The 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers: Villains of the Diamond
Anyone who thought that the 1998-2000 New York Yankees perfected the art of being villains needs to get a load of the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers. After a dominant 2024 season in which they led the majors in regular-season victories and clinched the World Series, the Dodgers demonstrated that being great is not enough. They have become the most aggressive team on the free-agent market, sparking widespread criticism that their high-spending ways are detrimental to baseball. Statistical projections, such as the PECOTA 2025 standings released in early February, further fueled the discontent. Not only were the Dodgers predicted to finish first, but their projected 103 wins were 10 more than any other team.
Fantasy Baseball’s Love-Hate Relationship with the Dodgers
Despite their dominance, the Dodgers have not seen a corresponding surge in fantasy draft popularity. While some key players like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman are highly sought after, the team as a whole is not teeming with fantasy stars. For instance, the Dodgers are projected to have the best pitching staff in terms of run prevention, yet the Seattle Mariners have more top 100 pitching picks, including Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, and Andres Muñoz. On the hitting side, the Atlanta Braves, despite being projected to score 75 fewer runs, have more top 60 picks in Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, and Marcell Ozuna. This disparity suggests two possible conclusions: either the Dodgers are not as good as expected, or fantasy managers are underrating some Dodgers. However, neither of these points is entirely true. The projections are accurate, and the Dodgers are fairly priced in drafts. The real secret lies in the team’s construction.
The Depth and Versatility of a Dominant Team
Andrew Friedman and his team have built a roster that is deep and versatile, designed to withstand the grueling seven-month regular season and postseason. This approach will keep fantasy managers on their toes all season. One likely source of frustration is Tommy Edman, who, despite being labeled a bench player, will see significant playing time, spelling most of the regulars not named Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman. Fellow bench players Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernández also add depth, with Hernández logging nearly 400 plate appearances last year. This bench strength ensures that the bottom half of the lineup remains productive, but it will challenge daily league managers and test the patience of those in weekly leagues.
The Rotating Rotation and Bullpen by Committee
The Dodgers’ pitching rotation is another area that will test fantasy managers. The team will often roll with six starters, including the dynamic Shohei Ohtani once he joins the rotation. However, the group’s durability is questionable. Blake Snell, the ace, has thrown over 130 innings only twice in his nine-year career, and Tyler Glasnow, who is among the Opening Day rotation candidates, is one of the most fragile starters in baseball. Roki Sasaki, while exciting, is unlikely to have a significant workload in his rookie season. This group should include a few successful 120-150 inning starters, making them solid No. 2-3 fantasy starters but not aces. Additionally, fantasy managers must navigate a bullpen by committee approach. Manager Dave Roberts has stated that Tanner Scott will get most of the save opportunities, but Roberts has a history of rotating his relievers. With a deep bullpen including Scott, Kirby Yates, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, and Michael Kopech, the save opportunities will be spread thin.
Finding Value in the Dodgers’ Depth
While the Dodgers are going to be great in 2025, fantasy managers need to know how to leverage that greatness to their advantage. Drafting Ohtani, Betts, or Freeman is a smart move, but they do not offer much of an advantage over other top-tier options. The next tier of fantasy options may be underwhelming due to the workload distribution. However, there are late-round gems who could benefit from being surrounded by such a dominant team. Max Muncy, with a Yahoo ADP of 192.6, is one of the most undervalued players on the Dodgers. Despite his low batting average, Muncy can sit out 25 games and still produce 30 homers and 180 R+RBIs, making him a valuable late-round pick. Michael Conforto, with a Yahoo ADP of 247.1, is also a bargain. Although he will be platooned, Conforto can produce 25 homers and 70 RBI as a late-round pick. Kirby Yates, with a Yahoo ADP of 162.9, was one of the most effective relievers last year and should get some save opportunities, especially as a right-handed counterpart to Tanner Scott. If Scott falters, Yates could become a top 10 closer. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, with Yahoo ADPs of 261.5 and 258.6, respectively, are coming back from injuries and will battle for a rotation spot. These late-round picks can provide significant value to fantasy managers.
Embracing the Dodgers’ Dominance in Fantasy
In conclusion, the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to be one of the greatest teams in baseball, and fantasy managers need to understand how to navigate their depth and versatility. Drafting top-tier players like Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman is a safe bet, but the real value lies in the late-round picks who can benefit from being part of such a dominant team. By carefully selecting players like Max Muncy, Michael Conforto, Kirby Yates, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May, fantasy managers can maximize the Dodgers’ potential and turn their depth into a significant advantage.
