The 2020 season was a memorable one for the Los Angeles Dodgers as although it was shortened to 60 games due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, they finally were able to break through and win their first World Series since 1988.
Coming off a championship, it would have been easy for the Dodgers to get complacent and run it back with the same roster, but that is not what president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman had in mind.
On top of re-signing key players like Justin Turner and Blake Treinen, the Dodgers added reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer to bolster their rotation.
Because of that, excitement is at an all-time high at Camelback Ranch with pitchers and catchers now in camp for the start of Spring Training. Everyone in the Dodgers’ clubhouse has the same goal in mind of being the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000.
Ahead the first workout for pitchers and catchers, manager Dave Roberts gave a speech that mentioned the focus of winning the World Series.
“This is the start of an eight month season. We’re not trying to play through September. We have eight more months left.”
The Champs want another title. pic.twitter.com/rZUlZSZ67b
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 18, 2021
As always, Roberts will be faced with the tough task of managing some big personalities in the clubhouse. He has done a great job of that in the past, especially considering the Dodgers have so much talent that players are forced to make sacrifices for the greater good of the team.
To no surprise, the Dodgers have been pegged as the favorites to win it all again in 2021. That means that they will have a big target on their backs though, so they will have to maintain focus to avoid having a World Series hangover.
Roberts not concerned with Padres
One team that will be coming for the Dodgers’ title is their division-rival San Diego Padres, who also had a very successful offseason.
Roberts nonetheless admitted to not being concerned with the moves the Padres made, rather focusing on things the Dodgers can control.
With two teams in the same division having World Series aspirations, it should make for a very interesting NL West race throughout the course of the year.
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