Poll Results Are In: Fans Approve of Post-Trade Deadline Dodgers

The trade deadline has passed. The Dodgers are welcoming back a number of their injured stars next week, and the starting rotation has stabilized at least somewhat with the return of Clayton Kershaw from the injured list and the emergence of rookie River Ryan.

Fans are well aware that injuries have decimated this season’s roster. Rather than placing the blame for the recent struggles on Andrew Friedman, one fan understood that the Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations has no control over players’ health.

Although injuries have been a nuisance this season, one fan has found a benefit from having All-Star pitchers on the sidelines. Before Tyler Glasnow and Kershaw returned from their injuries, their absences enabled young pitchers to get Major League experience.

Due to the handful of injuries among starting pitchers, the relievers have taken on much of the workload. Fans have noticed the increased innings for relievers and expressed that the bullpen seems exhausted from the extra innings.

While fans acknowledged that injuries in the starting rotation have led to increased workloads for relievers, the issues with the bullpen is blamed on Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

One fan gave credit to Roberts for being able to maintain the top spot in the National League West despite injuries plaguing key players. The fan also pointed out that some people only focus on Roberts’ mistakes.

Overall, opinions were split on Roberts. Numerous fans alluded to more striking problems, like Shohei Ohtani leading off and the delay in making Miguel Rojas the starting shortstop.

Position players received positive votes, but fans identified a glaring concern.

The main concerns among fans were shortstop and center field. Before fracturing his hand in June, four-time All-Star Mookie Betts was moved from the outfield to shortstop. Ever since the move, fans have been urging for Betts to be moved back to the outfield, specifically right field.

While Betts has been gone, Rojas has become the every day shortstop, a move fans generally approve. However, Andy Pages has struggled as an everyday center fielder. Many fans are dissatisfied with this choice, because they feel Pages’ defense is inadequate compared to other options such as new acquisition Kevin Kiermaier.

One fan had a suggestion to fix the outfield.

Fans expressed satisfaction with the front office. In the offseason, the Dodgers acquired Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernández, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Except for Yamamoto, who is on the 60-day IL, all of these additions are 2024 NL All-Stars.

The front office has continued to impress fans, especially at the deadline.

Reliever Michael Kopech and starter Jack Flaherty add depth to the Dodgers’ pitching staff. Meanwhile, center fielders Kiermaier and Tommy Edman, and shortstop Amed Rosario, can solve the shortstop-center field dilemma.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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