During December’s Winter Meetings in Orlando, the Los Angeles Dodgers made it evident that they are doing what it takes to notch a third-straight World Series title by signing Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million deal. 

Díaz — arguably the best closer in baseball — improves one of the Dodgers’ only areas of concern: Late inning relief. He also adds to an already star-studded roster that knows what it takes to win in October. Recently, ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle placed Los Angeles atop his recent list titled “Stock Watch: Midwinter progress report for all 30 MLB clubs.” 

“The Dodgers' offseason has consisted of nabbing a new closer in Edwin Diaz in free agency and then working the edges,” he wrote. “Now you get the feeling they are sitting back, enjoying some fine cigars, coiled like a proverbial snake waiting to strike again when the time is right.” 

“As it stands, L.A. projects to have the No. 2 offense and the top pitching staff, both in the rotation and the bullpen. The Dodgers also have the oldest position player group in the majors and could stand to mix in a little youth and athleticism.” 

According to Doolittle, the Dodgers can achieve the aforementioned traits internally and externally. 

“Both would be accomplished if Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim are ready to seize larger roles. Of course, they would also get a little younger and more athletic if they signed Kyle Tucker and found a taker for Teoscar Hernandez.” 

Freeland had a good 2025 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City; hitting .263 with 16 home runs and 82 RBI’s that were complimented by an .835 OPS. However, his time on the Major League Roster demonstrated a steep decline as he hit just .190 through 29 games. In 84 at-bats, Freeland struck out 35 times. 

Yet, the 24-year-old has plenty of time on his side to improve and brings the youth element Los Angeles could benefit from. Meanwhile, Kim has provided better offensive numbers in a much larger sample size. Last season, the 26-year-old hit .280 in 71 games and 161 at-bats. 

Regardless, an addition of Kyle Tucker would provide an immediate, All-Star level solution for the Dodgers that would likely make critics of the club scowl at the pedigree of the roster. Whatever Los Angeles decides to do with the remainder of the offseason, there is a reason the organization tops Doolittle’s list. 

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