Looking Forward to 2008: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers come off a disappointing 4th place finish in 2007, they needed needed a new look, not only on the field, but in the dugout as well.

After the Dodgers fired manager Grady Little, like the Lakers, they brought in a familiar face to the sports world, former long time Yankee manager Joe Torre. Could this mean a new era in Dodgertown, especially with the team in it's final spring training season in Vero Beach, FL, making the move to Arizona in 2009.

Torre wasn't the only big move the Dodgers would make, bringing in former Braves' CF Andruw Jones (2-years $36.2M) to be their new center fielder, possibly forcing Juan Pierre to left field or possibly to a bench role.

Arrivals:

CF Jones

RHP Kuroda

C Gary Bennett

Departures:

OF Luis Gonzalez

LHP Mark Hendrickson

RHP Roberto Hernandez

3B Shea Hillenbrand

C Mike Lieberthal

INF Ramon Martinez

C Chad Moeller

INF Olmedo Saenz

RHP Rudy Seanez

INF Mark Sweeney

RHP Chin-hui Tsao

LHP David Wells

LHP Randy Wolf

Not only was Jones a big addition for the Dodgers, but they also landed Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda (3-years $53.3M). Though this is his first year in the big leagues, the Dodgers think highly of him and believe he'll add depth to their starting rotation. Though, the Dodgers will have a few unknowns going into 2008, mainly the health of Jason Schmidt. Without Schmidt, the Dodgers still have a rotation that will win you a lot of games with Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and another new addition in Esteban Loaiza.

On the offensive side, the Dodgers also seem very strong. Veteran 2nd baseman Jeff Kent returns to what could be his final season in the big leagues, along with catcher Russell Martin, SS Rafael Furcal, 1st baseman James Loney and young outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. The one question will be with outfielder Juan Pierre, with the addition of Jones along with Kemp and Ethier, could the Dodgers look to trade him before the end of spring training?

Prediction Time:

Though the Dodgers look good on paper, their success will depend on what kind of year Andruw Jones has, if their pitchers stay healthy and Jason Schmidt is 100% when he returns. Bare in mind, they're in a division that is considered one of the best in baseball with the deepest pitching staffs in the national league, with exception to possibly the NY Mets.

Dodgers - 88-74