PHOENIX — Because the Dodgers formally opened spring coaching at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday, reminders of the group’s 2024 World Collection title have been all over the place.
On the aspect of the hitting facility constructing, a banner had been added to the seven different championship markers. On a grass hill behind one of many backfields, a big portray of the membership’s World Collection championship emblem loomed behind the backstop. That very same emblem was plastered across the clubhouse too, printed on nameplates adorning each locker.
“It’s somewhat little bit of a reduction we bought over the hump,” third baseman Max Muncy stated of the membership’s second title in 5 years and first in a full season since 1988.
“It’s an thrilling time to be a part of this group,” veteran catcher Austin Barnes echoed.
But, as pitchers and catchers reported for his or her first exercise of camp — alongside a majority of different place gamers who arrived early to the coaching facility — indicators of change have been evident too.
The group’s six new signings have been getting acquainted with their new environment, representing the impactful offseason modifications (and, the Dodgers hope, upgrades) the entrance workplace made throughout a $500-million spending spree.
Returning gamers, in the meantime, have been firmly trying ahead as effectively, making an attempt to maintain the reminiscences of final October’s postseason run up to now as they embarked upon a championship protection.
“We are able to’t preserve serious about being champions once more,” shortstop Mookie Betts stated. “We haven’t even performed Sport 1. We now have to care for spring coaching after which when Sport 1 comes, then Sport 1 comes. However we will’t preserve speaking concerning the World Collection.”
This has been a typical chorus from the Dodgers all through the offseason. On multiple event, membership brass and gamers insisted that for all that final yr’s group achieved, this squad must type its personal identification and create a brand new clubhouse tradition.
“What’s up to now is up to now,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández stated at his January press convention after re-signing with the group. “We’re not gonna take into consideration what we did the yr earlier than. We bought our minds clear with what we will do.”
“I actually don’t suppose you possibly can take something from final yr and count on it to hold over to the beginning of the season,” veteran utilit yman Chris Taylor echoed on the DodgerFest fan occasion. “We now have new faces. It’s a brand new group. It’s gonna be a brand new identification.”
Muncy stated he hopes to in the future look again at this group as the most effective in latest historical past. Infielder Miguel Rojas stated he believes an unprecedented 120-win season is feasible.
“When [ownership] went on the market and bought all these free brokers and re-signed guys, they despatched us a message,” Rojas stated. “Like, ‘We’re not simply blissful successful one championship. We wish to do extra. That’s why we’re going to place the strain on you guys to develop and ship one other championship right here. We gave you the items it’s worthwhile to make one other nice run.’”
Within the quick time period, although, the Dodgers’ main focus is on resetting mentally after the highs of final yr’s title, and utilizing this spring to construct a brand new basis for a new-look roster as soon as once more dealing with World Collection-or-bust expectations.
“We’re hungrier than ever,” Muncy stated. “We’ve had guys out right here for nearly two weeks engaged on floor balls, going full bore. We’re not making an attempt to let up in any respect.”
The Dodgers have some questions to handle this spring.
Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman nonetheless are working their manner again from offseason surgical procedures, although each are anticipated to be within the lineup on opening day subsequent month. Ohtani, who is also coming again as a pitcher from a 2023 Tommy John revision surgical procedure, doubtless received’t be able to pitch by then, however was enjoying catch Tuesday and is scheduled to start ramping up off a mound once more within the coming weeks.
Defensively, Betts is continuous his transfer again to shortstop on a full-time foundation and earned reward from Muncy and Rojas for the progress he has made.
The hierarchy of the reshaped beginning pitching workers can be one other storyline to observe. New signings Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki will battle returning frontline arms Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow for opening-day honors. Dustin Could and Tony Gonsolin, in the meantime, are again after lacking final season due to elbow surgical procedures and are slated to spherical out the season-opening rotation.
If the Dodgers could make all these shifting items match collectively, they need to have greater than sufficient firepower to return to the postseason and make a bid at turning into MLB’s first repeat champion in a quarter-century.
However first, the group must shake off its World Collection hangover and begin anew in a season wherein something lower than one other title will really feel like a failure.
“Guys know that there’s solely a lot celebrating you are able to do within the offseason, particularly when we have now to indicate up so shortly,” Muncy stated. “You bought to ensure you get your physique proper, reset it, get wholesome, and present up able to go for spring. And I believe from what I’ve seen to this point, we’ve executed a fairly good job.”