While the elections are going on I figured I give people a little break with some baseball talk here eventhough many will be wrapped up in it but here it goes haha. The Dodgers will conduct an off-season with the New Owners in Walter, Kasten, and Magic Johnson and so far seem to be making strides towards winning a Championship. With the word around L.A. that Mark McGwire is expected to be hitting coach for the Dodgers, which will be huge, and not picking up players such as Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Juan Rivera to name a few the Dodgers are looking to take care of business. This year’s Free Agent class may not be what it was last season but A lot of interesting players are on this list and with the Dodgers having the money the possibilities are out there. So what will the Dodgers do and what are they tackling? Well it’s obvious right here that pitching is a good and huge need. Last season the Dodgers lost SP Ted Lily and Chad Billingsley for the season leading the Dodgers to trade for Joe Blanton from Philly and trade for Josh Beckett in that huge trade with Boston. Bullpen was something that many believed was a need as well and the Dodgers attemped to tackle that by aquiring Randy Choate (Miami) and Brandon League (Seattle). The Dodgers Pitching staff was 3rd in ERA in the MLB so what more do they have to do?
Well lets start with the Bullpen. The Dodgers ended up resigning Brandon League which was pretty obvious that they would do in this case here so that was a start but where else do they go? Randy Choate and Jamey Wright are in free angency but Wright as many believe will get resigned by the Dodgers which is something I don’t see at all nor think is something they should do. The Dodgers have some young arms in the Pen but they need to get some Playoff experiance arms. Look for the Dodgers to search in the FA Market to aleast make the Bullpen or what many call it the Box of pain less Painful. Starting pitching is figured to be pretty strong but the Dodgers really need a #2 Behind Kershaw big time. What suposively suppose to be Billingsley spot the #2 Spot have been going back and fourth and changing a lot. From Billingsley to Capuano to Harang things have changed a lot. We all know the Dodgers will likely Trade one of their Starting Pitchers not named Kershaw in the Off-season so that leave the Dodgers looking in the Market. The likely name that been floating around is Obviously Zach Grenkie who will be hitting the market after doing a half stint in Anaheim with the Angels. It won’t be easy with teams like Anaheim looking to get him back. Another name that’s on the Dodgers raidar is Anibal Sanchez from the Tigers which is someone who could be interesting to watch pitch in the NL where it’s more Pitchers oriented. Now I won’t be surprised if the Dodgers look at Ryan Dempster who was someone that came close to being a Dodger at the deadline and Kyle Lohse from the Cardinals. Both are up there in age and won’t get huge deals but I won’t be shocked and wouldn’t mind if they target them. Another guy the Dodgers should give a look at is Dan Haren from the Angels. Likely they’ll have to pick him up via trade but for a player who wants to stay in Southern Cal and a Solid Pitcher Haren would be a player who would benifit in L.A.
With most of the starting needs filled up at the Trade Deadline and Waiver wire Pitching is something that is a must for the Dodgers if they want to win. Getting a solid #2 for Starting Pitching and Bullpen help should be on L.A.’s mind. The Dodgers will work to get this done. What is the smart money on who the Dodgers will get? I predict by winter meeting the Dodgers will have Either Harang or Capuano Traded and sign Grenkie or Dempster for a #2 and see Choate being resigned by the Dodgers even though It’s not likely. Something we’ll have to keep an eye out on as things unfold.
