2009 MLB Preview - Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers
Manager: Joe Torre (2nd season)
2008 Record: 84-78 (1st NL West)
Postseason: ALDS Win vs. CHC, ALCS Loss to PHI

Added: 2B Orlando Hudson (ARZ), IF Mark Loretta (HOU), SP Randy Wolf (HOU), Jeff Weaver (SEA), RP Claudio Vargas (NYM), RP Guillermo Mota (MIL)
Lost: RP Takashi Saito (BOS), RP Chan Ho Park (PHI), RP Scott Proctor (FLA)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. SS Rafael Furcal (.357, 54 R, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 8 SB) 2. RF Andre Ethier (.305, 95 R, 20 HR, 77 RBI) 3. C Russell Martin (.280, 87 R, 13 HR, 69 RBI, 18 SB) 4. LF Manny Ramirez (.332, 102 R, 37 HR, 121 RBI) 5. CF Matt Kemp (.290, 93 R, 18 HR, 76 RBI, 35 SB) 6. 1B James Loney (.289, 66 R, 13 HR, 90 RBI) 7. 3B Casey Blake (.271, 74 R, 21 HR, 81 RBI) 8. 2B Orlando Hudson (.305, 54 R, 8 HR, 41 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Chad Billingsley (16-10, 3.14 ERA, 201 K) 2. Hirodi Kuroda (9-10, 3.73 ERA, 116 K) 3. Clayton Kershaw (5-5, 4.26 ERA, 100 K) 4. Randy Wolf (12-12, 4.30 ERA, 162 K) 5. James McDonald (Rookie)

Bench
IF Blake DeWitt, IF Mark Loretta, OF Juan Pierre, OF Jason Repko

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Johnathan Broxton (14 SV, 69.0 IP, 54 H, 88 K, 3.13 ERA), Hong-Chiu Kuo, Guillermo Mota, Claudio Vargas, Cory Wade

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Fantasy Studs: C Russell Martin, OF Manny Ramirez, OF Matt Kemp
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Andre Ethier, SP Clayton Kershaw

Men In The Minors: IF Ivan DeJesus, OF Andrew Lambo, SP Ethan Martin, SP Scott Elbert, SP Josh Lindblom

Home Ballpark: Dodger Stadium (Grade 7/10)

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Team Outlook: I'm really torn on this team. The lineup may be the best in baseball but the starting rotation is definitely in the bottom half of MLB. We'll start with the lineup. What's so dangerous about this lineup is that they are solid in every aspect. If it's getting on base you want, then not one player had an batting average less than .270 last season. If if it's speed you want, you'll see that in at least 3 players in Furcal, Kemp and Martin. And don't forget the speedy Pierre off the bench. And if it's power, well, that's covered as well. But the pitching is where it matters for this team. Billingsley is budding into a star. Kuroda started strong but ended with a thud. A big thud. Kershaw has tons of potential but when will he realize it is the big question. Randy Wolf has always been a .500 pitcher. And rookie James McDonald, well, who knows? This rotation is not strong and in the end, may really hurt this team. The bullpen is anchored by Broxton, who was strong last season but didn't close the entire year. This team has all the potential in the world to be the highest-scoring team in baseball. But if the pitching doesn't keep up with its hitting, then this is not going to a happy ending in Hollywood.

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