By: Peyton Schultze

2019 and Spring Training is right around the corner, as the holiday season quickly approaches for Dodger fans in Southern California.

It’s been just about one month since the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped Game 5 of the World Series to the overpowering Boston Red Sox on a cold, Los Angeles night. With that being said, Dodgers fans have had their fair share of offseason blues so far this fall, with a second straight World Series loss and little noise around the team other than departed coaches and a re-signed Clayton Kershaw. However, with the holiday season right around the corner and the hot stove about to heat up this offseason, there is plenty to look forward to in the coming months for fans of the boys in blue. Here’s our Blue Christmas wish list for the upcoming 2019 Dodger offseason and regular season just in time for the holiday spirit:

The Return of Corey Seager

Corey Seager hopes to return from Tommy John surgery last year and perform at his usual All-Star level.

Manny Machado was a gift from the Orioles to the Dodgers last season, but the return of Corey Seager at shortstop has to be very promising for the Dodgers in 2019. Coming off hip and Tommy John surgery, Seager will hope to return to the team in time for Spring Training where he should be able to touch up his hitting and fielding work before taking the field in time for the regular season. Seager, a fan favorite and potential face of the franchise for years, was missed during times last year, especially when a ball needed to be put in play instead of a strikeout. He has a knack for hitting the ball hard and being aggressive to an extent where he can find his pitch where he wants it. Machado was great last year, but with his expected departure in the upcoming free agency, the Dodgers will welcome Corey Seager back with open arms to help spark an inconsistent offense from last season.

All-Star Worthy Years from the Dominant Duo of Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler

Walker Buehler was outstanding in his rookie season, and hopes to turn into a perennial All-Star and Cy Young contender this year.

Although last season resulted in another World Series loss, the Dodgers found their big game pitcher in the young right-hander, Walker Buehler. Putting on an absolute show in Game 3 of the World Series by dominating one of the best offensive teams of all time, Buehler impressed everyone around the league and fans certainly took notice. Combine that with the first ballot Hall of Fame talents of Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers have formed a formidable duo that has a chance to match up with anyone in Major League Baseball. Regarding Kershaw, after re-signing this offseason for 3 years, 90 million, Dodger fans can only hope that he regains his fastball velocity and can continue to stay healthy. If he finds a way to do so, expect Kershaw to represent the Dodgers once again next year at the All-Star Game in Cleveland. These two pitchers should put on a showcase for the Dodgers this year and maybe, just maybe, they will be able to overcome past postseason struggles. Because it has to happen one day, right?

Little Saint Puig

A Dodger fan can only hope that Yasiel Puig once again brings his exciting style of play back to Chavez Ravine in 2019.

Yasiel Puig is everything the game of baseball could really ask for. Excitement. Passion. Bat flips. Tongue wagging. Puig does it all and he really stood out during the Dodgers’ 2018 postseason run. With a back-breaking 3 run home run in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Brewers and a missile into the night sky in Game 3 of the World Series, Puig took over for stretches during the postseason and might have been one of the most durable and consistent hitters for the Dodgers over the course year. Dodger fans want more of Puig’s game changing antics in 2019 and hope that the Wild Horse can put up an exciting year of baseball full of diving plays, huge throws, and more bat-licking action.

More of the Same From The Red Dream

The ever-so-clutch Justin Turner hopes to once again dominate in the biggest moments next year for the Dodgers.

Few players are more counted on in the biggest moments than Dodgers’ third baseman, Justin Turner, and does he really ever fail? The Red Dream, as given the nickname by Dodger analyst, Jerry Hairston Jr., has been a consistent and clutch performer over the years for the Dodgers and fans once again hope that he can put up huge numbers on offense and provide timely defense on the field. Turner has been the consistent team leader over the past few seasons for the club, and is beloved in the clubhouse by his teammates. Especially with Chase Utley’s retirement, Turner will be called upon even more to help guide this team in a positive direction. Another huge fan favorite, all any Dodger fan might want for Christmas is another great season from Turner. However, all Turner might want for Christmas is another chance to capture a ring in 2019.

Safe Health for Kenley Jansen

Closer, Kenley Jansen, hopes to have a bounce back season next year, after he struggled with inconsistent outings and a lingering heart problem.

Kenley Jansen struggled on the field at times last year and had a rough year off of it as well. Heart problems plagued Jansen’s season and caused him to miss time during the course of the season. Kenley denies that it affected his play, but it is hard to believe that the tough condition he was in did not wear him out, at least mentally. Jansen is one of the hardest working players in baseball and a staple within the sports stars of Los Angeles, so he hopes to have a much better season next year. Good news, however. Jansen underwent a heart procedure and is currently doing well. Dodger fans can only hope for Jansen’s health condition to remain well next season so they can hear more “California Love” once again when the dominant closer enters the game from the gates of the left field bullpen. Here’s to a healthy offseason, Kenley. All of Dodger Nation is pulling for you.

_ _ is Comin’ to Town

Big free agents name like former Nationals’ outfielder, Bryce Harper, will be looked at by the Dodgers this winter in their attempt to get that much closer to a title.

In the coming offseason, huge free agent names will be available for those willing to spend. The Dodgers are certainly in win-now mode and hope to find a superstar in this year’s crop to help them once again reach the World Series, but this time, win it. Pitchers such as Dallas Keuchel and Patrick Corbin dominate the starting pitching line, with otherworldly closer, Craig Kimbrel, headlining the bullpen options. However, the two biggest names in this class remain Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Machado is likely to go elsewhere after an eventful stint with the Dodgers with the expected return of Corey Seager. Yet Harper is anyone’s for the taking. While he will certainly come at a huge cost around $400 million dollars, Harper’s age and production would figure to help any team looking for his services. Look for Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers to make some big and splashy moves in free agency this winter to get the Dodgers’ roster even closer to a World Series championship.

More Belli Bombs

Cody Bellinger will ask Santa for a chance to hit even more home runs this season and build upon his enormous potential.

After a rookie season for the ages, Cody Bellinger found himself in a somewhat awkward regular season by only managing 25 home runs. However, Belli found himself in key situations throughout the postseason where he needed to come up huge. With a walkoff hit in Game 4 of the NLCS and the go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the NLCS, Cody found himself as the MVP of the 2018 NLCS and hopes to build upon that effort this year. Can he replicate the magic that we saw from him in his rookie season? Absolutely. His 5 tool skillset brings a level of excitement to this Dodger organization and his power is rarely matched by anyone in baseball. Here’s to hoping that we see some magic once again this upcoming season from the bat of the spectacular Cody Bellinger.

Another Awesome Year from Beloved Dodger Players

Players like Matt Kemp and Kiké Hernández hope to have encore performances from a special 2018 season.

One of the great attributes of this Dodger team of the past few years has been their excellent depth. With players such as Kiké Hernández, Joc Pederson, and Chris Taylor, the Dodgers have a surplus of players that can play almost anywhere on the field. However, one of the great feel-good stories of the 2018 season was the re-emergence of outfielder, Matt Kemp. Kemp, voted the 2018 Comeback Player of the Year by the MLB Players’ Association, was one of three Dodger All-Stars from last season who carried much of their offense for the first half of the season. Kemp re-established himself as someone who belonged in Hollywood with the Boys in Blue with an excellent Spring Training and a magical season, including one of the best moments of the season when he was able to score the go-ahead run off Archie Bradley and the Diamondbacks in back-to-back days in September. Kemp and the rest of the Dodgers’ crew hope to have another special year in 2019 filled with marquee moments and excitement at Dodger Stadium. Fans ought to be thankful this holiday season to have these favorites returning once again next year for another run at their first ring since 1988.

The Ever-so-Elusive Championship

The Dodgers hope to break their championship drought in 2019 to secure their first title since 1988.

Over the past 6 NL West title winning seasons, the Dodgers have been so-far unable to secure the ultimate prize: a World Series title. This upcoming season, the Dodgers hope to finally break their 31 year-old curse that has haunted them over the past few years. With the likes of Kershaw, Seager, Turner, Buehler and others, the Dodgers will once again have another serious chance to win a ring to secure their run over the years. They will have a tough matchup with heavyweight teams like the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, but the Dodgers will have to have show up with their best baseball next October, led by manager, Dave Roberts. For Dodger fans looking forward to 2019, this is their biggest wish this holiday season. And as winter turns to spring and the players head their way to Arizona for Spring Training, it will once again be time for Dodger Baseball in a season they hope to finally finish with a World Series ring.

Dodgers' Christmas Wish List