Dodgers bring loaded roster to Spring Training -- but questions as well

This story was excerpted from Sonja Chen’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

As the sun rises on a new year of baseball, the Dodgers are about to see the fruits of another productive offseason.

In a flurry of moves over the past couple of days, the Dodgers brought back two key free agents from their back-to-back champion teams, righty reliever Evan Phillips and utility man Kiké Hernández, and extended third baseman Max Muncy. Earlier in the offseason, they also re-signed infielder Miguel Rojas.

And that's not to mention how they addressed their two largest roster holes -- the bullpen and the outfield -- by signing arguably the best available options for each: closer Edwin Díaz and right fielder Kyle Tucker.

The championship core remains intact, and the infusion of new talent gives the Dodgers an opportunity to ascend to another level of greatness this year. They have a shot at a World Series three-peat, a rare accomplishment in Major League history, last done by the Yankees from 1998-2000.

The Dodgers are coming into this season with many roster questions seemingly resolved, but there is still plenty of intrigue ahead this spring. Here are some of their top storylines to follow during Spring Training:

Snell and Edman's statuses
Heading into spring, the Dodgers have plenty of roster clarity, but both starter Blake Snell and utility man Tommy Edman may not be ready by Opening Day.

After spending much of the last season dealing with discomfort in his left shoulder, Snell slow-played his offseason throwing program and may not be fully ramped up in time for the beginning of the season as a result. The left-hander has made it his goal to be ready for Opening Day, but he acknowledged that rushing to be available in the short term could compromise him in the long term.

Edman is still rehabbing from right ankle surgery earlier in the offseason. He has resumed baseball activities and is not ruling out being ready in time for Opening Day, but like Snell, he spoke to the importance of ramping up the right way in order to heal fully.

If one or both of Snell and Edman begins the season on the IL, that would set up some competitions in camp. The Dodgers have plenty of starting-pitching depth, but replacing Edman is a little less straightforward. A combination of Miguel Rojas and either Hyeseong Kim or Alex Freeland could take over at second base, but a big part of Edman's value is his ability to play the outfield as well. Without Edman, the Dodgers would lack depth behind Andy Pages in center field, which would perhaps open the door for defensive specialist Michael Siani to make the Opening Day roster.

A mightier 'pen
Last year, the Dodgers' bullpen was a constant source of stress. This year, it will look a little different with Díaz anchoring the back end.

With Díaz locking down the ninth inning, left-hander Tanner Scott -- who struggled in his first year as a Dodger -- should shift to a setup role. The same goes for right-hander Blake Treinen, who also had a rough 2025 season. L.A. is also getting righty Brusdar Graterol back after a year-long absence, which should help their right-on-right approach.

Aside from the locks -- Díaz, Scott, Treinen, Graterol and Alex Vesia -- there should be some competition in the 'pen. They already eliminated one option by designating lefty Anthony Banda for assignment and subsequently trading him to the Twins for international bonus pool money. There are three spots open, and while there may be some frontrunners, the situation also depends on Snell's status because several of the bullpen depth arms are also capable of stretching out to start if needed.

There are ultimately several moving pieces here, so there may not be much clarity on the situation until closer to the end of spring. Perhaps a little competition will bring out the best in the relievers in the mix.

A spring without No. 22
This Spring Training will be unlike any other for many of the regulars at Camelback Ranch because Clayton Kershaw's incredible career has come to an end.

The left-hander has retired, and while he's not entirely done with baseball -- he's suiting up for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic -- the Dodgers will go into this spring without their longtime leader. Kershaw was far from the only veteran voice in the clubhouse before his retirement, but his absence could create a void. The Dodgers have known that life without Kershaw was coming, but this year they will have to reckon with it.