2008 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers (of Los Angeles)

The Boys in Blue enter this year with more questions than answers. After staking out the N.L. West division lead during 2007, a second half collapse saw the clubhouse torn apart into warring factions of youth vs. experience (see Democratic Party, 2008 Primary) and championship hopes evaporate into a fourth place finish. With the division even tougher this year, questions abound as to whether the team has adequately addressed their weaknesses in order to make a run this year. Consequently, expectations range anywhere from the World Series to the cellar.

Pitching Staff

The Dodgers’ starting rotation has the potential to be among the best in the National League, but red flags abound among the starters. Brad Penny has proven to be a true number one starter, but has shown a tendency to wear down late in the season. The Dodgers need him to start pitching well in August and September to not only make the playoffs, but to do something when they get there. Derek Lowe and Jason Schmidt would be great if this was 2003, but it’s 2008 and the pitches keep piling up on those arms. To be honest, I think Dodgertown would be happy if one of these two guys were still healthy in September. Chad Billingsley is an exciting young power pitcher with legitimate all-star potential. However, he has shown a tendency to walk far too many hitters, and then give up the big home run. Will he improve on these issues this year, or will he experience a bit of a sophomore slump? Esteban Loaiza could make big contributions if he finds his 2003 form, but he’s more likely to find his way to the trading block. The real buzz is surrounding the Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda. If he is the real deal, he could be the boost needed to compete with the top-heavy rotations of Arizona and San Diego.

The Dodgers feel pretty confident about at least one thing this season. If they take a lead on you to the seventh inning, they are going to get the win. The Killer B’s (sorry Astros’ fans, it’s ours now) of Beimel, Brazoban, and Broxton make up the strongest setup crew in baseball. Throw in old man Scott Proctor for comic relief, and Dodgers super fan Alyssa Milano for token frontal nudity, and you have the makings of a successful Hollywood summer release. Mopping up is All-Star Takashi Saito, who proved last year he is the Dodgers’ answer at closer to the post-Gagne steroids free era. With bullpen problems plaguing many other National League teams, the Dodgers are hoping to steal more than a few games on the strength of relief pitching alone.

Dodger Offense

The offense has been a struggle since, well, the early 1980s. Despite the appearance of Dodgers’ stationary in the Mitchell Report, they never bought into the power game, and, for the last few years, the “scoring any runs” game. There is some reason for hope this year. Russell Martin is a proven bat, and should produce provided the Dodgers find someone to spell him at catcher. Jeff Kent still has some pop, as a mammoth shot in Houston I witnessed last year proved, but needs protection from the other guys. James Loney, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier make up an exciting trio of great young hitters. They may not have the power most fans like to see, but they can smack the ball around inside the park. As these guys go, so the offense of the 2008 Dodgers will go. The recent struggles of Andruw Jones have been well documented, but the Dodgers hope the fresh start and reunification with good friend Rafael Furcal will help him find his All-Star form. Speaking of Furcal, word is that the ankle has healed nicely, and he should be vastly improved from 2007. Juan Pierre’s contract is still on the team, but be afraid should you see the poor man’s Ichiro in the starting lineup. The Dodgers have high hopes that prospect Andy La Roche will finally be ready for the show after tearing up the minors the last three years. An injury will prevent him from being the opening day starter, leaving the spot open for Mr. Mia Hamm (Nomaah!!!). Garciaparra’s bat isn’t what it used to be (thank you Captain Obvious), but he can still put the ball in play. The question is whether he can get it past the pitcher’s mound. In summary, there’s no question that the Dodgers can get hits, but we will see if they can get any of those runs across the plate.

Dodger Defense

In 2007, the Dodgers insisted on killing themselves with costly errors and base running gaffs. On the personnel side, the Dodgers did not do anything to address the fielding problems that plagued them last year. Jeff Kent has an underrated glove, but his range at 2nd gets worse every year. Hopefully, Furcal’s range at short will improve with his health, but there are no guarantees there. In theory, the outfield will be strong with some combination of Ethier and three centerfielders – Jones, Kemp, and Pierre. Of course, Kemp can’t catch, so hopefully he’s worked on that. Loney is serviceable at 1st, and Martin is good enough at catcher. In summary, the hope is that with some hard work during spring training, the Dodgers will have improved just enough to keep from losing games on defense, though no one expects them to win anything in the field.

2008 Additions:
Joe Torre – The word from camp is that Torre is loving every minute as the Dodgers skipper. He gets the tradition and history of a great franchise, but very little of the New York media pressure. He is also pumped about coming back to the National League, which I believe is the key to this team. Grady Little was an American League guy, and he simply refused to bunt and move runners, expecting runs to just create themselves. My guess is that Torre understands that he will have to manufacture runs, much like his early Yankee teams, and I believe this will be the pivotal difference in the success of the 2008 squad.
Jason Schmidt – Since he didn’t do much last year, let’s call this a fresh start in 2008. When he was signed, the Dodgers envisioned a 1A-1B situation with Penny. If he can just be a somewhat reliable starter this year, it will be a huge boost to the rotation.
Andruw Jones – The Dodgers took a two-year flyer on Jones, and, unlike most people, I like this signing. It’s only two years, so it won’t hurt us in the long run when we need to lock up some of these young players. Even better, he has the motivation of two contract years to market himself to other teams, so I expect him to play well. In the end, since we have the revenue, I appreciate the ownership spending the money for a quick stopgap without sacrificing the long-term interests of the team.
Hiroki Kuroda – With these Japanese pitchers, you never know whether you are getting Dice-K or Hideki Irabu. The Dodgers are hoping he can be consistent starter and add some stability to a rotation that was hurting at the end of last year
Mark Sweeney – I love this signing. Instead of wasting money on a big name free agent, you bring in a great clubhouse guy with veteran leadership and one of the most clutch pinch-hitters in the league. Sweeney will be the key to many late inning victories this year, and could be the guy who puts this team over the top.

2008 Subtractions
N/A, except NBA veteran Mark Hendrickson – Addition by subtraction in this case. Hey Mark, I hear the Suns need some help…

In the end, the key to 2008 for the Dodgers, like every other team, is chemistry. Twenty years ago, an over-matched Dodgers team played with heart and spunk against the mascots of the Steroid Era from Oakland, scoring a dramatic World Series victory. Since then, no Dodgers team has won a playoff series. Despite the treacherous competition of the NL West, Torre needs to lead this team to the NLCS in order to call it a successful season. If “dem Bums” can play together as a team, I think they can.