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Today we cover the most talked about team in the NL West, The Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers

Last Season’s Result: 84-78, 1st place in the NL West.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added SP Randy Wolf (Signed from Houston)
• Added 2B Orlando Hudson (Signed from Arizona)
• Added RP Guillerm Mota (Signed from Milwaukee)
• Added IF Mark Loretta (Signed from Houston)
• Added C Brad Ausmus (Signed from Houston)
• Lost SP Greg Maddux (Retired)
• Lost 2B Jeff Kent (Retired)
• Lost RP Joe Beimel (Unsigned free agent)
• Lost SP Derek Lowe (Signed with Atlanta)
• Lost IF Nomar Garciaparra (Signed with Oakland)
• Lost SP Brad Penny (Signed with Boston)
• Lost SP Jason Johnson (Signed with New York Yankees)
• Lost RP Chan Ho Park (Signed with Philadelphia)
• Lost RP Scott Proctor (Signed with Florida)
• Lost RP Takashi Saito (Signed with Boston)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: D+ The Dodgers did a nice job in adding Orlando Hudson, but despite this and the retaining of Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers are worse off now than they were last October.

• Rotation Grade: C+ This group was among the league’s best in 2008, but the loss of ace Derek Lowe and veteran leader Greg Maddux has set them back quite a bit. Chad Billingsley had a great season as the team’s #3 starter, but now moves into the top spot. Behind him are second-year men Hiroki Kuroda and Clayton Kershaw, each of whom did a fine job in their debut seasons. Still all three men are unproven in their current roles, and the back-up isn’t exactly all that reliable. Randy Wolf, Jason Schmidt, and Shawn Estes will round out the rotation, but they combined to start just 41 games in 2008 (33 by Wolf, the first time he started at least 25 games since 2003, and he’s the HEALTHY ONE!) and only 24 games in 2007.


• Bullpen Grade: C The second-best unit in the NL on 2008 is back after a large makeover. Takashi Saito, Chan Ho Park, Joe Beimel, and Scott Proctor have all left via free agency. Jonathan Broxton starts the season as closer, but has never held down this job for a full season.

• Lineup Grade: B+ I really like this lineup, and with Manny playing the entire season and the younger sluggers a year older, this could be something special. I don’t like that financial concerns may give Juan Pierre more at-bats than he deserves, but this team should score a lot of whether Pierre’s corpse gets 100 or 300 plate appearances.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Jason Schmidt. If the Dodgers can get 25 starts from Schmidt then they have a chance this season. The 1-3 starters are probably going to replicate their 2008 seasons, but that won’t make up for the loss of Derek Lowe and Greg Maddux. Randy Wolf and Jason Schmidt are being counted on to fill this void. I think Schmidt is the shakier bet, and so he gets the nod here.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: Chad Billingsley. The Buzzsaw had a great season in 2008, and returns in 2009 as the Dodgers’ ace. Manny will draw the cameras and attention, and that will set the stage for Billingsley to gain national attention.

Best Case Scenario: To get 130 starts from the opening day rotation. If inconsistency and injury creeps into the rotation as I fear it may, the season is a lost cause. If they stay healthy they’ll compete to the end for the division title.

Worst Case Scenario: The young guys don’t progress, and the veteran end up on the DL once again. This team could finish in the low 70’s in wins with a few tough breaks.

Prediction for 2009: 86-76. 2nd place in the NL West.

Local Thoughts

We got a lot of responses from LA blogs, although Alyssa did not join in (sigh). The bloggers who did write back were Robert Daeley of www.trolleydodger.com, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA, and finally the Sons of Steve Garvey's Steve Sax.

By: Our leadoff preview comes from Steve Sax of the Sons of Steve Garvey

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves:

I'd give the Dodgers a B, straight up. Last week's signing of Manny, after an offseason of pain watching ice melt as "negotiations": (read: name-calling) transpired, should have left a bitter taste in my mouth. But Ramirez' crazy smile and dreadlocks have chased that away. This is probably a one-year deal, but at least it's structured as a "walk" year where Ramirez will have incentives to perform, if not for one year, then probably for both years. And we do love him, mostly as he will protect all the other youngsters' bats who are just hoping to break out. Furcal, Hudson, Ramirez, Loney, Kemp, Martin, Ethier, and Blake seem like a pretty good 1-8 lineup, the best we've had (on paper) in years (at least, since Juan Pierre was thrust upon us like a plague).

Ned and Frank still lose points for not signing a quality arm when Sabathia, Burnett, et al were all on the market. We lost Penny and Lowe and got nothing in return. So we'll see if we can bandage a pitching staff together that can take us deep into games.

• Most Essential:

Without the obvious Manny as an option, I'd have to say it's Furcal. His departure from the team last year due to injury was a big miss. We'll need him back, healthy, and productive in the leadoff spot, as well as aggressive up the middle (and probably more so now that he doesn't have to shade over to second to cover for Jeff Kent's creaking bones).

• Breakout Potential:

I'm betting Russell Martin comes back big after a mediocre sophomore year. His HR last night in the WBC for Canada indicates that he might have some pop back. And if Torre is smart enough to rest him every once in a while, we've got a shot at keeping him loaded for the stretch run. The other player is Clayton Kershaw, who used last year to get over his mythical hype and get used to the bigs. If he can be a solid #3 or better in the starting rotation, we'll be fine.


• Prediction for 2009:

The NL West remains pretty weak. I bet the Dodgers get 88 wins but finish in first, make the playoffs--and then all bets are off!

By: Robert Daeley of www.trolleydodger.com is the middle of today's lineup.

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: After the Manny signing, an A minus. Getting Raffy back, signing Orlando Hudson, and not really blocking any of the kids is a good thing. Ideally, you'd want more power at 3B, but if Casey Blake is your #8 hitter, you're doing pretty good.

• Most Essential: Apart from that one guy we finally signed this week, I would say Chad Billingsley. If he can continue maturing into the ace he has the stuff to be, and the off-season broken leg doesn't hold him back, our "questionable" pitching staff is going to be just fine.

• Breakout Potential: I can't wait to see what Matt Kemp can do with a full-season as our starting center fielder and in the same lineup as Manny. On the pitching side of the house, I think James McDonald has a chance to turn heads this year.

• Prediction for 2009: Last year, they finished 84-78 and won the division. With a further weakened NL West, I can see the Dodgers pulling off what the Phillies did last year in the regular season -- 92-70 -- winning the West again and making a great push for the playoffs. Incense is lit and fingers are crossed.

By: The PSP Local Thought's cleanup hitter is Mr. Eric Stephen of True Blue LA

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: B+, led by Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal

• Most Essential: Manny

• Breakout Potential: Matt Kemp, with Clayton Kershaw close behind.

• Prediction for 2009: 90-72, 1st place in the NL West


Thanks to all for the great help!!!