Well, after the Marlins preview, let's see who the hat has to check out today...

Hmm, we stay in the National League.

Los Angeles Dodgers - Team Preview

Well, so much of the Dodgers having the most talented group of youngsters in the division.  After a decision to commit too long to the veteren's, the Dodgers have instead decided to embrace their youthful core for the lack of better alternatives.  Still blessed with a solid farm system and a lot of pitching talent, the Dodgers aren't going to be a foe to be triffled with this season.  Still, there are some weaknesses on this team, mostly due to vets that have no business starting likely to be started anyway, thanks to Joe Torre.

Starting Rotation

• Brad Penny (RHP) – Underrated by many, Penny is a top of the rotation starter that can flat out dominate when he’s healthy.  His contract is a steal and the Dodgers wisely held onto him last season after debating about shopping him around.  It’s almost a sure bet that he’ll get his club option exercised next season, giving the Dodgers an extra season before bringing up uberprospect Clayton Kershaw.
• Chad Billingsley (RHP) – A good young pitcher, Billingsley showed last season that he could become a top of the rotation starter if given the chance to prove himself.  With a good combination of stuff and poise, Billingsley should rise through the rotation and establish himself as the next staff ace.
• Derek Lowe (RHP) – Lowe is an innings eater that will generate a lot of groundballs and should post respectable numbers.  All in all, it probably would have been best for Boston to keep him, as he was a good fit for their park, but overall he’s done rather well for himself in LA and should look to cash in free agency next season.
• Hiroki Kuroda (RHP) – The latest Japanese Import, Kuroda is a decent pitcher.  His fastball clocks in the high 80’s/low 90’s with some sink and he’s got a good curveball and a decent breaking ball.  He commands all of his offerings well, however, and though he had a bit of elbow trouble, it was cleared up by Dr. Lewis Yocum.  All in all, he’s a solid bet to be a good number four starter and isn’t expensive. 
• Jason Schmidt (RHP) – Well, it turns out the Giants did know what they were doing when they didn’t make a bigger push to keep their ace.  Schmidt is likely going to be the fifth man in the rotation due to his need for a slow recovery from shoulder surgery, and will likely never be the guy that the Dodgers hoped they signed.  But he could be a very good middle of the rotation man if he successfully bounces back.

Bullpen

• Takashi Saito (Closer) – One of the more effective closers in baseball, and one of the bigger bargains to boot, Saito is money in save opportunities, though I would caution that he is older and he has a lot of mileage on his arm.  Grady Little actually did a good job of keeping him fresh and not abusing him.  The man replacing him isn’t as kind.  Still, a decent season should be expected from him. 
• Jonathan Broxton (Setup Man) – The Dodgers’ closer of the future, Broxton is built like a bull and has great stuff to go with it.  He’s also a prime candidate to be overused by Joe Torre.
• Joe Beimel (LHP) - A dependable lefty that shouldn't be in anymore bar fights anytime soon, Beimel helps augment what should be a dynamite setup corps.
• Hong Chi Kuo (LHP) – Kuo had the stuff to be a starter, but not the stamina.  So, he returns to the middle relief/swingman role that he did well in back in 2006.
• Scott Proctor (RHP) – The one guy that was probably the least thrilled about Joe Torre coming to LA?  Proctor, who was overused by Torre during his time in New York as Torre lost confidence in reliever after reliever and kept on using his old reliables.  Proctor likely could have had a long career as a setup man if Torre wasn’t
• Esteban Loaiza (RHP) – The odd man out of the rotation mix, Loaiza was awful in his limited innings as a Dodger and now will have to accept a swingman role unless he wants out completely. 
• Rudy Seanez (RHP) - A retread of sorts, Seanez isn't exactly an elite reliever anymore, but as long as the Dodgers don't overexpose him, he should be a servicable reliever at best.

Starting Lineup

• Rafael Furcal (SS) – Still a good shortstop with a solid bat, power and speed, Furcal is entering the last year in his deal and wants a contract extension to stay with LA.  I don’t think it’ll happen, now with Hui down in Triple A ready to start, so expect Furcal to have a solid year before leaving LA to go elsewhere, giving the Dodgers some nice draft picks in the process.
• Juan Pierre (LF) – Does Pierre deserve to be starting ahead of the more talented Andre Ethier?  #### No.  Does that mean he will?  Yes, because we have seen throughout the ages that there is one common trait about Joe Torre.  He always starts his veteran’s and won’t start a youngster unless he has no choice.  In this case, he’ll likely start Pierre in left, where his speed should help him, but other than that, he’s got little value.
• James Loney (1B) – A nifty young player that the Dodgers finally appear to be done screwing wtih, Loney has a solid bat with plenty of power potential and should be a solid middle of the order presence for years.
• Andruw Jones (CF) – Last season’s down year resulted in Jones going from the top centerfielder on the market to a considerable risk.  I do credit the Dodgers for getting him at two years, as if he bombs, they’ll only be on the hook for one more year, unlike Juan Pierre.  Jones is still a good defensive center fielder who hits for power and shows some patience, but he also lengthens his swing as he tries to crush the ball and he’s lost a step as far as his speed goes.  Still, he’s an excellent buy and should give the Dodger lineup more thunder. 
• Jeff Kent (2B) – Kent can still hit and he’s still a reliable power source in the middle of the order, but he has no business playing second base anymore.  He really should be either at first base or a DH, but he doesn’t seem inclined to do either.  Still, expect Kent to put up some serious numbers here, especially if the Dodgers finally allow Kemp and Loney to stay in everyday and not want to switch to retreads and vets with nothing left in the tank.
• Matt Kemp (RF) – Kemp has all the tools to be a superstar, as he could become a power hitting right fielder in the mold of a J.D. Drew, but he’s still raw in several facets of the game.  Nonetheless, these flaws will only be worked out with playing time, so the Dodgers need to play him, as he is a big part of the Dodgers’ future once some of the vets move on.
• Russell Martin (C) – One of the best young catchers in the NL, Martin was probably a bit overworked last season, but his offensive performance didn't suffer much for it.  Overall, I think he's a great young player that should continue to be a presence in the lineup.   Also, he'd be a nice fit hitting second, but that likely won't happen.
• Nomar Garciaparra (3B) –Nomar is no longer the offensive player he was and he’s too brittle for the hot corner, so I’m not sure why Torre would start him, as his power is gone and all he really is able to do is hit for a superficially high average.  But, as I said, Torre won’t start kids unless he has no choice, meaning that the Dodgers will see a lot of Nomar hitting 8th.

Bench

• Andre Ethier (COF) – Ethier would be a solid left fielder, but it seems that the Dodgers are determined to get as much use out of Juan Pierre's contract as possible.  Plus, knowing Torre's affinity for Vets, and it's likely that Ethier will strictly be used in pinch hit duty until Pierre plays himself out of the lineup.
• Andy LaRoche (CINF) – Another casualty of Joe Torre will likely be Andy LaRoche, who will be on the bench as Nomar Garciaparra is started.  Still, I do give the Dodgers some credit to committing to at least carrying with the big league club.  LaRoche has all the tools to be a star third baseman in the mold of Troy Glaus, though only the Dodgers
• Gary Bennett (C) – A decent backup catcher with an okay bat, look at Bennett to be able to relieve Russell Martin, who was overworked last season.
• Wilson Valdez (UTIL) - Strictly a gloveman with no offensive value.
• Tony Abreu (UTIL) – A decent utility man, Abreu will likely backup all the middle infield positions, plus get the occasional start in the outfield.  He’s not a bad hitter either and could pinch hit in necessary.

Minor League Notables

• Clayton Kershaw (LHP) - The Dodgers' top prospect, Kershaw has already reached Double A at the age of 19.  He's got a big fastball and slider and potentially could be a major league ace.  While the Dodgers won't rush him, it's not inconcievable that Kershaw could get a big league look in the pen at the end of the season.
• Chin-lung Hu (SS) - Chien Ming Wang's ex-classmate, Hu has an incredible glove and enough of a bat that he won't be a drag on the offense.  He'll likely be Furcal's successor at short, though he could be called up in case of injury.
• Justin Meloan (RHP) - A solid setup man, Meloan is also a potential call up should one of the relievers flame out.

Final Analysis

Overall, the Dodgers have a good squad and will be in the mix for the National League Wild Card.  However, I don't feel that they'll have quite an easy run at the division or the WC thanks to the rise of the Diamondbacks and the Rockies.  Overall, this squad is dependant on it's youth.  If Torre decides to play the vets like Pierre and Garciaparra over more deserving talent, it will ultimately cost the Blue Crew at chance at the post-season.

Final Prediction - 2nd Place, National League West