Seeking next step, LA faces roster decisions

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers will seek an unprecedented fifth consecutive National League West title in 2017, although after their elimination by the Cubs last week, fans will settle for nothing less than the franchise’s first World Series since 1988.

The offseason to get them there will focus first on re-signing free agents Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner, or the thorny task of replacing them as closer and starting third baseman, respectively. They need to fill holes in the starting rotation and add right-handed bats that can handle left-handed pitching, which was a glaring weakness this year.

“Obviously, the results from this year were disappointing, and I think as we assess things going forward, we’re going to have to look into what we think will continue and what we think is more noise,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said of the difficulty against lefties. “There’s a number of guys that we will bet on next year, and not to overreact also. It gets back to creating the most well-balanced roster we can.”

And another big question mark is outfielder Yasiel Puig, who was nearly traded in the summer and figures to be the subject of rumors again.

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Arbitration-eligible: RP Luis Avilan, RP Louis Coleman, RP Josh Fields, C Yasmani Grandal, RP Chris Hatcher, RP Chin-hui Tsao, OF Scott Van Slyke, SP Alex Wood. OF Puig can opt out of his $6.5 million salary for arbitration, but that is unlikely.

Free agents: RHP Jansen, 3B Turner, LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Joe Blanton, RHP Jesse Chavez, LHP Rich Hill, LHP J.P. Howell, INF Chase Utley, OF Josh Reddick, C Carlos Ruiz (club option $4.5 million or $500,000 buyout), LHP Scott Kazmir (player opt out).

Rotation: Health is the big unknown for the starting rotation going into the offseason, and for the first time that means Clayton Kershaw, too, after missing 2 1/2 months with a herniated disk. It’s the type of injury that never fully goes away, but club officials said he finished the postseason feeling fine.In his first season, Kenta Maeda turned into an ironman, despite concerns over his pitching arm and elbow. Julio Urias has arrived, even if he continues to be treated with kid gloves. The Dodgers have four veteran starters coming off injuries — Kazmir, Wood, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu — with no clear idea if they can be counted …

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