The Dodgers’ starting rotation began the 2023 season as a strength, and ended as a primary reasons why the year ended in disappointment. Scoring six runs in three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t help, but a rotation that...

The Dodgers’ starting rotation began the 2023 season as a strength, and ended as a primary reasons why the year ended in disappointment. Scoring six runs in three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t help, but a rotation that allowed 13 runs in a combined 4.2 innings hurt more. 

The front office entered the offseason determined to make a change and not let the same thing happen again. Two months later, the Dodgers’ rotation could not look more different going into 2024.

They traded for ace Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays, giving them an established front-line starter. The front office then signed Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract.

On top of that, the Dodgers landed two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani won’t be pitching in 2024 but is expected to return to the mound in 2025.

Glasnow spoke with our very own Doug McKain about the state of the starting rotation, and he said this group is the most talented he’s been part of. 

“Yeah, for sure. Especially when everyone’s healthy, obviously,” Glasnow said. “And the next few years, like Shohei joining the rotation. It’s the most talented one, for sure. It’s capable of a lot of really good things.”

It’s a high compliment coming from Glasnow, who isn’t exactly going from the outhouse to the penthouse as baseball teams are concerned. The Rays have a knack for maximizing their organizational talent, particularly in light of injuries that seem to beset their pitchers annually.

From 2019-23 — Glasnow’s five years in Tampa Bay — the Rays have had a collective ERA of 3.67, 3.56, 3.67, 3.41 and 3.87, ranking among the best pitching staffs in the American League each season.

Glasnow is joined in the Dodgers’ rotation by second-year starter Bobby Miller and former All-Star Walker Buehler, who will be returning from Tommy John surgery. This Dodgers rotation is loaded and will likely be one of the best in the entire league.

With the expected addition of Yamamoto, Glasnow believes the Dodgers have a chance to be dominant in 2024. He called them a super team before the reported signing of Yamamoto a few days later.

“I guess a ‘super duper team’. I don’t know how to characterize it. The team is amazing. It was already good and now it’s even better.”

About two months remain before Cactus League games begin, but the Dodgers have already flipped the script, turning their starting rotation from a weakness to a strength. The entire front office deserves credit for delivering their top targets in short order.

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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