**A Letter to Santa: Dave Roberts’ Wish for the Dodgers’ Future**
As the winter chill sets in and the holiday season unfolds, baseball fans and players alike begin to reflect on the past season and look ahead to the new one. For Dave Roberts, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the festive season presents an opportunity to make a wish list—a letter to Santa Claus, if you will—of what he hopes Santa will deliver to his team to help them get over the postseason hump. After all, despite their regular-season dominance, the Dodgers have repeatedly come up short in the postseason, and Roberts is determined to finally break through.
Santa Claus, known for his ability to see into the hearts and minds of those who are truly deserving, already knows exactly what Dave Roberts will ask for in his annual letter. It’s no secret that the Dodgers manager is seeking reinforcements to help his team achieve their ultimate goal: winning the World Series. So, what would this Christmas wish list look like?
### 1. **A Healthy and Productive Starting Rotation**
First and foremost on Roberts’ list would be a starting rotation that is both deep and reliable. Over the past few years, the Dodgers have been hit hard by injuries to key starting pitchers. In 2023, they had to contend with the uncertainty surrounding Clayton Kershaw’s health, while young pitchers like Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin struggled to stay on the mound consistently. Add in the loss of Trevor Bauer and some underwhelming performances from veterans, and it’s clear that the Dodgers need stability in their starting five.
Santa, if you’re listening, Roberts would appreciate an addition or two to the rotation. Whether it’s a proven ace to pair with Kershaw or some younger arms who can step up, having depth and insurance in the rotation is crucial. Perhaps a mid-tier free agent signing or a trade acquisition would provide the necessary depth, enabling the Dodgers to rest their starters during the regular season and avoid overuse, which has sometimes led to injury or burnout.
### 2. **A Power-Hitting Right-Handed Bat**
The Dodgers have long been one of the most formidable offensive teams in baseball, but in recent seasons, they’ve become somewhat imbalanced in terms of hitting. While their left-handed hitters, particularly Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, can carry the lineup, there’s a glaring need for a consistent right-handed power bat to balance things out.
One of Roberts’ wishes would be for Santa to deliver a right-handed slugger—someone who can provide pop in the middle of the order. The need for this is particularly evident in high-leverage moments in the postseason, when left-handed pitchers have given the Dodgers trouble. A player like this would offer the team more flexibility and ensure they aren’t overly reliant on left-handed hitters in crucial spots. Whether through a trade or a free-agent acquisition, Santa could certainly grant Roberts’ wish by bringing in a player who can hit for both average and power, especially in clutch situations.
### 3. **A Reliable Closer**
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been a source of frustration in recent seasons. While they have a wealth of talent in the relief corps, the team has struggled to consistently find a reliable closer. The absence of a true lockdown option at the back of the bullpen has been a concern for Roberts, particularly in postseason games where bullpen management becomes even more crucial.
In 2023, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol both showed flashes of dominance, but neither emerged as a clear, reliable closer for the long haul. Roberts’ letter to Santa would undoubtedly include a wish for a dependable closer who can seal the game with confidence in the ninth inning. Ideally, this would be someone with postseason experience—someone who has been in the high-pressure situations and can handle the pressure of a World Series run. Whether through free agency or a trade, a proven closer would be the gift that keeps on giving for Roberts and the Dodgers in 2024.
### 4. **Improved Postseason Performances from Key Veterans**
While the Dodgers have amassed a staggering number of division titles and regular-season victories, their postseason performances have often been marked by underachievement. Whether it’s a key injury or simply falling short in the big moments, the Dodgers’ veterans, such as Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, have yet to deliver a World Series title in recent years.
Roberts’ wish list likely includes a renewed sense of resilience and confidence from his veteran players in October. He’d hope that the likes of Kershaw can rebound from some of his playoff struggles and that Freeman and Betts continue to perform at an elite level when the pressure is at its highest. Santa might not be able to directly give these players more postseason success, but he could certainly send them a bit of postseason magic or good fortune.
### 5. **Youthful Energy from the Farm System**
Despite their big-market spending, the Dodgers have always maintained one of the best farm systems in baseball, and they continue to produce top-tier talent year after year. In 2024, Roberts would be hoping for a few young players to step into significant roles and contribute meaningfully, whether it’s in the starting rotation, the outfield, or even off the bench.
A key contributor from the farm system could be just what the Dodgers need to get over the postseason hump. Whether it’s a prospect like Diego Cartaya stepping in behind the plate, or Bobby Miller emerging as a frontline starter, these young players could offer both an energy boost and a degree of unpredictability that could propel the Dodgers to greater heights. Santa’s sleigh would be packed with all sorts of promising prospects ready to make an impact, and Roberts would be eager to see who emerges as the next Dodgers star.
### 6. **Better Team Health and Luck**
Injuries are an inevitable part of baseball, but the Dodgers have seen more than their fair share in recent seasons. In 2023 alone, they dealt with significant injuries to players like Tony Gonsolin, Max Muncy, and Julio Urías. For a team with championship aspirations, maintaining the health of key players is critical to postseason success.
While Roberts can’t control injuries, he certainly hopes Santa can deliver better luck in this department. A full season from players like Muncy, a healthier Kershaw, and a well-rested Betts would make all the difference. Roberts would undoubtedly appreciate a little extra help in the health department, which would allow his roster to be as strong as possible come October.
### Conclusion
As Dave Roberts writes his letter to Santa, he knows the gifts that will truly make a difference for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A deep and healthy starting rotation, a power-hitting right-handed bat, a reliable closer, postseason heroics from veterans, contributions from young players, and a bit of luck on the injury front—these are the gifts that would make the Dodgers a World Series contender for 2024. With these gifts under the tree, Roberts would have every reason to believe that this holiday season could mark the beginning of the Dodgers’ next great championship run.
As Roberts prepares for the 2024 season, he knows that while he can’t control everything, there’s always room for a little holiday magic. And if Santa Claus is listening, he might just make the Dodgers’ wishes come true.
