How the Dodgers built their World Series roster

As the World Series begins, we take a look at how both teams' rosters were constructed. In a battle of major market giants, much of the heavy lifting has been done via free agency. Both the Yankees and Dodgers made big gains in trades, moving some key homegrown contributors to complement their moves on the open market.

A player who was drafted or acquired in a trade, who subsequently left in free agency and re-signed, is classified as a free agent acquisition. The player's history with the organization is of course a big reason for his return, but the most recent transaction was still to sign him to a free agent contract.

After taking a look at the Yankees tonight, let's turn our attention to the Dodgers, who are looking for a second title in five years.

Trade (9)

The Yankees had massive trades for Juan Soto And Giancarlo Stanton. The Betts blockbuster may have been even more influential. Los Angeles also acquired Graterol from the Twins as part of that three-team deal. They took action Kenta Maeda to Minnesota while sending Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong And Jeter Downs to Boston and explore a piece of underwater David Price Contract. LA immediately signed Betts to a $365 million contract extension. Since donning Dodger blue, he has three top-five MVP finishes. It is one of the most influential trades in MLB history.

Nothing quite matches the Betts deal, but LA's World Series team benefits from a few more key deadline trades. Game 1 starter Flaherty came from the Tigers in a trade that sent a rookie infielder Trey Sweeney and catching view Thayron Liranzo to Detroit. That deal, which was canceled just minutes before the deadline, reportedly came just hours after the Yankees backed out of a potential Flaherty trade because they were worried about his back.

Because not only was Flaherty gone, the Dodgers' bigger move in July was another three-team trade. Los Angeles acquired eventual NLCS MVP Edman from the Cardinals and future closer Kopech from the White Sox – a deal that cost them a young infielder Miguel Vargas and perspectives Alexander Albertus And Jeral Perez. Edman was recovering from wrist surgery and had not yet made his season debut at the time, while Kopech had a 4.74 ERA despite big swing-and-miss numbers.

The oldest trade on this list occurred a decade ago. The Dodgers and Marlins reached a seven-player deal that continues to have repercussions. Los Angeles sent Dee Strange Gordon, Miguel Rojas And Dan Haren to Miami for four players: Enrique Hernandez, Andrew Heaney (Immediately forwarded to the angels for Howie Kendrick), Chris Hatcher and Barnes. Since then, they have retained Barnes as a backup catcher. Los Angeles would bring Rojas back nine years after his move. The Dodgers acquired the veteran infielder in a one-for-one trade that gave them a potential infielder Jacob Amaya to the fish. Amaya played four games for Miami before they waived him.

Los Angeles continues to benefit from another smaller trade with the Marlins. In 2021, the Dodgers sent a center fielder Dylan Floro to Miami for Vesia and Kyle Hurt. Vesia has a 2.57 ERA in four seasons in Los Angeles. He is Dave Roberts' top left bullpen arm. Vesia is supported by Banda, a respected candidate turned journeyman. The Dodgers acquired him in an all-cash deal with the Guardians in May.

MLB Free Agency (8)

Most of LA's biggest free agent pickups came last winter. The signing of Ohtani will go down as one of the largest transactions in MLB history. The deferred structure made it one of the most controversial sports contracts of all time. After accounting for deferred funds, MLB estimates the $700 million deal to be approximately $461 million for luxury tax purposes. By any measure, it's still the biggest deal of all time – a record he'll hold until then Juan Soto signs this offseason. Ohtani became the first player in league history to reach 50-50 and will win the NL MVP in his first year.

Just weeks after signing Ohtani, the Dodgers signed Yamamoto to the largest pitching contract of all time. The 25-year-old right-hander signed a 12-year, $325 million contract before making his first pitch in the MLB. A rotator cuff injury cost him part of his first big league season, but he posted an even 3.00 earned run average in 18 starts. Teoscar Hernández signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract, which was also postponed. The two-time All-Star had a down year with the Mariners, but bounced back with a 33-homer performance that was reminiscent of his best days with the Blue Jays.

Freeman was a high-profile signee released from lockdown in 2022. He signed a six-year, $162 million contract (deferments brought the NPV closer to $140 million). The former MVP picked up where he left off in Atlanta. He is a .314/.399/.520 hitter in more than 2,000 plate appearances in three seasons for Los Angeles.

Taylor, Brasier, Enrique Hernández and Treinen have all re-signed with the Dodgers in recent years. Los Angeles acquired Taylor from the Mariners in 2016 for righty Zach Lee. Taylor developed into an important super-utility player who the Dodgers eventually re-signed for $60 million.

Treinen has signed several short-term contracts and continues to perform well behind Roberts' bullpen when healthy. Enrique Hernández is a clubhouse favorite who has tended to elevate his play in October. The Dodgers reacquired him from the Red Sox at the 2023 deadline and brought him back on a $4 million free agent contract last winter. Los Angeles signed Brasier to a minor league contract midway through the 2023 season after he was released by the Red Sox. He dominated in Southern California and returned with a two-year, $9 million contract.

First-Year Player Draft (5)

Buehler, Lux and Smith are former first-round picks. Buehler fell to 24th overall out of Vanderbilt in 2015 due to concerns about his arm health. He underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted but developed into an ace before going under the knife again in 2022. This year he was a shell of his former self. The Dodgers acquired both Lux and Smith the following year. LA took Lux 20th overall out of a high school in Wisconsin before securing Smith, a Louisville product, 12 picks later.

He has three MLB appearances in his career. Knack was a senior recruit from East Tennessee State in 2020. He started with solid results in 12 of 15 appearances, but will work in the low-leverage position in October. Casparius, a UCONN product, went in the fifth round in 2021.

Minor league contracts (2)

Muncy was an excellent find. He was a .195/.290/.321 hitter in his career when he was released by the A's and signed a minor league contract in April 2018. In the seven years since, he has posted four 35-homer seasons and three years of appearances on MVP ballots. Muncy has signed consecutive extensions and has a .230/.356/.487 line in nearly 3,000 plate appearances in a Dodger uniform.

Hudson re-signed with LA to a minor league contract last offseason. There appeared to be a handshake agreement that the Dodgers would add him to the Opening Day roster. Hudson was ruined by knee injuries in consecutive seasons but stayed healthy and pitched 65 innings of 3.00 ERA ball this year.

International amateur commitments (1)

The Dodgers signed Pages from Cuba in 2018 for $300,000. The outfielder has improved his skills and become one of the organization's top prospects. He debuted this season and hit .248/.305/.407 with 15 home runs.

Disclaimers (1)

Los Angeles claimed Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates in June. They gave up on him themselves, but called him again at the end of August.