Dodgers 2023 Opening Day roster

LOS ANGELES -- Given the roster turnover, the Dodgers have a handful of key roster decisions to make this spring, making it one of the most interesting camps in quite some time.

While the Dodgers will have six weeks to sort through it all, we take a very early look at what the Opening Day roster could look like when they take the field on March 30 against the D-backs.

Catcher (2): Will Smith, Austin Barnes
This spot has been a strength over the past few seasons as Smith and Barnes make quite the case for the best catching duo in the National League. Smith is one of the most underrated hitters in the league and is expected to take yet another step forward in 2023. Barnes is an above-average backup catcher and knows how to navigate through lineups extremely well.

First base (1): Freddie Freeman
It was an emotional year for Freeman, but he and the Dodgers couldn’t have asked for a better season in his first year with Los Angeles. Freeman led the Majors with 199 hits in 2022 and his .325 batting average was the highest of his career in a full 162-game season.

Second base (1): Miguel Vargas
Vargas struggled in limited time last season, going 8-for-47 with one homer in his first taste in the Majors. Going into this season, however, Vargas is expected to receive consistent playing time, which should help his offensive numbers. Vargas’ offense has long been talked about and he enters Spring Training with second base being his position to lose.

Shortstop (1): Gavin Lux
After waiting for years behind Corey Seager and Trea Turner, Lux will finally be tasked with being the Dodgers’ primary shortstop this season. It will be a big spring for the 25-year-old, who has added nearly 15 pounds of muscle this offseason.

Third base (1): Max Muncy
Muncy was the Dodgers’ primary first baseman in 2021, but his versatility has helped Los Angeles get creative over the past few seasons. After spending time at second and third last season, Muncy is expected to be the starting third baseman now that Justin Turner has signed with the Red Sox.

Outfielders (5): Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor, Trayce Thompson, Jason Heyward, Bradley Zimmer
One thing we know is that Betts will be the Dodgers’ right fielder and is a favorite to win another Gold Glove at the position. After that, there are a lot of question marks. Cody Bellinger struggled offensively over the past few seasons, but he gave the team elite defense in center field. With him gone, Los Angeles will turn to Thompson and Taylor at the position. James Outman can only handle center field, but he will likely start the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City in order to get consistent at-bats. That all opens up opportunities for Heyward and Zimmer to win a job as non-roster invitees. When the outfield conversation is brought up, Zimmer and Heyward’s names always come up, a good indicator of what the Dodgers are thinking. Los Angeles could also bring in an outfielder via trade at some point in the spring.

DH (1): J.D. Martinez
Given his age and declining defense, Martinez is now viewed as a designated hitter, and a very good one at that. He should help the Dodgers’ lineup, primarily against left-handed pitching.

Utility (1): Miguel Rojas
Rojas has been a starting shortstop for a long time, but he will get most of his looks at second and third base this season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said Rojas will get some reps in left field this spring.

Starting pitchers (5): Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, Noah Syndergaard, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin
Ryan Pepiot, Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone and Michael Grove will all get looks, but barring injury, this should be the Dodgers’ starting rotation to start the season.

Relief pitchers (8): Alex Vesia, Daniel Hudson, Evan Phillips, Shelby Miller, Brusdar Graterol, Caleb Ferguson, Yency Almonte, Phil Bickford
This is an area that’s tough to predict before seeing how each reliever comes into camp. If Hudson is fully recovered from his torn left ACL, he’ll be on the Opening Day roster. If he’s not, then that would open up a spot for guys like Justin Bruihl and Victor González. We’ll get a better sense of how this shapes out a couple of weeks into camp, but we’ll roll with these eight for now.