2009 record: 95-67, first in NL West
Manager: Joe Torre
Key additions: OF Reed Johnson, IF Jamey Carroll, IF Nick Green
Key losses: SP Randy Wolf, OF Juan Pierre, SP Jon Garland, 1B Jim Thome, RP Guillermo Mota
Outlook: They have four playoff appearances in the last six years for the first time since the 1950s. There are a host of quality young players in Los Angeles about to hit their prime. And the Dodgers have the next great left-hander in Clayton Kershaw.
But looming over their heads like a dark cloud on the day you plan a barbecue are the divorce proceedings of owner Frank McCourt, which could signal liquidation at some point in the future.
Already, Manny Ramirez has said he is gone after this season. Same goes for manager Joe Torre. And when youthful stars such as Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, James Loney, Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton become free agents in a couple of years or so, the cash may not be there to keep them all around.
For now, that group, along with Kershaw, forms a pretty solid core that led L.A. to its winningest season since 1985 last year. So long as the owner's box doesn't create too many distractions, the Dodgers are in good shape in 2010.
If and when he improves his control, Kershaw will dominate. His 2.79 ERA was fifth in the NL, despite an ugly 91 walks in just 171 innings. Among the best indications that he is ready to move past such issues came in the second half of the season, when his strikeout-to-walk ratio increased from 1.68 to 2.69 and he had 32 walks in 71 1/3 frames.
Kershaw turns 22 on Friday.
Billingsley eyes a return to his form from two years ago, when he went 16-10 with a 3.14 ERA. Hiroki Kuroda (3.76 ERA) and Vicente Padilla (4-0, 3.20 in eight games with L.A.) give the Dodgers four capable starters. The fifth spot is up for grabs.
The bullpen is anchored by Broxton, a 36-save man in 2009. One-time closer George Sherrill proved to be a shrewd acquisition as a set-up man last year, and Ramon Troncoso gave the pen 82 2/3 innings. If Ronald Belisario’s visa issues are settled soon, he adds another quality arm.
In 2009, L.A. tied the New York Mets (yes, the Mets) for the top team batting average in the league and led the senior circuit with a .346 on-base percentage. It’s a lineup with few holes, although Martin is questionable for opening day due to a groin issue.
A key to the Dodgers maintaining a potent attack, or improving what they had in 2009, is having Ramirez show that his sluggish second half was not a sign of things to come. He hit just .218 after August.
L.A. owes over $15 million this year to players no longer with the club, including Nomar Garciaparra. Add in a little alimony, and times are tight in Chavez Ravine. The window of opportunity, however, is still open.
What it means to the Red Sox: Manny comes to town in June. ‘Nuf said.
