Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series Victory: Building a Potential Dynasty

The Los Angeles Dodgers pursued their goal of becoming world champions with significant investment. In Major League Baseball’s off-season, the team committed over $1bn (£773m) to acquire new players. This strategy culminated last week when their roster, filled with star talent, secured the eighth World Series championship in the franchise’s history. BBC Sport examines the methods behind the Dodgers’ success and considers whether this achievement could mark the beginning of an MLB dynasty. Since 2013, when an ownership group that includes Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly acquired the team, the Dodgers have consistently maintained one of the highest payrolls in MLB. Over the 12 years since the acquisition, the Dodgers have qualified for the post-season every year, won their division 11 times, and appeared in four World Series. However, their accomplishments are attributed to more than just financial resources. Baseball writer David Lengel stated, “The Dodgers have had a cutting-edge formula for roster building.” He further described it as “a combination of enormous wealth and leveraging an analytics-based approach.” Chase Utley, a former World Series winner who concluded his career in 2018 after playing four seasons with the Dodgers, believes the organization “do a remarkable job throughout the organisation, not just with the players they bring in.” He added, “The front office is one of the best in baseball – for the way they think about their players, how they manoeuvre through the season, the coaching personnel they bring in. They’re very forward-thinking.” During their World Series triumph, the LA Dodgers notably achieved an ‘incredible’ five-run comeback. Utley attributes this strategic approach to Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ 47-year-old president of baseball operations. Friedman joined the team in 2014 from the Tampa Bay Rays, an organization situated in one of MLB’s smallest markets with one of its lowest payrolls, which he had nevertheless transformed into a consistent post-season contender. “He put their team together for a lot less than other teams were spending,” Utley remarked. “Now he’s at a much bigger organisation, with a bigger chequebook, and has taken the same philosophy.” Utley elaborated on Friedman’s method: “He has a unique way of consolidating talent and finding talent, but not necessarily paying for it. The Dodgers have spent some money, but they’re not grabbing every free agent, they’re picking and choosing wisely.” Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were among the Dodgers’ significant free-agent acquisitions, both delivering strong performances this season. The Dodgers also relied on players developed within their system and those released by other teams. Furthermore, they navigated a series of injuries to their pitching staff throughout the season. “It takes more than just one or two players to win a World Series,” Utley observed. He explained, “With the injuries, you’re constantly rotating guys in and out, bringing guys up from the minor leagues. The Dodgers had prepared those players not only to come up to the major league level but into a championship-calibre atmosphere, and the young guys didn’t shy away from that.” Friedman and the Dodgers plan to continue improving during the off-season, but they already have key players, such as Ohtani, secured on long-term contracts. Ohtani is anticipated to be like a new signing next season. This year’s probable National League MVP is exceptional as an elite player in both pitching and hitting, and he will be eligible to pitch for the Dodgers for the first time, having been prevented from taking the mound this year due to elbow surgery. “They’re built for success,” Utley stated. “A lot of these players are going to be around for four, five, six years.” He continued, “The core nucleus is there, but the Dodgers also bring in ancillary pieces, and change it up just a bit to create a youthful, energetic team.” Utley praised the team further: “They’re exciting. Their entire line-up has the ability to hit a home run and they play great defence. They’re just really good at all aspects of the game and they have some great personalities on the team, a really strong group of guys that care about each other.” The Dodgers’ 2020 World Series victory occurred during a season shortened by the Covid-19 pandemic, making this year’s title their first full-season championship since 1988. The team may experience a considerably shorter wait for their next championship. “They’re more than capable of ripping off multiple World Series titles in the next few years,” Lengel added. The LA Dodgers secured their World Series win with a ‘comeback for the ages’.