2012 Season
2012 was a 'what-if' season for the Dodgers. Their star player, Matt Kemp, struggled with injuries and was able to play in just 106 games. Much-hyped shortstop Dee Gordon struggled to get on base and was largely unable to utilise his base-stealing skills. However, the real story of the 2012 season came on August 25th, when the Dodgers pulled off a huge trade with the Red Sox, bringing in Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford in exchange for some top-level prospects and a whole lot of salary relief. This trade was preceded by a four-player deal with the Marlins that saw shortstop Hanley Ramirez move to LA, so the team that finished the 2012 season was a lot different to the one that started it. Despite this, the team finished 86-76, eight games out in the NL West race and two games out of the wildcard race.
Off-Season Moves
IN: Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, J.P. Howell, Skip Schumaker
OUT: Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Randy Choate, Juan Rivera
Overview: After missing out on Prince Fielder last year, the Dodgers were determined to get their man this season, and they did just that, signing Zack Greinke to a six year, $147 million contract. They also signed Korean lefty Ryu to a six year, $36 million dollar contract. The rotation had been a problem for the Dodgers at times last season, and these moves clearly go some way to fixing that. A one-two punch of Kershaw and Greinke is formidable and Ryu is part of a good deal of rotation strength. This off-season was an excellent follow-up to the mid-season trades, as Dodgers ownership began to stamp its authority on the team. Overall grade: 8/10
| Expected Opening Day Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR) |
| 2B | Mark Ellis | .317/.361/1.4 |
| LF | Carl Crawford | .318/.413/1.7 |
| CF | Matt Kemp | .363/.521/4.7 |
| 1B | Adrian Gonzalez | .377/.502/3.9 |
| SS | Hanley Ramirez | .356/.470/3.0 |
| RF | Andre Ethier | .359/.465/1.9 |
| 3B | Luis Cruz | .287/.390/1.9 |
| C | A.J. Ellis | .368/.375/1.8 |
| Util/2B | Skip Schumaker | .337/.358/-0.3 |
| Expected rotation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Player | Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR) |
| 1 | Clayton Kershaw | 221/2.65/6.4 |
| 2 | Zack Greinke | 222/3.45/5.3 |
| 3 | Josh Beckett | 174/3.26/2.3 |
| 4 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | 180/3.99/1.6 |
| 5 | Aaron Harang | 173/4.53/1.4 |
Position Players
My immediate thoughts when looking at the projections are that the top of the Dodgers line-up looks weak. Lead-off was a problem position for the Dodgers this year, and they seem to be willing to go with a platoon of Mark Ellis and Skip Schumaker atop the order. Hanley hasn't had an OBP above .333 since 2010, so I think the projection in that regard may be optimistic. I think A.J. Ellis is an underrated player for the Dodgers, he draws a lot of walks and has steadily improved over the last few seasons. He has all the desired traits of a lead-off hitter in my opinion, but the Dodgers seem reluctant to try that experiment.
Keeping Matt Kemp healthy and productive will be a priority for the Dodgers. At his best, he can be a 5, 6 possibly 7 win player and MVP candidate, but he will need to stay healthy to fulfil that potential. Adrian Gonzalez has settled into a groove as a .300 hitter, but the power was surprisingly reduced in Boston, and he'll look to get back towards the 35-homer mark in the NL West again. When healthy and productive, Crawford can be a spark-plug atop the order, but recovering from Tommy-John surgery may limit both his playing time and production. Overall, this is a team with a lot of upside, but the potential to be a bust. I think they need more high-OBP hitters, in particular a true lead-off guy before they can truly become an elite group of hitters. Overall grade: 8/10
Pitching
From an area of relative weakness, the Dodgers now have a dearth of starting pitching. As well as the five listed above, they can call on the production of Chris Capuano (who posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.8 WAR last season), Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly. Although the latter pair are recovering from injuries, they are still potentially productive starters, and so it wouldn't a surprised to see someone dealt before the start of the season. Atop the rotation, Clayton Kershaw has become the best pitcher in the National League and a perennial Cy Young contender, and he should be ably supported by Zack Greinke. Ryu is a bit of an unknown at the moment, but he pitched well in Korea and the Dodgers will be hoping he can become an innings-eater. Beckett has endured a lot of criticism over his performances in recent years, but actually pitched well for the Dodgers at the end of last season, and could be an underrated arm in the rotation.
The bullpen will be led by closer Brandon League, who signed a 3 year contract in the off-season. He will be ably backed up by Kenley Jansen, who excelled as closer last season before sitting out September with a heart issue. Ronald Belisario was an underrated pitcher last season for the Dodgers, and new acquisition J.P. Howell will become the lefty specialist. With all that rotation depth, the Dodgers won't be hard-pressed to find long-relief pitchers, so it appears the bullpen will be an area of considerable strength for the boys in blue. Overall grade: 9/10
Prospects
Yasiel Puig is a big strong Cuban slugger who profiles as a corner outfielder despite spending most of his time in center. He may well take the place of Andre Ethier in a few seasons time, or even share a platoon with him by September, but the Dodgers don't have enough room in their outfield to accommodate him yet. Other than that, it appears it will just be bullpen help coming from rookies this season, with lefties Paco Rodriguez and Chris Reed perhaps earning their spots on the big-league roster with impressive springs. The Dodgers system has rather been decimated by their trading however, so any major talent is a few seasons away at best. Overall grade: 4/10
Overview
This is a team that has been constructed to win, and win now. Last season was a big disappointment for the Dodgers, who will be hoping that a new-look line-up can propel them to an NL West crown. The health of Kemp and performance of Greinke will be key factors, but I like their chances to at least push the Giants all the way, with a wildcard spot an absolute must if they're unable to win the division.
Prediction: 92-70
Gif to Watch
Whereas for some teams I may have to spend some time looking around before I find a quirky GIF, that simply isn't necessary for the Dodgers. One of the main reasons Kershaw has become the finest pitcher in the NL is his devastating curveball:
Phwoar.
Keeping Matt Kemp healthy and productive will be a priority for the Dodgers. At his best, he can be a 5, 6 possibly 7 win player and MVP candidate, but he will need to stay healthy to fulfil that potential. Adrian Gonzalez has settled into a groove as a .300 hitter, but the power was surprisingly reduced in Boston, and he'll look to get back towards the 35-homer mark in the NL West again. When healthy and productive, Crawford can be a spark-plug atop the order, but recovering from Tommy-John surgery may limit both his playing time and production. Overall, this is a team with a lot of upside, but the potential to be a bust. I think they need more high-OBP hitters, in particular a true lead-off guy before they can truly become an elite group of hitters. Overall grade: 8/10
Pitching
From an area of relative weakness, the Dodgers now have a dearth of starting pitching. As well as the five listed above, they can call on the production of Chris Capuano (who posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.8 WAR last season), Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly. Although the latter pair are recovering from injuries, they are still potentially productive starters, and so it wouldn't a surprised to see someone dealt before the start of the season. Atop the rotation, Clayton Kershaw has become the best pitcher in the National League and a perennial Cy Young contender, and he should be ably supported by Zack Greinke. Ryu is a bit of an unknown at the moment, but he pitched well in Korea and the Dodgers will be hoping he can become an innings-eater. Beckett has endured a lot of criticism over his performances in recent years, but actually pitched well for the Dodgers at the end of last season, and could be an underrated arm in the rotation.
The bullpen will be led by closer Brandon League, who signed a 3 year contract in the off-season. He will be ably backed up by Kenley Jansen, who excelled as closer last season before sitting out September with a heart issue. Ronald Belisario was an underrated pitcher last season for the Dodgers, and new acquisition J.P. Howell will become the lefty specialist. With all that rotation depth, the Dodgers won't be hard-pressed to find long-relief pitchers, so it appears the bullpen will be an area of considerable strength for the boys in blue. Overall grade: 9/10
Prospects
Yasiel Puig is a big strong Cuban slugger who profiles as a corner outfielder despite spending most of his time in center. He may well take the place of Andre Ethier in a few seasons time, or even share a platoon with him by September, but the Dodgers don't have enough room in their outfield to accommodate him yet. Other than that, it appears it will just be bullpen help coming from rookies this season, with lefties Paco Rodriguez and Chris Reed perhaps earning their spots on the big-league roster with impressive springs. The Dodgers system has rather been decimated by their trading however, so any major talent is a few seasons away at best. Overall grade: 4/10
Overview
This is a team that has been constructed to win, and win now. Last season was a big disappointment for the Dodgers, who will be hoping that a new-look line-up can propel them to an NL West crown. The health of Kemp and performance of Greinke will be key factors, but I like their chances to at least push the Giants all the way, with a wildcard spot an absolute must if they're unable to win the division.
Prediction: 92-70
Gif to Watch
Whereas for some teams I may have to spend some time looking around before I find a quirky GIF, that simply isn't necessary for the Dodgers. One of the main reasons Kershaw has become the finest pitcher in the NL is his devastating curveball:
Phwoar.
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