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The Los Angeles Dodgers head into the offseason with a clear theme: somehow get younger, bigger bats into the lineup.
The Dodgers weren’t just eliminated in the postseason; the Milwaukee Brewers, a very good team, swept them.
Their offense struggled to produce with runners in scoring position and get key hits, and it felt inevitable at every turn.
The team did not execute as expected on multiple fronts, with the starting rotation giving up runs they weren’t expected to and the bullpen showing some weak moments.
However, even with more runs allowed than expected, the Dodgers totaled just 11 runs against the Brewers, going 1-for-9 with two outs and runners in scoring position and 4-for-27 with runners in scoring position overall.
The offensive struggles didn’t come from a lack of experience, since the entire lineup has a wealth of experience that dwarfs that of any other lineup in the league.
The Dodgers fought hard at each at-bat, worked counts well, and used their savvy to good effect, but when it came time to deliver the crushing, or critical, hit, it never came.
Many have long blamed the Dodgers’ loss on a lack of small ball, not shortening up, laying down bunts, or winning with speed, but the real cause was the Dodgers’ lack of hard contact.
In fact, most of the offense came on sacrifice flyouts and contact that led to defensive mistakes. The Dodgers hit just one home run and slugged just .250, compared to Milwaukee’s .445.
The Brewers scored runs thanks to their slugging, hitting balls hard for extra bases often, while, yes, mixing in their speed on the bases.
The Dodgers were among the slowest teams in the league, and that is a notable weakness and part of their age, but the best way to overcome it is with timely hard hits or home runs, neither of which came.
Looking forward, the solution to the Dodgers’ current problem is to take advantage of their newfound window to rebuild their lineup.
There is no title to defend or need to “run things back.” They can make palpable changes by adding high-bat-speed, hard-hitting batters while keeping some of their veteran core.
Miguel Rojas is retiring, opening a slot, while Teoscar Hernandez is in the last year of his deal, making him available to be dealt.
Tommy Edman at second base is another spot where the Dodgers can meaningfully improve offensively by adding speed, power, or both.
Kike Hernandez, a known playoff riser, didn’t step up this postseason, and his departure as a free agent could open the door for another impact hitter.
Josue De Paula, James Tibbs, and Mike Sirota are young bats who can add to the youth movement without spending or trading for an established player.
The Dodgers will have opportunities to get younger and turn the roster over a bit while keeping their locker-room leaders, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Max Muncy.
The time is now for the Dodgers to strike, and this past postseason showed that a reckoning was coming.
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