Los Angeles Dodgers: Why the Dodgers will win the 2019 World Series
By Jason Reed
3. The Los Angeles Dodgers are still the deepest team in the National League
The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to overcome the massive amount of adversity thrown their way last season because of one thing: the depth of the team. In 2019, this should be no different as the Dodgers enter the season with the deepest roster in the National League and arguably the deepest roster in baseball.
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While I do think that certain guys should be converted into everyday players, not platoon options, the Dodgers depth is sickening and is what makes the team so good to begin with.
Let’s say the everyday players are Justin Turner, Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig. There is still a pool of Max Muncy, David Freese, Yasmani Grandal (if he accepts the qualifying offer), Austin Barnes, Joc Pederson, Matt Kemp, Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez to pull from.
There might even be some minor changes in who is in that group next season but there are other guys like Alex Verdugo and Andrew Toles that are already knocking on the door for playing time and could receive it next season. Verdugo is the team’s top prospect, after all.
Then there is the pitching staff. We already mentioned the great four from earlier but then in the fifth spot, the Dodgers could have Alex Wood, Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, Dennis Santana or even Caleb Ferguson start. Heck, I would go as far as to say the team should run a six-man rotation to keep the elite arms fresh.
You could argue all you want about how important this is in the postseason and in some cases it does not make a huge difference. However, in a 162-game season, having the deepest team of the bunch is an obvious advantage and is why the Dodgers have the longest active postseason streak in baseball.
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Now, all the team has to do is win those final games that have been alluding them. The depth will get them there, and hopefully, the return of Corey Seager and a new-look starting rotation can be a major difference.