Los Angeles Dodgers
2010 Record: 80-82
667 RS, 692 RA, Pythagorean Record: 78-84
Manager: Don Mattingly
GM: Ned Colletti
Free Agents:
Rod Barajas, C (1, $3.25MM); Jon Garland, SP (1O, $5MM; $8MM Vesting Option); Jay Gibbons, OF (1, $650k); Matt Guerrier, RP (3, $12MM); Tony Gwynn Jr., OF (1, $675k); Hiroki Kuroda, SP (1, $12MM); Ted Lilly, SP (3, $33MM); Dioner Navarro, C (1, $1MM); Vicente Padilla, SP (1, $2MM); Marcus Thames, OF (1, $1MM); Juan Uribe, 3B (3, $21MM)
Minor League FA:
Mario Alvarez, P; Alberto Bastardo, P; Juan Castro, SS; J.D. Closser, C; Keyter Collado, C; Roman Colon, P; Brad Coon, OF; Tim Corcoran, P; Lance Cormier, P; Wilkin de la Rosa, P; Travis Denker, 2B; Damaso Espino, C; Dana Eveland, P; Hector Gimenez, C; Elian Herrera, OF; Jon Huber, P; Steven Jackson, P; Gabe Kapler, OF; Christian Lara, SS; Mike MacDougal, P; Ron Mahay, P; Orlando Mercado, C; Aaron Miles, 2B; Scott Nestor, P; Joey Newby, P; Kazuki Nishijima, P; Ivan Ochoa, SS; Trent Oeltjen, OF; Wilberto Ortiz, 3B; Alexis Pacheco, P; David Pfeiffer, P; Stu Pomeranz, P; Tim Redding, P; Michael Richard, SS; Juan Rincon, P; Robert Romero, P; Gianison Rosa, C; Abner Ruiz, P; Will Savage, P; Corey Smith, 1B; Brant Stickel, P; Kazuya Takano, P; Merkin Valdez, P; Luis Vasquez, P; Eugenio Velez, SS; Oscar Villarreal, P.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
Received Michael Antonini (P) from the Mets for Chin-Lung Hu (SS); Received Blake Hawksworth (RP) from the Cardinals for Ryan Theriot (SS); Received Anthony Jackson (OF) from the Rockies to complete the Octavio Dotel deal from last season.
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Alfredo Amezaga, SS; Garret Anderson, OF; Brad Ausmus, C; Ronnie Belliard, 2B; Pat Borders, C*; Clay Calfee, 1B; Jesus Castillo, P; Scott Dohmann, P; Seth Etherson, P; Luis Ferreras, P; Harvey Garcia, P; Geoff Geary, P; Edgar Gonzalez, P; Chris Gutierrez, SS; Gabriel Gutierrez, SS; Charlie Haeger, P; Reed Johnson, OF; Eric Krebs, P; Brent Leach, P; Esteban Lopez, C; Russell Martin, C; Justin Miller, P; Ramon Nivar, 2B; Gabriel Oviedo, P; Andres Perez, OF; Eduardo Perez, 1B; Juan Perez, P; Scott Podsednik, OF; Prentice Redman, OF; Michael Restovich, OF; Rick Rivas, P; Miguel Sanfler, P; George Sherrill, P; Pedro Tavarez, C; Eric Thompson, P; Marlon Urriola, P; Claudio Vargas, P; Cory Wade, P; Jeff Weaver, P; J.J. Whetsel, P; Cody White, P; Austin Yount, C.
* Yes, that Pat Borders. He was on the restricted list for one of the minor league teams in the Dodgers’ system and never officially retired.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Dee Gordon, SS
2. Zach Lee, RHP
3. Jerry Sands, 1B
4. Trayvon Robinson, OF
5. Kenley Jansen, RHP
6. Allen Webster, RHP
7. Rubby de la Rosa, RHP
8. Aaron Miller, LHP
9. Chris Withrow, RHP
10. Ethan Martin, RHP
11. Garrett Gould, RHP
12. Leon Landry, OF
13. Scott Elbert, LHP
14. Ralston Cash, RHP
15. Ivan DeJesus, SS
This system has seen many players take a step back. Look at where some of these guys ranked last year: Aaron Miller (4), Chris Withrow (2), Ethan Martin (3), Garrett Gould (6), Scott Elbert (5), and Ivan DeJesus (10). Dee Gordon managed to stay at the level he played at; he’s still pretty raw, but is slowly making steps forward. This will be his make or break year. I’m very high on Zach Lee; he should be, at worst, a #2 starter. Jerry Sands, unlike most in the system, is coming off a great year and could displace James Loney this season.
2010 Review:
Everything from the 2010 season came down to the McCourt Divorce. The team couldn’t spend because of the litigation, so they really didn’t upgrade before the season started. Once they could make some moves, it was too little too late.
Matt Kemp didn’t have the best season and almost played his way out of town; I don’t really believe that they considered trading him, but I could see it happen in the future.
Mid-season trades for Scott Podsednik and Octavio Dotel did little for the team; Dotel was traded shortly after being acquired and the Dodgers received less than they gave up. At least they were able to lock up Ted Lilly after the season.
2011 Preview:
The Dodgers were one of the first to make a splash in the off-season. Locking up Lilly for 3 years and bringing back Hiroki Kuroda for another season were smart moves. They both fit nicely behind Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw. Jon Garland, another new addition, fills out a nice rotation.
They may kick themselves for non-tendering Russell Martin, especially if the backstop returns to form. Rod Barajas won’t be able to equal Martin during his prime.
Another question mark will be closer; Jonathan Broxton had some troubles last season. If he begins to falter, Kenley Jansen appears to be the likely heir to the role. Matt Guerrier could also pick up saves if needed.
From the Bloggers:
Prediction:
3rd Place