That’s right Dodger fans. It’s time for another year of Dodger position previews where we break down the Roster by splitting them up into groups like Starting Pitching/Bullpen Pitching, Outfield, Infield, and the final Overview. This year really looks to be interesting because they’re so many changes to this roster and with the expectations for the Dodgers are indeed high for this season. Today we will start off with pitching. This was an area where the Dodgers really tended to in the off-season. You’ve heard the term before: Pitching wins championships. So today Starting Pitching gets the nod.
2013 Review: Last season the Dodgers starting pitching staff was indeed the strength of the team. We all knew about Clayton Kershaw but the Dodgers knew that they needed help with the Pitching staff so they went out and signed former Cy Young Award Winner Zack Greinke and Top Korean Pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu to compliment the Dodgers Ace. On top of that the Dodgers were going into the 2013 season with a platoon of starting pitchers. So much that anything after 1-2 was a plain out mystery. Well that problem of having too many starting pitchers quickly turned into having not many options at all as the Dodgers saw injuries wipe away many options. Zack Greinke went down for a number of weeks after the fight in San Diego, Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett went down for the season, and Aaron Harang was traded to Seattle. Lets not forget Chris Capuano went down to injury as well. Basically the Dodgers were calling up pitchers left and right (Matt Magil and Stephen Fife were called up). Somehow the Dodgers starting pitching held its own. Things turned as Zack Greinke came back along with Ryu and Kershaw who have been pitching great for Los Angeles which really helped the Dodgers a lot. The last week before the All-Star break the Dodgers would then trade for Ricky Nolasco who would also provide a solid outing for the Dodgers. Thanks to the help of starting pitching the Dodgers would win the NL West. At the end of the regular season the Dodgers Starting Pitching would statisticly be the best rotation in the MLB with a 3.13 ERA. Also to add that Clayton Kershaw would win Cy Young and Grenike would win Silver Slugger.
Offseason: The off-season was a time for the Dodgers to work on adding/improving on a few key spots including the starting pitching. One of the major things the Dodgers got out the way was the extension of Clayton Kershaw making him a Dodger for a few more years and the highest paid Pitcher in MLB History. Outside of that finding a solid Number 4 pitcher was also key for Los Angeles. Ricky Nolasco would sign with the Twins for a bigger deal than what the Dodgers would give him and the Yankees would outbid Los Angeles for highly coveted Japanese pitcher Tanaka. This off-season would indeed be different from the splash the Dodgers would make last off-season.
Dan Haren will look to rebound from last season’s disappointment with the Washington Nationals.
Key Additions:
Dan Haren: Dan Haren would get signed by the Dodgers for a 1 year $10 Million Dollar deal during the off-season. While this wasn’t a knock the socks off deal it was a well needed and solid move at a cheap price. Last season with Washington Haren had a disappointing season which was had him at a 6.15 ERA which would be the worst ERA among starting pitchers. He would finish the 2013 season with a 10-14 record posting a 4.67 ERA.
Paul Maholm: As pitchers and catchers would report to camp many reporters would notice that Paul Maholm’s jersey would be in a locker. It would soon be announced that the Dodgers have signed Paul Maholm to a 1 year deal. It’s unknown at this point that Maholm will be a starter or a relief pitcher (Pending on the health of Josh Beckett). If starting Maholm will be fifth in the rotation as expected.
3 Questions To be Answered:
1) The Health of Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley: It was just a year ago that I was asking about the health of Chad Billingsley in one of these previews. Well now its STILL a question that has to be answered. Chad Billingsley is recovering from Tommy John Surgery that forced him to sit the whole season. If you remember Billingsley was dealing with injury issues during the 2012 season just when it seemed as if he was turning the corner back to his all-star form. Josh Beckett on the other hand also had surgery to for a nerve issue in his throwing arm which also sidelined him for the remainder of the 2013 season. Beckett struggled before his injury going 0-5 with a 5.19 ERA. This season will be a fresh start for Billingsley and Beckett as they return from injury. Both are saying that they feel great but how their pitching will be remains to be seen. Beckett could return sooner but once Billingsley return will it be the bullpen for Beckett? I think we should see how healthy the two are before we jump to any conclusions.
2) 2nd Year of Hyun Jin Ryu?: Ryu had a very impressive 1st year going 14-8 with a 3.00 ERA. This season Ryu will be looking to repeat if not improve from his rookie year. Now that he has a year under his belt in the MLB it’ll be interesting to see what he learned and how he has improved. Will Ryu improve and be a better pitcher in 2014? The thing I’m worried about is the sophomore slump (2nd year players perform below expectations after a good rookie year) but with Ryu he keeps himself motivated so I’m sure he will improve for next season.
3) 5th Starting Pitcher Issue?- The Dodgers spent the off-season improving the pitching rotation. We all know as of now the projected rotation 1-4 is set but the 5th spot in the rotation is a huge mystery. Before camp the Dodgers signed Paul Maholm to likely take that 5th spot while Josh Beckett, who is now cleared to throw, recovers from his surgery and get things going. Right now it’s a toss-up between Beckett and Maholm pending how Beckett feels but then come May-June when Chad Billingsley return then comes the question of how will Billingsley fit into the rotation? I thought it would be more confusing than it is now but with injury bound to happen things can change so it’s a good problem for the Dodgers to have.
Players to Watch:
Dan Haren- Haren is coming of a bad season with Washington last season. He is now in Southern California once again and in a pitcher’s park with a better line up. If Haren can provide solid innings for the Dodgers and stay healthy then he will be fine. I put him as a player to watch because I believe he has a lot to prove this season, especially after the season he had with the Nationals.
Zach Lee- Why Zach Lee? Well this Spring Training he will be with the Dodgers so this will be the first time many fans will see what he is all about. One of the top Pitching prospects in the organization for a while this will give him the exposer as well as a chance to pitch with the big leagues in some form. I think his performance this spring will give us an idea how ready he is for the big leagues. I think Lee will get called up as soon as this season but how soon will depend on a few things. Based off what I read on him I do believe he can develop into a really good pitcher.
Hyun Jin Ryu- As he enter his 2nd season in the MLB Ryu is still a pitcher to keep an eye on. Reason why is because his development will be interesting to watch this season. Last season he really impressed and became a solid Number 3 in the rotation. this year I see nothing but good things for Ryu.
Overview: Overall I think this year the Dodgers starting rotation will once again be the strength of the team. While Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu will indeed give us good outings the likes of Dan Haren, Josh Beckett, Chad Billingsley, and Paul Maholm will be a huge unknown factor as of now. At the end of the day I do believe this is the best starting rotation in Major League Baseball and will indeed pitch like it as well.
