The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently the center of the baseball universe, and honestly, it’s not even close. If you’re asking how are the LA Dodgers doing right now, the short answer is: they are terrifying.
Fresh off their second consecutive World Series title—a gritty, seven-game thriller against the Toronto Blue Jays in late 2025—the front office decided that "standing pat" wasn't in their vocabulary. While most teams celebrate a championship by exhaling, Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes spent January 2026 breathing fire.
They just landed Kyle Tucker.
Yes, that Kyle Tucker. The four-year, $240 million deal signed on January 15, 2026, basically broke the internet and infuriated every other fan base from New York to St. Louis. It’s the kind of move that feels like playing a video game with the "force trade" button permanently glued down. But for the Dodgers, it’s just Thursday.
The State of the Roster: How are the LA Dodgers Doing in 2026?
Right now, the Dodgers aren't just a baseball team; they’re a collection of future Hall of Famers trying to see how many rings they can fit on one hand. The lineup heading into Spring Training 2026 is absurd.
You’ve got Shohei Ohtani, who is officially back to two-way duties after a 2025 season where he basically served as the sport's main character. Then there’s Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. While Freeman recently made headlines for withdrawing from the 2026 World Baseball Classic to focus on his health, the vibe in LA is that he’s just being smart about his 162-game workload.
The Rotation is Getting Scary
If you thought the offense was the only story, look at the mound. The 2025 World Series MVP, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, is entering 2026 as arguably the best pitcher on the planet. He’s joined by:
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- Tyler Glasnow, looking for a full healthy season.
- Roki Sasaki, the Japanese phenom who has already lived up to the hype.
- Blake Snell, the veteran southpaw who keeps reinventing himself.
- Shohei Ohtani, returning to his role as a frontline starter.
It’s an embarrassment of riches. Most teams pray for one ace. The Dodgers have four or five, depending on how you count them.
Winning the Offseason (Again)
There was some chatter in December about the team possibly moving Teoscar Hernández. People thought the 40-man roster crunch was finally going to force a "budget" move.
Nope.
Instead, the plan now is to keep Teoscar, slide him to left field, and put Kyle Tucker in right. This move effectively relegates talented players like Ryan Ward—the reigning PCL MVP—to the trade block. It’s a "first-world problem" in the extreme. When your "depth" consists of guys who would start on 25 other MLB teams, you know you’re doing something right.
The bullpen also got a massive boost with the signing of Edwin Díaz to a three-year deal in December 2025. Dave Roberts, who recently signed a four-year extension through 2029, has more toys than he knows what to do with. He’s essentially the conductor of a billion-dollar orchestra.
The Shohei Factor
We have to talk about Ohtani. In 2025, he put up a postseason performance for the ages—10 strikeouts and three home runs in a single game during the NLCS against Milwaukee.
Heading into 2026, the expectation is a full "unicorn" season. No more elbow rehab limitations. No more "just hitting" days. He’s expected to chase the Triple Crown while simultaneously gunning for the Cy Young alongside Yamamoto. It sounds like hyperbole, but with Shohei, it’s just the baseline.
Real Challenges and the "Three-Peat" Pressure
Is everything perfect? Not exactly.
The luxury tax bill is high enough to fund a small country's space program. There is also the inevitable target on their backs. Every time the Dodgers roll into a stadium in 2026, they are going to get the opponent's best pitcher and most intense energy.
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Then there’s the age factor. Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy aren’t getting younger. While the Dodgers have done a great job integrating youth—like Dalton Rushing and Andy Pages—the core is heavily invested in the "now." If injuries hit the veteran infield, things could get interesting.
But honestly, looking at the depth chart, even their "backup" options are better than most teams' starters. They acquired Aledmys Ibáñez for infield depth and have Tommy Edman as a literal Swiss Army knife in the outfield and dirt.
What to Watch Next
As we approach the start of the 2026 season, the focus shifts to Camelback Ranch.
- Monitor the Health of the Rotation: Watch the early bullpens for Glasnow and Sasaki. If they are 100%, the NL West is essentially over before it starts.
- The Outfield Shuffle: See how Dave Roberts manages the playing time between Tucker, Hernández, and Edman.
- Shohei’s Pitching Schedule: The Dodgers have hinted at a six-man rotation to keep Ohtani and Yamamoto fresh.
The Dodgers are currently doing better than any franchise in the modern era of baseball. They have successfully bridged the gap between a "big market spender" and a "player development machine."
Actionable Insights for Fans:
If you're looking to catch a game this year, book your tickets for the home opener at Dodger Stadium early. With the Tucker signing and the three-peat quest, attendance is projected to break records again. Also, keep an eye on the trade market; the Dodgers still have a surplus of catching and pitching prospects (like Bobby Miller) that they could flip for even more bullpen help before the July deadline.
The mission is clear: 2026 is about becoming the first team to three-peat since the 1998-2000 Yankees. Right now, they look like a lock to at least make the dance.