This is the latest of our 2017 team previews. Each week during spring training, we’ll preview a division with a team each day (Monday-Friday). This week: The NL West, beginning with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Up next: San Francisco Giants
LAST SEASON
91-71 (first in NL West, lost to Cubs in NLCS)
WHAT’S NEW
Key additions: 2B Logan Forsythe (trade from Rays), RP Sergio Romo (free agent from Giants), OF Franklin Gutierrez (free agent from Mariners)
Logan Forsythe
Joe Camporeale
Key subtractions: RP Joe Blanton (free agent to Nationals), OF Howie Kendrick (trade to Phillies), OF Josh Reddick (free agent to Astros), RP J.P. Howell (free agent to Blue Jays), SP Brett Anderson (free agent to Cubs), SP Jose De Leon (traded to Rays), RP Jesse Chavez (free agent to Angels), C Carlos Ruiz (trade to Mariners)
3 STRIKES
Justin Turner
Rick Scuteri
1. The band is (almost all) back together. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the way the front office approached the offseason, re-signing Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Rich Hill and Chase Utley. After winning a fourth consecutive NL West title, the Dodgers had the Cubs on the ropes in the NLCS after Game 3 – before losing the next three games and the series. But they kept their core intact and almost certainly will have better luck in the injury department. This is a deep and ridiculously talented roster with plenty of postseason experience – even among the younger players – that simply needs its rotation to stay healthy.
Corey Seager
Richard Mackson
2. They could have the MVP and Cy Young Award winners. Shortstop Corey Seager was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year in 2016 and finished third in the NL MVP voting – at age 22. And he’ll only improve defensively (18 errors) and at the plate (133 Ks) as he builds upon last season’s 40 doubles, 26 homers and 137 OPS+. And then there’s Clayton Kershaw, the near-unanimous pick for Best Pitcher on the Planet. The lefty was cruising toward his fourth NL Cy Young Award before a back injury sidelined him for two months. Kershaw is healthy now and set to return to dominance atop the rotation.
Yasiel Puig
Rick Scuteri
3. Yasiel Puig must make the most of this (final?) opportunity. After all the trade talk last season and during the offseason, even Puig has to be somewhat surprised he remains in Dodgers blue. But he is on his last second chance after his 2016 struggles resulted in an extended stay at Triple-A. He hasn’t been the same player the past two seasons that he was from 2013-14, partially because of injuries but mainly because of inconsistency. Given the Dodgers’ depth in the outfield, Puig can’t afford to fall into bad habits, lose focus or show any signs of further regression. L.A. clearly believes it can harness all of Puig's raw talent, but it’s quickly losing patience.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO
Forsythe adds a little edge to the clubhouse and lineup, the strong depth leads to better durability and the offense continues to mash (Yasmani Grandal, Justin Turner, Seager, Joc Pederson all hit 25-plus homers last season, and Adrian Gonzalez had 18) – providing more than enough support for a stellar pitching staff.
Sergio Romo
Mark J. Rebilas
WORST-CASE SCENARIO
Other than injuries, the biggest concern is the setup role following the departure of Blanton, who was lights-out (1.01 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, .194 BAA) in his first full season in relief in 2016. Romo, formerly of the rival Giants, steps into that role after a down year (1.5 HR/9, 3.80 FIP) that included elbow problems. Jansen is an elite closer, but LA can’t cough up leads before he gets the ball.
Clayton Kershaw
Joe Camporeale
SURPRISING STAT
The Dodgers used 15 starting pitchers last season, with Kenta Maeda the only one to start more than 26 games. He also led the way with 175.2 innings pitched (no other starter reached 150). Scott Kazmir (hip) already is hurting this spring, but young Julio Urias should face fewer limitations during the regular season.
BEST BETS
Projected win total (via Atlantis Casino Resort): 91.5
World Series odds (via Vegas Insider): 7/1
TOP FIVE FANTASY PLAYERS
1. Clayton Kershaw, SP: The Dodgers’ ace missed a chunk of the 2016 season due to a back injury, but is a near lock for an ERA below 2.50, WHIP below 1.00 and 11 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
2. Corey Seager, SS: He’s projected to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. So, his fantasy draft-day price is late second round and the second-best shortstop on the board.
3. Joc Pederson, OF: After hitting between .270-.320 in the three minor-league campaigns leading up to his big league debut, Pederson has only managed a .227 average in his first two full seasons. However, the power remains with 51 homers over the past two years. Pederson ranked sixth in walk rate among outfielders last year, making him a candidate for OBP roto leagues.
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B: Dating back to 2006, Gonzalez has played in 156 or more games every season.
5. Rich Hill, SP: At 37 years old, it’s hard to imagine Hill can start 30 games for the Dodgers, but interested fantasy owners are buying him for the 10.00 K/9 rate.
(Courtesy of the FOX Sports Fantasy Baseball)
PREDICTION
A fifth consecutive NL West title, but a second consecutive loss to the Cubs in the NLCS
