Cody Snavely
The 2024 season is fast approaching, and with the offseason finally entering the new year, the Dodgers must address a few needs before they break for camp in February. While the front office has done a tremendous job in solving the team’s primary issue with starting pitching, the Dodgers now need an impactful right-handed bat to help with their lackluster numbers against left-handed pitching.
Why the team needs a right-handed bat
While the 2023 season saw the Dodgers win another 100 games, they still had a few issues in their hitting core, specifically against left-handed pitchers. The Dodgers had a slash line of .246/.334/.453 with an OPS of .787. The Dodgers also saw a dip in their home runs, doubles, RBI, and every other stat across the board. However, this is to be somewhat expected as the Dodgers K/O lineup was the all-left-handed hitter lineup, which included the platoons with Jason Heyward and David Peralta.
The Dodgers platoon players facing left-handed pitchers have primarily been Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez, who both cut action across the diamond due to their versatility. Chris Taylor, who is lined up to be the team’s everyday left fielder, has done well against left-handed pitching, posting a 113 OPS+ last year. However, he has reverse splits for batting average, hitting better against righties. Besides Chris Taylor, the other option for a platoon role is newly acquired outfielder Manuel Margot.
Margot is expected to split time in right field and platoon with Jason Heyward, with Mookie Betts slotting in as the team’s everyday second basemen. However, like Taylor, Margot has reverse splits against lefties with a slash line of .277/.293/.378 with an OPS of .665. Margot also had a higher OPS+ vs RHP (91) than LHP (80). With little offensive production expected, who can the Dodgers turn to?
Tommy Pham
The top name on the free agent market regarding right-handed platoon bats is undoubtedly Tommy Pham, who spent the 2023 season split with the Mets and the Diamondbacks. Pham is coming off of one of his better offensive seasons, which saw him hit 16 home runs, 68 RBI, and 22 stolen bases, and he has an OPS+ of 111. Pham’s numbers did dip across the board upon the trade, but overall, he had a great season. However, what stands out is his career numbers vs left-handed pitching.
Pham’s slash line vs left-handed pitchers is .271/.381/.453 with an OPS of .834 and OPS+ of 113. The Dodgers, desperate for that offensive production, could slot Pham in left field. Pham is also unique as he has a higher chance of being an everyday player than the other right-handed bats on the free agent market. Pham had also expressed interest in joining the Dodgers as recently as last offseason when he tried to have his camp reach out to the Dodgers in hopes of a contract. However, the Dodgers declined and went with David Peralta for their left field option.
Adam Duvall
Adam Duvall is the next ideal candidate on the free agent market. Duvall, who spent the 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox, re-established himself as a premier hitter in baseball. Duvall put together an impressive season in Beantown, posting an OPS+ of 119 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI in 320 at-bats. What makes Duvall less appealing than Pham is you lose some defensive value in the outfield, and with the DH spot taken up by Shohei Ohtani, Duvall will strictly be based in left field or perhaps third base, barring any injury or off time for Max Muncy.
However, while you would expect a right-handed power bat from Duvall to have significant numbers against left-handed pitching, that is not the case. In 2023, Duvall had better splits against righties than lefties, hitting 131 OPS+ vs RHP and 101 vs LHP. Duvall also hit 18 of his 21 home runs against right-handed pitchers and had his slugging percentage up almost one hundred points. If the Dodgers genuinely want an upgrade against lefties, Duvall may not be the answer.
Lane Thomas
With the free agent market looking increasingly thin, the Dodgers could look to the trade market for an impactful right-handed bat. One name that the Dodgers should consider is Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas. Thomas had quite a surprising season in 2023, posting the best numbers of his career up until now. Thomas hit career highs in nearly every category, such as home runs, RBI, hits, doubles, etc. However, of the names on this list, Thomas has the best numbers facing left-handed pitching.
During the 2023 season, Thomas had a slash line of .332/.375/.573 with an OPS of .948 and an OPS+ of 153. Facing left-handed pitchers, Thomas’s numbers were better across the board except in home runs, where he hit 19 vs RHP and 9 against LHP. However, a trade for Thomas could prove difficult as he is under team control for another two seasons, and the Nationals are hopefully putting the tools together to play competitive baseball in the next year or so.
The Dodgers still have the minor league depth to get any deal done, and compared to other right-handed bats on the market, such as Randy Arozarena or Luis Robert Jr., Lane Thomas is the most affordable option.
Conclusion
With the Braves recent trade for left-handed pitcher Chris Sale and other lefties they have acquired for their bullpen, it is a move to attack the left-handed heavy lineup of the Dodgers and Phillies. So naturally, the Dodgers should look to add that right-handed impact bat for October, whether during the offseason or the 2024 trade deadline. Tommy Pham makes the most sense; however, if possible, I would explore a Lane Thomas trade with the Nationals.
