Time stops for no one, even if you are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have just won back-to-back World Series rings. The Dodgers have already been active this offseason, and most think that their recent activity may be a prelude to something much bigger. However, the team’s moves should not be considered insignificant. What are they, and why does it matter?
The Dodgers Have Made Several Minor Moves This Offseason
A Left-Field Fix?
Ryan Ward was added to the 40-man roster… finally. Ward was set to become a free agent this year, and ultimately forced the Dodgers’ hand. The Pacific Coast League Player of the Year led the minor leagues with 36 homers. In addition, he had a batting average of .290, which shows he has the makings of a complete hitter. He had 122 runs batted in, which is the most in the PCL in 15 years, and Ward had the most total bases in the league in almost 25 years.
Given the mediocre offensive production of the Los Angeles corner outfielders, it is a wonder why it took so long to pull the trigger. Ward’s drawback has always been his glove. However, watching Teoscar Hernández and Michael Conforto had Dodger fans holding their breath for most of the year. Los Angeles is near the top of the majors every year with their execution on the field. However, they were rated in the middle of the pack last year in defensive efficiency. The word is, Ward has improved his glove work. Now, he finally has a chance to prove it.
Off-Limits
The Rule 5 Draft is fast approaching. The Dodgers, who have always been known for their pitching depth, took preventive action. They added left-handed reliever Ronan Kopp. Kopp had a 3.43 ERA between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025. He had a 14.2 strikeout rate per nine innings. That stat puts him in the 97th percentile in strikeout rate in the minor leagues.
Kopp did have a high walk rate of 6.6 per nine innings. However, the Dodgers have proven they can live with that, given the lethal stuff he possesses. The ability to miss bats with his repertoire gives him the potential to become a high-leverage weapon out of the pen at the big-league level next season. Ironically, the last reliever the Dodgers protected from the Rule 5 draft was Jack Dreyer, who has been a pivotal piece of the relief corps. Los Angeles is hoping history repeats itself.
How Will He Fit?
The Dodgers recently signed reliever Antoine Kelly to a minor-league contract. The second-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers had been in the Colorado Rockies organization at the end of the 2025 season before electing free agency. Kelly struggled with his control the past two years, including an ERA of 9.35 in 2024. The former standout did have a significant injury in 2023. The Dodgers are betting that the reliever can regain his form from before being sidelined. A former starter, Kelly had an ERA of 2.00. This is a classic Andrew Friedman bargain basement move. It is a low-risk, high-reward signing, and who knows if it will work out?
This is reminiscent of a trade the Dodgers made with the Seattle Mariners mid-season for a right-handed reliever with a high ERA. His name is Will Klein. Without Klein and his pivotal relief appearance in game three of the World Series, Los Angeles does not win the game, much less the Fall Classic.
Will Klein should never have to buy a beer in Los Angeles again
HERO pic.twitter.com/6DJLIejl6I
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) October 28, 2025
Under-the-radar players can make the biggest difference; the Dodgers proved that in 2025. Will these offseason moves prove the same for the 2026 Dodgers?
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