Shortly after the Dodgers secured their first ever back-to-back World Series victory, the players were already talking of another World Championship; seemingly, three-peat is the unofficial mantra for 2026.
(Ron Cervenka)
Three-peat isn’t a euphoric fantasy for the Dodgers, this is a team with an incomparable core group of returning stars: shortstop Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, the unicorn Shohei Ohtani, catcher Will Smith, and starting pitchers Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. And, they are supported by a talented group of position players, pitchers, and an incredibly deep farm system which makes future World Championships well within their grasp.
(Getty Images)
Nonetheless, there is work to be done to retool the roster over the next three months.
The bullpen, which was thought to be a strength going into the season, mostly disappointed. Right fielder Teoscar Hernández and left fielder Michael Conforto were statistically amongst the worst fielders in MLB.
By position, we consider what actions Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman will address during the 2026 Hot Stove season.
Catcher Will Smith is an All Star who is in the prime of his career (will celebrate his 31st birthday on March 28, 2026). For the 2025 regular season, Smith slashed .296/.404/.497/.901 but a broken bone in his right hand limited him to 110 games. Playing another position, without the wear and tear of catching, Smith would likely be a 30+ home run, 100 RBI, .850 OPS+ threat.
Unfortunately, one of the Dodgers two ready-now back-up catchers, 28-year-old Ben Rortvedt (a glove-first catcher acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays) was snatched up off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds on November 12, 2025. The other, soon-to-be 25-year-old and former Dodgers top catching prospect Dalton Rushing (a bat-first catcher) is a defensive work in progress. It will not be surprising if Rushing competes for the left field position in Spring Training or is included in a trade for help in the outfield.
Look for the Dodgers to sign a veteran back-up catcher for their Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets team.
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