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Season Wrap Up

Although the Dodgers had the worst record in the 2008 playoffs it was mainly a byproduct of their poor first half. The acquisition of Manny Ramirez from Boston in a three way deal at the deadline rejuvenated this young team, giving them the experience and the potent bat they were missing up to that point. Not a bad first year managing for Joe Torre, his experience definitely made the difference in the 2008 Dodgers.

Holes to Fill

The only holes I see that need filling would be on the pitching staff now that they’ve resigned Blake and Furcal. They still need a solid fourth and fifth starter as well as bullpen help (who doesn’t).

Free Agents

The Dodgers have absurd number of players on the open market this off season (18). They are SP Mario Alvarez (24), RP Joe Beimel (31, a type B Free Agent), C Gary Bennett (36), SS Angel Berroa (30), 3B Casey Blake (35) has already signed a 3 year deal worth $17,500K to stay with the Dodgers, RP Yhency Brazoban (28), SS Rafael Furcal (31) has already signed a 3 year deal worth $30M to stay with the Dodgers, SS Nomar Garciaparra (35), SP Jason Johnson (35), 2B Jeff Kent (40, a type B Free Agent), SP Derek Lowe (35, a type A Free Agent), SP Greg Maddux (42) has chosen to retire, RP Chan Ho Park (35) has signed a 1 year contract for $2,500K to play for Philadelphia, SP Brad Penny (30), RP Scott Proctor (31), LF Manny Ramirez (36, a type A Free Agent), RP Takashi Saito (38) and 1B Mark Sweeney (39).

Most of these players, who have not already signed, will probably not be returning with exception of possibly Joe Beimel, Scott Proctor (a Torre guy) and possibly Ramirez if they get what they want this Christmas season.

The Outlook

Whether or not they resign Ramirez, they should find themselves back in the playoffs once again due to the first year under their belt that their young guns (DeWitt, Ethier, Kemp and Kershaw) now have and the added year of youngsters like Martin, Loney, Broxton and second year pitcher Kuroda. With Joe Torre at the helm, the Dodgers well equipped to tackle the 2009 season with a firm grasp of the NL West unless the Diamondbacks or Rockies can return to form next year. The whole division underachieved in 2008 if you ask me!

Off Season Moves Made So Far

Just this month, the Dodgers have re-signed 3B Casey Blake to a three-year contract with an option for 2012, 2B Mark Loretta to a one-year contract and re-signed SS Rafael Furcal to a three-year contract with a vesting option for 2012.

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