The Los Angeles Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series titles and should be the overwhelming favorites in 2026 for a third consecutive title.
But, they are likely such favorites thanks to two moves the team made this offseason. Despite their World Series win, the Dodgers still had plenty of opportunities to improve the roster. And they did just that this winter.
Their signings of Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz were massive, enough that MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan noted that the Dodgers made the biggest upgrades in left field and at closer this offseason.
Dodgers own two of MLB's best upgrades this offseason
Harrigan identified the upgrade to Tucker in left field and the upgrade to Diaz in the closer role as the biggest upgrades at each position this offseason around baseball.
For their closer role, Tanner Scott was a big swing and a miss, as his $72 million, four-year deal looks to be a massive mistake. He blew 10 saves and had a 4.74 ERA.
Add on that Kirby Yates struggled, and Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips missed the majority of the season, and the Dodgers' closer situation was not good last year.
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Roki Sasaki took over the role in the postseason and had success, but when it comes to traditional closers, the addition of Diaz on a $69 million deal should be a massive boost for the bullpen in Los Angeles.
Tucker in left field is a bit more obvious, as few players are as good as Tucker, and with Michael Conforto's major struggles, the upgrade to Tucker cannot be much bigger.
While the Dodgers won the World Series last year, they still got two of the biggest upgrades this offseason, seeing Tucker and Diaz be exactly what the Dodgers needed this offseason to go for a three-peat.
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