explanation of rankings and other team previews here
2008 Record: 84-78
Offseason Additions: Randy Wolf, Orlando Hudson, Guillermo Mota
Offseason Subtractions: Derek Lowe, Chan Ho Park, Takashi Saito
Ranks (MLB):
Line-Up – 7th
Rotation – 17th
Bullpen – 1st
Defense – 4th tier (out of 5)
Baserunning – 3rd tier (out of 5)
KEY PLAYER: MANNY RAMIREZ
This is an easy one. With Manny on their team last year, the Dodgers were a completely different squad. They needed some offensive help, and he provided a Barry Bonds-esque presence in their line-up. You had to game plan around one hitter, and every time he came to the plate, you had to make a decision whether to actually pitch to him. The key to Dodgers this year is whether they get the LA-Manny or the Boston-Manny. My guess is they get the LA-Manny. If there is one thing that Manny loves, it is money, and he didn’t get nearly as much as he was hoping for this offseason. He’s got to prove he is still worthly of one last contract, and that, along with the laid back LA atmosphere, will propel him to a huge season.
PLAYER TO WATCH: CLAYTON KERSHAW
Kershaw has all the making of an ace. He’s a big strong lefty with a mid-90′s fastball and a devastating curveball. His curve has the potential to be the best in the majors before he’s done, I suggest taking a look. Even though he was only 20, he was just too good to keep down in the minors for the Dodgers last season. He became just the 9th pitcher in MLB history to pitch over 100 inning, with a 8.35 K/9 ratio before his 21st birthday. Some of the other names on the list include Bob Feller, Dwight Gooden, Fernando Valenzuela and CC Sabathia. Kershaw has a lot riding on his shoulders this year with the departure of Derek Lowe. He is penciled in as the 3rd starter on a pennant contender and he can’t even legally get a drink (8 more days, Clayton!). Hopefully the pressure isn’t too much, because this kid could be a joy to watch for people (like me) who love watching great pitchers.
PHILLY ANGLE
How will Broxton recover?
Of all the moments in our playoff run this year, the one that will stick most in my mind is Matt Stairs absolutely obliterating Jonathan Broxton’s 100mph fastball into the LA night. The question for Dodgers fans is, will it stick with Broxton like it will with me? The closer who finished off the World Series for the Phillies knows a bit about this. Brad Lidge was a superstar in the making before Albert Pujols destroyed a game-winning HR off him in the playoffs. His bat not only killed the ball, but it killed Lidge’s confidence. After that HR, Lidge famously slipped the next couple years, and didn’t fully find his way back until this past season with the Phillies. Broxton could be in danger of doing the same. I can’t imagine anyone has ever hit his fastball that hard. Let alone a 40-year old hockey coach. Let alone at home. Let alone in the biggest game of Broxton’s career. It’s damn near impossible to forget something like that. Lidge couldn’t, it’ll be interesting to see if Broxton can.
QUICK HITS
Worst Contract: (Jason Schmidt 3 yrs, $47 million, ends in 2009)
Best Pitch: Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball
Best Player in a Contract Year: Jason Schmidt, SP
Top Prospect: Ethan Martin, RHP
Best Individual Season: Sandy Koufax, 1965 (26-8, 2.04 ERA, 0.855 WHIP, 335.2 IP, 382 K, Cy Young, MVP)
Worst Uniforms: 1958 (one of several teams with no bad unis)
Where’d They Come From?
- Draft, 8
- Free Agent, 4
- Trade, 2
- Amateur FA, 0
2009 OUTLOOK
1st NL West, 4th NL, 10th MLB
Had they resigned Derek Lowe, I’d probably be picking the Dodgers to represent the NL in the World Series, and I still might. They have one of the deepest line-ups in baseball with Manny at the heart, young and improving bats James Loney, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, veterans Casey Blake and Orlando Hudson and two wild cards in Russell Martin and Rafael Furcal. If Furcal stays healthy, this team is going to be really good, but I’m not sure he can do that. Martin let his emotions get the best of him against us in the playoffs and looked like a huge baby most of the time. If he has his head right, he’s one of the better hitting catchers in the league. Kershaw, Hiroki Kuroda and Randy Wolf will determine how far this team will go. I think you will see them pick up a big name pitcher at the deadline (Roy Halladay?) and represent the NL in the World Series.
Best bullpen? ESPN’s depth chart lists their bullpen as Broxton, Mota, Kuo, Troncoso, Wade, Vargas. I don’t know a whole lot about those guys but they certainly don’t over-impress me, and I definitely don’t consider Broxton a top tier closer. Although I love the Dodger’s young talent, there is no way their starting pitching staff matches up against the D-Backs.
depth? as opposed to quality. they have solid players at every position. that will help them stay healthy. that will be its only advantage. I’d rather a team with some stars that carry the load. its hard to see the whole club putting up production like they did last year. some are gonna flunk. last year they kinda rallied around each other. Kent benched or was it injured and the next player stepping in etc. Feel good story, odds on it happening again, slim. Manny gets injured, thats it for them.
gargs-
jkay-
also-
Thanks for the Dbacks love, Gargs.
From the time I graduated to the time I returned from Mexico, Manny has gone to one of my favorite players to a person I sincerely loathe. I suppose the one upside is that it provides our relatively young pitching staff with a formidable opponent that can only make them stronger in the future, while hoping that Manny lands his next contract back in the AL. He’ll also bring fans out to swim in Chase Field’s swimming pool so we’ll have more money to throw around next year.
Fair enough, Pete. You have certainly convinced me that their pen is better than I originally thought. I’m still not that high on Broxton. He’s slipped into the closer’s role a few times over the years and he’s blown a fair number of saves. For example, last year he had 14 saves and 8 blown saves. For his career, he has 19 saves and 19 blown saves. Although I can’t deny that he has some nasty stuff.