Offseason Outlook: Los Angeles Dodgers

theScore's baseball editors break down the past year for each team, and look ahead to the offseason.

Free agents: Hanley Ramirez, Chad Billingsley, Kevin Correia, Roberto Hernandez, Paul Maholm, Chris Perez, Jamey Wright

Arbitration-eligible players: Dee Gordon, A.J. Ellis, Kenley Jansen, Darwin Barney, Scott Elbert, Roger Bernadina, Justin Turner, Drew Butera

2014 payroll: $236 million

What went right in 2014?

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a lot go their way this year. Clayton Kershaw pitched one of the greatest seasons in recent memory, Matt Kemp was among the best offensive players of the second half, and the Dodgers went 64-41 since June 1. 

They didn't steamroll the National League the way some prognosticators predicted, but the Dodgers were a cut above the competition in almost every way. Los Angeles ranked first in the NL in on-base percentage, weighted runs created, and stolen bases, while placing fourth in team ERA and fifth in defensive runs saved.

What went wrong in 2014?

Injuries and poorly-timed slumps. If the best pitcher in baseball doesn't allow 11 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings during the Division Series, there's a good chance the Dodgers would have been playing for the NL pennant.

Yasiel Puig's inconsistent sophomore campaign took a nose dive when it mattered most, but several of his teammates were slumping right there with him.

Josh Beckett provided the Dodgers one of the best No. 4 arms in the game until season-ending surgery appears to have sidelined him into retirement. Hyun-Jin Ryu was solid again (19 quality starts in 26 outings), but a late-season shoulder injury exposed the club's lack of pitching depth. The Dodgers rolled in September without Beckett and Ryu and the latter pitched well in his only postseason start. Still, that's not a margin of error new decision-maker Andrew Friedman wants to gamble with in 2015. 

Expect the Dodgers to pursue bullpen help and look into an upgrade at catcher (L.A. backstops generated the fewest WAR in the majors this season), but there's only one starting catcher on the market and Russell Martin will get handsomely paid as a result.

Offseason Needs

Shortstop

Losing 124 games of Hanley Ramirez (which is how many he's averaged over the last three years) will hurt more than most teams who lose a full season out of a starting shortstop. Offensively, he's that good. 

At some point the Dodgers will want to hit the reset button on their escalating payroll, and this might be the opportunity to do so. 

Top Targets

• Ramirez: Injuries, defense and money make the prospect of re-upping with Ramirez less attractive, but his .365 wOBA and 135 wRC+ since 2012 is simply not available on the open market. It could, however, be prudent of the Dodgers to sign a stop-gap while the club waits for top prospect Corey Seager to reach the show.
   
• Additional candidates: Stephen Drew, Jed Lowrie. 

Pitching Depth

Dan Haren will be back after exercising his $10 million option for next season and the Dodgers will gladly take his 4.02 ERA and 1.18 WHIP out of the back end of the rotation. Losing Beckett, Roberto Hernandez and oft-injured Chad Billingsley creates a spot to fill and Los Angeles would be wise to kick the tires on some of the cheaper options out there.

• Jason Hammel: The 32-year-old right-hander won't come as cheap as he should, but there's something to be said for a guy who's thrown at least 170 innings in four of his last six seasons. If the Dodgers deem Hammel and other veterans in his class too expensive for a No. 4/5 spot, there are a few bounce-back alternatives worth taking a flier on.
   
• Additional candidates: Billingsley, Josh Johnson, Gavin Floyd. 

Impact Prospect

There is no prospect in the organization poised to make a more immediate impact than shortstop Corey Seager, the younger brother of Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle. Corey has plus hit and arm tools and the 20-year-old first-round pick is inching closer to the majors. Just how close he is could have a significant impact on the Dodgers' push to re-sign Ramirez. 

Joc Pederson - considered the club's third-ranked prospect by MLB.com - is another name to watch. His eventual presence in center field will keep Kemp and Puig on the corners and allow Friedman to trim overpaid outfield fat off his roster.