After finishing 2nd the Dodgers attempted to add some offense that was just short of offensive last season. Finishing middle of the pack it allowed Colorado and Pythag to win the division via roshambo victory. 12 game swing must NOT happen again.
Starting off with the strength of the team as always is the rotation (subject to change):
1 Grover Alexander 33 GS, 14-10, 2.62 ERA, 230 IP
2 Victor Faura 33 GS, 15-10, 2.66 ERA, 237 IP
3 Pruden Ramirez 32 GS, 11-11, 3.99 ERA, 196.1 IP
4 Sal Romo 32 GS, 15-6, 3.29 ERA, 224 IP
5 Brain Yoshimasa 77 G, 79.2 IP, 4-4 7 sv, 3.50 era
If another starter is acquired (or Newsom blows the doors off of spring training) Faura likely moves to the closer roll.
The lineup gets a facelift and hopefully continued improvement from James Lappin.
CA James Lamp .246, 21 hr, 97 rbi
1B James Lappin .233, 32 hr, 96 RBI
2B Rupert Correa .289, 27 HR, 98 RBI
3B Bradley Kelty .320, 14 hr, 76 rbi
SS Ulysses Van Doren .299, 17 hr, 108 rbi
LF Brian Stribling .240, 24 HR, 85 RBI
CF Bill Barrier .267, 14 hr, 78 rbi, 23 sb
RF Kenneth Charneco .259, .307, .330, 57 runs
Summary: Should provide more homers this year and thus more offense... outside of Dodger Stadium
Bench: A very young unit where most teams probably have older guys stashed.
1 Estanis Mariscal .283, 7 hr, 71 rbi
2 Robert Nava .332, 9 hr, 88 rbi(aaa)
3 Julian Rost .273, 7 hr, 34 RBI
4 John Maddocks 8 9 4 6 6 talent
5 Shawn Wyse .295, 36 sb, 25 rbi, 2 hr.
Mariscal is the reigning GG behind the plate will get opportunities to grab the bat (probably 1-2 times a week). Rest of the bench is 27 or younger.
Pen: Note this is subject to change, I am forever looking for a closer and didn't want to pay that kind of money for guys on the market.
1 Roy Teter 25 G, 33 IP, 2.45 ERA, 2-3 1 sv
2 Michael Swearengin 88 G, 87 IP, 3-3 3 sv, 3.10 ERA
3 Steven Eckhart 93 G, 98.1 IP, 5-5 5 sv, 3.94 ERA
4 Luis Viveros (AAA) 26 GS, 3.34 ERA, 12-3, 169.2 IP
5 Brian Kucharski 47 G, 4-3 3 sv, 3.88 ERA
6 Demetrio Malave 25 G, 1-1, 1 save, 5.52 ERA
I feel that I can cover the middle of the game but the back end needs someone to step in and take over. Pen shouldn't be a real weakness from innings 6-8 but closing them out is going to be a pain in my backside... unless Swearengin FINALLY takes that "final" step. Malave is being brought in hoping to get a good season out of him and that 39 was the exception. Plus he's bound to know how St Louis ticks and vows revenge come October and singlehandedly defeats St Louis for me. .