This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are putting the finishing touches on the best regular season in franchise history. But come next week, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts will start focusing on their postseason roster.
Though most of the decisions are easy, it’ll be difficult to predict exactly what the Dodgers’ roster will look like in the National League Division Series until they have a set opponent. Once they find out who they play -- which appears to be either the Mets, Braves or Padres -- the Dodgers will get a better sense of the roster.
But of course, we can’t wait that long. So let’s try to predict what an NLDS roster could look like. Reminder: The 26-man roster must have an even number of pitchers and position players.
Catchers (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
This is the easiest decision on the roster. Assuming both Smith and Barnes stay healthy over the next week, they’ll be the two backstops on the roster. Smith could get some time as the designated hitter, especially when Clayton Kershaw is on the mound. It’s no secret that Kershaw and Barnes have a unique relationship.
Infielders (6): Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, Trea Turner, Miguel Vargas
The first five on this list are obvious. Freeman will handle first base, Lux and Trea Turner are in the middle of the infield, and Justin Turner and Muncy will alternate at third base and designated hitter.
The last name on the list is probably the surprise. Vargas hasn’t had the best start to his Major League career, but it’s easy to see what the Dodgers like in the 22-year-old. Vargas is 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position since getting called up, showing an advanced approach at the plate.
Vargas could give the Dodgers some depth in the infield, but could also give them another option in the outfield. With Cody Bellinger, Joey Gallo, Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor all scuffling at the plate, maybe Vargas can get some playing time, assuming he’s even on the roster.
If Vargas makes the roster, that means Hanser Alberto wouldn’t make the cut. That would be a tough decision for the Dodgers, given the Dominican infielder has been referred to as the main source of energy by his teammates.
On the field, Alberto was brought in to hit left-handed pitching, something he has excelled at during his career. But this season, Alberto has battled a knee injury and only has a .667 OPS against southpaws.
Outfielders (5): Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Joey Gallo, Chris Taylor, Trayce Thompson
No surprises here. The big question with this group, however, will be who gets the starts in left and center field. Bellinger, Gallo, Taylor and Thompson have struggled as of late, but have four more games to show they’re the best option for Los Angeles in October. Bellinger and Taylor have had success in previous postseasons, which is something the Dodgers value.
Starting pitchers (4): Tyler Anderson, Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías
Anderson, Kershaw and Urías are locks for the Dodgers. The Game 1 starter will be either Kershaw or Urías. As for Gonsolin, this is assuming he’s able to stay healthy following his return on Monday.
Dustin May could also be an option here, but he needs to prove he’s healthy and also show that he can throw strikes consistently, something he has struggled with since coming back from Tommy John surgery in August. As of now, we’re leaving May off the roster.
Relief pitchers (9): Yency Almonte, Caleb Ferguson, Brusdar Graterol, Tommy Kahnle, Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Heaney, Chris Martin, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia
This is the most difficult group to try to predict because it’ll all be based on who the opponent is. Heaney would join the bullpen and he could be a pretty big weapon in October. Ferguson and David Price would fight for the last spot in the bullpen and that could go either way. For now, we’ll go with Ferguson.
And yes, Kimbrel is projected to make the roster despite his struggles. He’s no longer the closer and likely won’t be trusted in high-leverage situations, but he does give the Dodgers another right-hander in the bullpen.