Dodgers 2008 Preview

Even if new Dodger Manager Joe Torre takes his usual 20 minute power nap during the sixth inning of every game this season, the Dodgers should manage to win at least 5 to 10 more games in 2008 than they did under Grady Little in 2007. From my season ticket perch in Loge Aisle 144 last season, I was continually confused by Grady's almost uncanny ability to make the worst possible game decision at the worst possible time. And, when pressed post-game on his bad judgment calls, Little would basically tell you "I had my reasons." Yes, he was a nice man, but it was very easy to see why alcoholism was rampant in Red Sox Nation during 2003.

Grady also lost control of a Dodger clubhouse that he never really ran completely in the first place. Dodger GM Ned Colletti had put together a mix of veterans and rookies that needed delicate handling for the chemistry not to implode. Of course, when two of said veterans include the always crabby Jeff Kent and Luis Gonzalez, it doesn't take more than a Bic lighter to recreate Nagasaki. Of those those two, only Kent remains and, given the number of spring training injuries he has endured already, he could be one of Jerry's Kids by Labor Day.

So, yes, the mere change from Little to Torre should guarantee the Dodgers about 8 more wins in 2008. Now, if you do the math from last year, eight more wins would get the Dodgers the NL West title. But, of course, you don't play the game of baseball on paper. Just ask the Mets, who are still waiting for Tom Glavine to finish that first inning against the Marlins.

When Joe Torre had immediate success with the Yankees in New York, I always thought he had stepped in shit. It was a team that was on the verge of being a dynasty with some young players already in place to achieve stardom. Many baseball pundits felt that you didn't need to be a genius to be a good manager with that Yankee era. But, I think Torre proved his worth later on in his Yankee run when he had less to work with and still managed to keep getting into the playoffs.

So, as he comes into SoCal, Joe will find himself with a team very similar to those 1996 Yankees. But, instead of a Derek Jeter or a Bernie Williams, he will find a James Loney and a Matt Kemp, both already making their mark but perhaps heading for superstardom. I've already gone out on the limb by announcing that Loney will be the NL MVP sometime before 2012. And there are other young folks here that could be poised to make Joe Torre look like Albert Einstein all over again. Andre Ethier. Chad Billingsley. Jonathan Broxton. Russell Martin. With the very careful handling that Torre does specialize in, his biggest and only challenge in Los Angeles might be finding good bagels on Sunday morning.

But, that is not to imply that the Dodgers will have clear sailing from here to Catalina and back. Except for the woebegone Giants, whose youngest player is in his 50s, all of the NL West looks to be improved. Torre will have to get some breaks other than in the wrist or ankle.

Infield: First baseman James Loney reminds me of Keith Hernandez without the "Just for Men" TV spots and he should be planted there for years to come. This is shortstop Rafael Furcal's final contract year and he is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued 2007. He is also looking for a contract extension, so that always seems to ramp up the incentive. When he finally gets into a game this spring, the Dodgers will live with Jeff "Don't Call Me Gramps" Kent at second base because he can still swing a bat. The Dodgers were severely hurt by promising third baseman Andy LaRoche's Vero Beach injury and they thought they had a suitable replacement in Nomar "Don't Call Me Gramps" Garciaparra. Wrong. Nomar immediately went down as well, which is not a surprise since he can break his foot by spitting out a sunflower seed. Until LaRoche gets back in May, the Dodgers will employ a third base committee of Chin Lung Hu, Tony Abreu, and perhaps even Ron Cey, if he answers his e-mails.

Outfield: At one point, GM Ned Colletti must have thought that Major League Baseball was going to use softball rules in 2008, because he went out and got 4 quality outfielders. He lured Andruw "My Mama Doesn't Know How to Use Spellcheck" Jones for centerfield and, hopefully, the long season will help him to pare down the Ralph Kramden physique he showed up with in spring training. Both Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp deserve to play. And, given the fact that he's owed 10 million dollars plus for the next four years, it is tough to sit Juan Pierre on the bench. While Pierre throws like your kid sister and can't hit more than a single to center, he's the proverbial rabbit on the basepaths that gives opposing pitchers and catchers fits. It will take all of Torre's Kissinger-like diplomacy to give all four of these guys their daily due.

Catching: Russell Martin is the best fielding and hitting catcher in the National League. He also played too many games in 2007 and needed to rest more. It will take all of Torre's Kissinger-like diplomacy to make sure that happens.

Starting Pitching: It could be one of the best staffs in the NL. Or one of the most ordinary. Brad Penny can be an ace, but he needs to remember the season is more than 100 games long. As long as he spends more time on his delivery than on what hot actress is sitting behind home plate, he should be okay. Same with Derek Lowe. As long as he spends more time on his delivery than on what hot sportscaster is sitting in the press box, he should be okay. Chad Billingsley is 23 with tons of upside, but can suffer from control problems. But, he's also recently married and should not be distracted by any hot women anywhere in the stadium. The Dodgers signed veteran Japanese hurler Hiroki Kuroda, which sounds like fertilizer for your bonsai tree. He has looked outstanding in the spring, but, given the shorter length of baseball seasons in the Far East, Asian pitchers tend to run out of gas state-side by August 1. The fifth starter will be either Esteban Loiaza who once headlined with Charo or journeyman Chan Ho Park who is named after a baseball stadium in the city of Chan Ho.

Bullpen: Closer Takashi Saito got a late start in the spring, but he should be light outs by April. With Kuroda on the team, he now has somebody to discuss sushi with in the clubhouse. The rest of the bullpen should be fine. Expect to see that Scott Proctor has thrown over 200 innings by May 15.

Manager: Joe Torre is an upgrade and his calm clubhouse demeanor will be welcomed. The right guy for the right team at the right time.

Prognosis: The Dodgers could win the division. But so could the Padres. And the Rockies. And the Diamondbacks. And the Rockies. This figures to be the tightest race in baseball. With the Dodgers celebrating their 50th season in Los Angeles all year, you can expect many inspiring appearances by the likes of Steve Garvey, Fernando Valenzuela, and the guy who sells peanuts on the third base side of the Loge. And lots and lots and lots of traffic.

Dinner last night: Hamsteak.