Questions for Both the Dodgers and Yankees After the 2024 World Series
The 2024 MLB season is officially in the books, with the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series Championship in five games over the New York Yankees. With the season now wrapped up, there are a ton of questions as we head towards this offseason for both of these teams. The landscape of the league could look severely different next season depending on what both the Dodgers and Yankees do this offseason. It will be intriguing to see what both teams’ mind state is heading into the 2025 season. As we start the baseball offseason, let’s look into a few questions these teams may need to answer come next season.
Yankees Free Agency: What Decision Does Juan Soto Make?
Juan Soto wished to be traded from the San Diego Padres in order to win a championship. While he was just three games away from becoming a champion, Soto has a very important decision to make this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. If the Yankees are willing to pay the four-time Silver Slugger what he’s asking, New York will be in the right direction to regroup and get their minds back at making another World Series run. Yet, Soto could either have other plans in mind from the get-go or if the Yankees refused to pay him what he wants, the former World Series champion may very well walk. New York has other expiring contracts to deal with, such as Gleyber Torres, Alex Verdugo, and Tommy Kahnle. How will this team go about this offseason? Will they try to resign everyone, or do everything they can to worry about Soto first and then the other guys? Teams like the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays want to do everything they can to acquire a talent like Soto. Can the Yankees win the heart of Soto and resign him to a deal that solidifies his play in the Bronx for the next decade, perhaps?
Does Ohtani Worry About Pitching in 2025?
During the World Series, Shohei Ohtani popped his shoulder out while attempting to steal second base. This past season, Ohtani did not pitch this season as he wanted to make a full recovery after going through right elbow surgery. The former MVP, perhaps, may have added a third MVP trophy to his shelf after the marvelous 2024 season he had, becoming the first-ever player to record a 50-50 season. He’ll have to question if pitching is not only the smart thing to do for his health but will he have the same consistencies at the plate from this past season. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ upper management clearly has an idea of what they're doing after spending a billion dollars this offseason just to produce a championship. If the Dodgers desperately need the Japanese superstar to pitch, I think it will be every five, six, or seven days. Ohtani may have his next feat in mind, which would be to become a Cy Young Award winner.
Can the Dodgers Repeat?
Of course, the big question is, can the Dodgers repeat this postseason magic? They have all their stars locked on fully loaded contracts and plenty of free agents who are looking to get a pay-day and go back to Los Angeles as a Dodger to aim for another championship. They certainly have a team that is looking to secure not only one but multiple World Series championships, with former MVPs all over the lineup. Will this team rise to the occasion again, or will they brutally collapse?
