LA loaded for another title run: Dodgers start early talks

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2024 season with one goal after spending more than $1 billion during the offseason, to win a World Series.

After a grueling and injury-filled year, they went into the postseason under less-than-ideal circumstances but still managed to battle their way to an eighth World Series title in franchise history.

When the Dodgers report to Spring Training in 2025, they will attempting to do something that hasn’t been achieved by any team in the past 24 seasons. The New York Yankees were the last repeat as MLB champions during their run of three consecutive titles from 1998-2000.

The streak of 24 years without a repeat champion is the longest of its kind in the history of the sport and it has been rare that a team even comes close to challenging it.

The 2009 Philadelphia Phillies and 2001 Yankees are the only defending champions in the past 24 years to make it back to the World Series. Even among non-defending champions, it is an extremely difficult task to make it to a World Series in back-to-back seasons.

Since 2002, the 2008-2009 Phillies, 2010-2011 Texas Rangers and 2017-2018 Dodgers are the only teams to appear in back-to-back World Series.

However, one advantage that the Dodgers have is they should boast a much more complete team in 2025 after being nowhere close to full strength this year.

The whole organization seems to have noticed this as well, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and multiple players expressing their excitement for the future.

As the Dodgers were basking in the celebration of their World Series title, many took to the tradition of beginning to look ahead by mentioning repeating.

Dodgers want to ‘run it back’

Dave Roberts

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was first to publicly look ahead to the 2025 World Series during the celebration at Dodger Stadium.

“One thing I know guys, they not like us! You guys wanted a parade? We got a parade! Thank you guys,” he began.

“I want to thank you fans, I want to thank you players. I love every single one of you guys. And guys, let’s get ready to run this thing back next year too.”

Freddie Freeman

The opportunity to play closer to home and compete for a World Series were the main motivations for Freddie Freeman when he signed with the Dodgers in 2022. Freeman quickly endeared himself to the fanbase and his walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series has inextricably linked him to Dodgers postseason lore.

“When I came back after my son got sick, you guys showed out for my family and I. That was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had on a field,” Freeman said.

“I was so touched. I did everything I could to get on this field for you guys, and I’m glad I did because we got a championship now. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I can’t wait to run this back next year.”

Clayton Kershaw

The face of the franchise for almost two decades, Clayton Kershaw has been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to celebrate a World Series with the city of Los Angeles after not being able to in 2020.

“I’m at a loss for words right now. I didn’t have anything to do with this championship, but I have the best feeling in the world because I get to celebrate with you guys!” Kershaw said.

“Two-time champ, and a lot more coming! Let’s go.”

Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts held the biggest contract in Dodgers’ franchise history when he signed a 12-year, $365 million deal in 2021. The returns on that investment have been pretty astounding thus far, with two World Series titles in five seasons into the contract thus far, including the Dodgers’ first since 1988.

“When I became a Dodger, it was for what, 12 or 13 years? It was a lot of years, and we’ve got two so far. We’ve got like eight, nine years left,” Betts said.

“I’ve got to get to at least five or six, right? We have to do this five or six times, right?”