With Spring Training kicking off, baseball season is just around the corner! For the Dodgers, that means a fresh start, an upgraded roster, and another shot at greatness.
This season, the Dodgers have made some big moves by adding incredible talent to their team. Giving baseball fans all around the world something to look forward to. New pitchers Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Kirby Yates, and Tanner Scott are ready to fire up the season, while outfielder Michael Conforto adds even more depth to the lineup.
One of the most talked about additions is Roki Sasaki, a young pitcher from Japan who’s already making multiple headlines. The baseball industry and fans are calling him one of the most promising pitching prospects, right alongside his fellow Japanese teammates, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Sasaki is known for his amazing fastball and incredible control which have many believing that he could be a game changer for the Dodgers this season.
The young pitcher is fitting perfectly into the team, displaying a tight bond with his teammates.
“Sasaki, Shohei, and Yama, they’re all really good friends and it’s so cute seeing them all be buddies,” said Sofia Hernandez, a junior at Mt. SAC Early College Academy (MECA). Sasaki adding on to the fun and helping brighten up the team’s atmosphere, showing off good chemistry with his old time friends.
Adding on about the team’s newest additions, a big surprise for fans was when Blake Snell got signed. He has a well known history of shutting down the Dodgers with his dominant performances. Now, instead of facing his deadly fastball and other crazy pitches, the Dodger hitters get to watch him throw from their very own dugout. With Snell now on their side, Dodger fans are curious to see how he performs in Dodger blue.
More talk on the newest players, Hyeseong Kim, has been sent down to the minor leagues on Tuesday, March 12, 2025. He won’t be travelling with the team to Tokyo, but he’ll be starting the season with the Oklahoma City Comets. As he continues to make progress and adjust more to his new enviornment, fans will be patiently waiting for the future star’s return to the major leagues.
Diving even further into the roster, the Dodgers didn’t just bring in new talent this offseason, they also made sure to bring back some familiar faces. The team re-signed Clayton Kershaw, Kiké Hernández, Teoscar Hernández, and Blake Treinen, keeping some key veterans in Dodger blue for another year.
For many fans, Kershaw’s return is a surprising and emotional one. Many thought that he would retire, expecting the previous year’s season to be his last. The legendary lefty has spent his entire career with the Dodgers, becoming one of the greatest pitchers in franchise history.
After battling injuries and getting older, many expect that this could be his final season. If it is, it would mark the end of an incredible era for both Kershaw and the team.
“I’m sure Kershaw is going to retire with the Dodgers,” says Hernandez.
Kiké Hernández is also back, bringing his fun energy, talent, and clutch hitting to the team. He’s been a fan favorite for years, known for stepping up in big moments and his hilarious personality.
Jared Jimenez, a junior, explains, “What I was really excited for and was hoping that he would return is Kiké. He was really special during the playoffs.”
Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernández returns as a powerful bat in the outfield, giving the lineup even more depth. Blake Treinen is back in the bullpen, hoping to reclaim his role as one of the team’s most reliable relief pitchers.
With these returning players, the Dodgers are balancing their new superstars with experienced veterans who know what it takes to win in LA. And if this really is Kershaw’s last run, fans are hoping it ends with him hoisting one more World Series trophy.
But along with both the new and returning players to their roster, they’ve also had to say goodbye and let go of a few players and staff members.
First base coach Clayton McCullough is stepping into a new role as the manager of the Miami Marlins, a big opportunity for him after years of coaching in LA. On the pitching side, Walker Buehler has moved on after being a key part of the rotation and closing off the 2024 World Series with his striking pitch.
The Dodgers let go of Jack Flaherty after a short year with him and he’s now signed with the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, Gavin Lux, who was expected to be a major part of the infield, is no longer with the team but now with the Cincinnati Reds.
Current free agent, Joe Kelly, has many wondering where he’ll go. Some fans wonder if the Dodgers will try to sign him again or if another team might try to strike a deal. There’s also talk about the possible chance that the star athlete might retire after sitting out for a period of time due to his right shoulder injury that happened last September.
So far, the 2025 Dodgers are looking like one of the most stacked teams in MLB history, both in talent and in cost. With a payroll of $321,043,853, they have the highest payroll in the league.
PE Teacher, Matt Johnson, shares, “I just don’t see anybody really being able to compete with them on paper at this point.”
The team went all in this offseason, spending big to bring in stars like Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell adding even more power to an already loaded roster.
One of the biggest things this season is Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound. After spending last season as a designated hitter while recovering from his shoulder injury, he’s finally back to pitching. Fans are beyond excited to see him perform on both sides of the game again.
“The biggest news is that Ohtani’s pitching this year. So everyone’s scared because Ohtani can both bat and pitch. So that’s very scary for every team in the league,” explains Spanish Teacher Johan Cordero.
Ohtani has already proven himself as one of the best hitters in baseball, but now that he’s fully healthy, his return as a two way player makes the Dodgers even more dangerous.
With all these monster players on the roster, many people believe the Dodgers are the clear favorites to win the World Series once again. Now, with one of the most expensive and talented teams ever assembled, fans and analysts are predicting that this is the year they take home another championship.
Of course, baseball is unpredictable, and anything can happen over a long season. But with a powerhouse lineup, elite pitching, and Ohtani back on the mound, the Dodgers aren’t just aiming for a great season, they’re aiming for another ring.
