Article Written By: Julian Beck
Los Angeles Dodgers
2013 Record: 92-70 (First in NL West)
Key Additions: Dan Haren, Alex Guerrero, Chris Perez, Jamey Wright, Mike Baxter.
Key Loses: Ricky Nolasco, Chris Capuano, Mark Ellis, Skip Schumaker, Michael Young (retired), Nick Punto, Jerry Hairston (retired), Edinson Volquez, Carlos Marmol (unsigned).
Important players for 2014: Clayton Kershaw, Zach Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chad Billingsley, Dan Haren, Kenley Jansen, Hanley Ramirez, Juan Uribe, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez.
The Los Angeles Dodgers lost out on Tanaka, but they still look to be among the favorites to contend for a World Series title in the season ahead. They have strengthened the bullpen with the re-signing of Brian Wilson and J.P. Howell and additions of Chris Perez and Jamey Wright. Adding Dan Haren also improves the back end of the rotation.
The rotation had a solid core to start the season in 2013 and will continue to throw out the same core in 2014; Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu. Chris Capuano was having a stellar first half also. Then the Dodgers added Ricky Nolasco and Edison Volquez at the trade deadline to help them make a World Series push. They both did well for Los Angeles, but weren’t going to be signed at seasons end.
Clayton Kershaw is the heart and soul of this pitching staff. He is the best pitcher in all of baseball and there is no arguing that. He has amazing control and movement on all of his pitches. Kershaw has the ability to step on the mound and shut down any team he faces. He helps the bullpen by going deep into games and allowing them to rest. He also doesn’t need much run support to help him win a game; one run can be enough for Kershaw to win.
Number two in this pitching rotation is Zach Grenike. In seasons past Greinke has been the ace for the Royals, Brewers, and even the Angels when Jarred Weaver went down with an injury. Kershaw and Greinke creates one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball. Greinke is a great pitcher that relies on his defense to collect his outs for him now. He used to be a strikeout pitcher but has lost a tad on his velocity and has done an amazing job allowing his defense to work. It allows him to throw deeper into games and, the longer he goes, the better he gets on that mound.
Ryu was a great surprise in baseball in 2013. He didn’t over power many teams, but he is a very smart pitcher that relies on his pitch location. When he locates his pitches he allows the opponents to get themselves out. He also had many games last season where he looked very dominate and should continue his success in 2014.
The X-Factor of this pitching staff is Kenley Jansen. He was one of the most dominate closers in all of baseball in 2013 striking out batters at a unreal pace and was converting most of his saves. He will have plenty of opportunities to collect his saves this season and should be locked in as a top 3 closer in the MLB.
This offense is one of the scariest in all of baseball. The lineup is well balanced with contact hitters, players that can reach base on a consistent basis, and much needed power hitters that can drive in runs.
The heartbeat of this offense is superstar Yasiel Puig. Before being called up in 2013 the Dodgers were six games below .500, and at seasons end were 22 games above .500. Puig was the much needed spark plug Los Angeles needed and looks to continue to play stellar baseball in 2014. He is a 5 tool player and plays at 120% every single second he is on the field. He has a rocket for an arm, makes great contact, hits for jaw dropping power, and is so fast that it makes you scratch your head. Puig made amazing play after play in right filed with his laser arm and great hustle. At the plate he has won games single handedly. He should continue to carry his success from 2013 into the 2014 season.
Adrian Gonzalez is the RBI machine of this ball club. He is one of the best hitters in the National League. Gonzalez is as consistent as they come. He has the ability to hit for contact to all parts of the field and has great power in his sweet left handed swing. When he is on fire this offense is hard to cool down.
Andre Ethier looks to bounce back from a down 2013 season. Many teams figures him out but as the season rolled on he was able to gain his confidence back and started turning his season around. Ethier is a great contact hitter and has a great ability to reaching base by the walk. Look for Ethier to have things turned around in 2014.
Hanley Ramirez had an amazing 2013 season, staying healthy for most the second half of the season. Once he started taking over at shortstop on a daily basis he was playing some of the best baseball in the league during the second half, tearing the seams off the ball and driving in runs. If Ramirez is able to stay healthy for all of 2014, look for him to have a career year.
Juan Uribe was very clutch for the Dodgers last season, coming up with game winning hits or hits that tied the game up, in an effort to bounce back from a down 2012 season. He also played some of the best third base in all of baseball in 2013, coming up with incredible plays that prevented runs from scoring on a daily basis.
The X-Factor for 2014 will be Matt Kemp. When healthy Kemp is one of the most dominant players. He is another 5-tool player on this ball club. He has been battling injuries since last season and looks to stay healthy in 2014. The Dodgers are taking their time on letting him heal and it will pay off for them. Kemp makes great contact and is able to drive in runners when they are in scoring position. He is also able to play Gold Glove center field. Look for Kemp to stay healthy in 2014 and get back to his MVP type of play.
The Los Angeles Dodgers look to be one of the favorites to win the World Series in 2014. They have one of the most complete teams in all of baseball. Having a great bullpen with pitchers that know their roles, and succeed at it. Their starting rotation has a great core in Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu. Dan Haren and Paul Maholm will give them depth for the 4 and 5 starters. Kenley Jansen is a dominate closer that will have plenty of opportunities in 2014. The Dodgers will once again look to win the NL West and compete for a World Series.
