Dodgers Roster: How Will Outfield Shape Up for 2022 Postseason?

While the Los Angeles starting rotation and bullpen will likely see many significant changes over the next six weeks, the position player portion of the roster could be relatively set.

Sure, there could be a few arguments made for the inclusion of someone like James Outman — or Miguel Vargas, who can play a little outfield — but unless someone goes extremely cold or another injury occurs, the outfielders on the roster right now may be the ones we see come October.

If the team decides to give Edwin Rios a big league shot when he’s healthy enough to return from the injured list in the coming weeks, it could throw a wrench into the outfield landscape because he’d need to take a position player’s spot. Joey Gallo sticks out as that player because he’s a lefty hitter and the team doesn’t really need him for defense. However, the club could just as easy keep Rios in the minors unless he’s needed as an injury replacement, specifically as a hitter and not so much as a third baseman or infielder.

What’s likely to occur, though, is activating Rios once the roster expand to 28 players on September 1, setting up a serious audition for about three or four position players for a single postseason roster spot.

Anyway, the bigger question here is which players will make up the primary outfield core and see the most playing time.

Aside from Mookie Betts, there probably isn’t a concrete answer at this point of the season. We would like to think that Cody Bellinger is the primary centerfielder, especially for his defensive prowess. Yet, when you consider his paltry .210/.267/.402 slash line, it makes you wonder if he’s worth keeping around for just his defense.

Bellinger has shown some power, and the crazy thing is that as soon as the majority of the fan base is about ready to give up on him, he has a breakout game, leading some to believe he’s about ready to emerge as his former self from several years back.

And, even though Chris Taylor will certainly be a part of the postseason roster for his versatility, one can argue that Trayce Thompson should be on the field as much as possible. Even though Thompson hasn’t been a regular since the return of Taylor and the acquisition of Gallo, he still continues to produce just about every chance he’s given.

Just as much as Gavin Lux has almost locked down the primary second base spot, Thompson could be well on his way to securing the regular left fielder’s spot.

Of course, if it’s up to skipper Dave Roberts, he’d tell you there are no “regulars” on the team aside from Mookie, Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner and Will Smith. However, teams often benefit from a bit of regularity when the playoffs roll around rather than basing every night’s lineup on a righty/lefty hitting matchup.

If he continues to produce, Trayce Thompson could be one of those regular guys.

9 thoughts on “Dodgers Roster: How Will Outfield Shape Up for 2022 Postseason?

  1. Thompson has continued to produce while playing excellent defensively. I am guessing the extra roster spots in September will go to Buehler and Kershaw if they are able to return. I agree that Rios will probably stay in the minors barring an injury.

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      1. I’m willing to submit this dispute to an impartial third party observer.
        I could be wrong.
        But I don’t think so.
        Anyone else want to weigh in on this?

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  2. As I said earlier, by my count there will be 5/6 guys dfa’d by seasons end, although most won’t be claimed in all probability.

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    1. Dodger rejects are automatically valued higher in the marketplace than plain old rejects. I would definitely expect guys like Bickford, Moronta and Bruihl to be claimed. Not sure who you figured the 5 or 6 would be, but I’m guessing most of them would be claimed. This is one where we’ll actually be able to figure out which of us was correct.

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  3. You’re probably right. Our rejects are a higher quality. First ones To go would be reed, Alvarez then outman and thompson. Pitchers I was thinking Jackson, Grove and moronta. We won’t miss an6 of those guys long term. Will be interesting. We throw around all the guys coming back and don’t think about who they replace on the 40.

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    1. I would say the first three would be Reed, Alvarez and Moronta.
      I think Outman and Thompson are staying.
      Hopefully they won’t have to dfa Grove or Jackson because they would bring back something in trade this winter.

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  4. You are right about the first 3 fir sure. 3 of the other 4 have to go unless we get lucky with some more injuries. Top of my list to go was price, but darn he us pitching pretty good and he could be valuable to have around and I don’t think they would dfa him out of respect.with no big leaguer future in la for any of them I’d rather see them all go and bring up a couple of young guys.

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