Jan 08 2009
NL West Projections: Lineups, Rotations (Los Angeles Dodgers)
The Los Angeles had numerous free agents going into this offseason and they have brought a few of them back, with still one big one remaining on the market in Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers have re-signed free agents shortstop Rafael Furcal and third baseman Casey Blake. They are still negotiating with outfielder Manny Ramirez and his agent, Scott Boras. Boras wants a huge four or five year deal worth about 100 million and 25 million a year annualy for his client. However, that might be to deep and sweet for the Dodgers to bite into and might move on to other big bats left on the market, primarily Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu or Garrett Anderson as fallback options. So look for the Dodgers to either re-sign Manny Ramirez or sign Adam Dunn to fill their left field void. The Dodgers also have restructured Andruw Jones contract and will save 12 million off their books and only pay Jones 5 million, whether they trade him (which is unlikely) and release him (more likely). The Dodgers have signed Claudio Vargas on a low-risk one year deal to help shore the bottom two spots of their rotation. Other contenders for the two remaining spots in the rotation are Jason Schmidt, looking to comeback from injury, and upcoming prospect pitcher James McDonald. I would say look for the Dodgers to sign one more starter or reliever to their staff and a corner outfielder. But if Dodgers get Manny, I would have to say they are the favorites to win the NL West, and not the Giants.
Projected Lineup:
1 Rafael Furcal SS- speedy leadoff hitter with some gap to gap power, looking to rebound after an injury-riddled season in 08′.
2 Matt Kemp CF- one of the upcoming players in the major leagues and a speedy outfielder with some pop in that bat
3 Russell Martin C- All-Star Catcher the past two seasons, enough said!
4 Adam Dunn or Manny Ramirez LF- both power hitting outfielders, but Ramirez the better and more impact-type player.
5 James Loney 1B- had a solid season in 2008 and was clutch in the playoffs.
6 Andre Ethier RF- Hit .305 20HR 77RBI in 2008.
7 Casey Blake 3B- Hit .275 21HR 81RBI in 2008.
8 Blake Dewitt 2B- replaces Jeff Kent as the everyday second baseman.
Projected Rotation:
SP1 Chad Billingsley- young stud, upcoming player like Lincecum of the Giants, ace of this staff!
SP2 Hiroki Koruda- moves to the #2 spot in the rotation with the loss of Derek Lowe and Brad Penny.
SP3 Clayton Kershaw- Kershaw got a mini-taste of what the playoffs is like. At 20 years old, look for him to grow up and breakout in 2009.
SP4 Jason Schmidt- Schmidt looks to make a comeback and return to his old form when he was with Giants after some injuries hurt him the last two seasons.
SP5 Claudio Vargas- Low-risk deal gives him a shot to anchor this rotation as the #5 guy. If he falters, James McDonald or another prospect can get a look.
Closer Jonathan Broxton- This big framed, power pitcher who throws in the upper 90’s looks to be the everyday closer in 2009, rather than the fill-in closer/setup guy as he was in 08′.
