems, and his performance in 2024 has been inconsistent, leaving a lot to be desired from someone expected to provide stability in the rotation.
In the bullpen, the Dodgers have had issues as well. While closer Evan Phillips has been solid, the rest of the bullpen has been inconsistent, especially in high-pressure moments. Injuries to key relievers like Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson have forced the team to rely on younger, unproven arms, making the bullpen a major question mark going into the postseason.
The lack of depth and health concerns in the pitching staff have left the Dodgers vulnerable. In a postseason series, where every game is critical, a lack of reliable pitching could spell disaster, especially when competing against teams with ace-caliber pitchers like the Braves, Mets, or Astros.
The Front Office Dilemma: A Changing Approach?
While the Dodgers have generally been known for their analytical approach and deep pockets, there’s an increasing sense that the front office’s strategy may be shifting in ways that could complicate their future. The team has a rich farm system, and players like Miguel Vargas and James Outman have shown promise as key contributors. However, the team has been reluctant to make bold moves that could push them over the top in recent years. This has left the roster somewhat unbalanced.
Take the Dodgers’ handling of the trade deadline in 2024, for instance. While they made some minor moves, they failed to acquire the high-end starting pitcher or impactful bullpen arm that many analysts felt they desperately needed. By standing pat, the front office gave the sense that they were overly reliant on internal development and the potential return of injured players, which has backfired. It’s possible the team’s commitment to staying under the luxury tax threshold could be limiting their ability to improve the roster in a meaningful way.
The Youth Movement vs. Championship Window
Another issue facing the Dodgers is the tension between maintaining a championship window and integrating younger talent into the mix. The team is known for developing talent and integrating young players into the major-league roster. But as the team faces increasing competition from clubs like the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres, there’s a growing realization that the Dodgers may need to double down on veteran talent if they are to remain championship contenders.
While Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor have been solid contributors, they are not necessarily the impact players that can carry a postseason series. Miguel Vargas and James Outman are expected to be cornerstones of the team in the coming years, but they aren’t quite ready to carry the franchise on their own. The Dodgers are caught in a dilemma: do they continue to rely on these young players, or do they trade some of their prospects to bring in immediate help?
With many of their key stars—like Betts, Freeman, and Kershaw—not getting any younger, the Dodgers can’t afford to let this championship window slip away. They may need to make a series of bold moves, whether that’s re-signing or trading veterans, to balance out the roster and make a true World Series push.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The Dodgers’ current problem is multifaceted, involving underperforming stars, a pitching staff that lacks depth, a bullpen that is unreliable, and an uncertain approach from the front office. With a championship window that may be closing, the front office needs to make hard decisions about the team’s direction moving forward.
It’s clear that the Dodgers can’t afford to continue relying solely on the same formula that has worked for them in the regular season but failed in the postseason. They need to address their pitching woes, make some bold moves in the trade market, and ensure that their star players rise to the occasion when the lights are brightest.
As the 2025 season looms, the Dodgers face some tough questions. The future of this team—whether they remain contenders or fall short once again—depends on how they respond to the challenges at hand. One thing is certain: the pressure is on, and the Dodgers can no longer afford to rest on their laurels.
