Singin' the Blues

Los Angeles Dodgers 2007 Record: 82-20 (4th in NL West)
2008 Prediction: 2nd in NL West


In

• Hiroki Kuroda (Japan) - signed to a 3 year, $35 million contract - 12/15/07
  
• Gary Bennett (STL) - signed to a 1 year, $825,000 contract with an option for 2009 - 12/17/07
  
• Andruw Jones (ATL) - signed to a 2 year, $36.2 million contract - 12/12/07
  
• Mike Myers (CHW) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/25/08
  
• Chan Ho Park (HOU) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/6/07
• Rudy Seanez (LAD) - re-signed to a 1 year, $550,000 contract - 2/4/08
  
• Joe Torre (NYY-MGR) - signed to a 3 year, $13 million contract - 11/1/07
  

Out

• Chad Moeller (WAS) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/27/07
  
• Mark Hendrickson (FLA) - signed to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract - 1/16/08
  
• Chin-hui Tsao (KC) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/31/07
  
• Randy Wolf (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $4.75 million contract - 12/9/07
  
• Mike Lieberthal - Retired
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Luis Gonzalez
  
• Mark Sweeney
  
• Shea Hillenbrand
  
• Roberto Hernandez
  
• Olmedo Saenz
  
• David Wells
  

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Russell Martin
1B - James Loney
2B - Jeff Kent
3B - Andy LaRoche
SS - Rafael Furcal
LF - Juan Pierre
CF - Andruw Jones
RF - Matt Kemp

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Jason Schmidt
Brad Penny
Derek Lowe
Hiroki Kuroda
Chad Billinglsey


Projected Opening Day Closer

Takashi Saito

Improvements: Torre and Mattingly, while won't be active on the field, will provide the Dodgers with stability and experience from the bench. Jones gives the Dodgers an exceptional outfielder, and the big bat in the lineup they have been lacking since the Piazza days. And a healthy Jason Schmidt (which they did not have in 2007) will make the Dodgers a truly fearsome club in 2008.
Lack of Improvement: For a while, the Dodgers were rumored to be in on trades for Johan Santana and Erik Bedard - neither of which is currently donning a Dodger uniform. Instead, they settled for Kuroda to complete their rotation...a rotation that has a history of injuries and inconsistencies. The Dodgers' failure to improve their rotation, along with their third base shortage, may hinder the team in their quest for dominance in the NL West.
Keys to success: Joe Torre will have his hands full in the clubhouse. On the field, he has an immense amount of talent - but off the field, he has an immense amount of egos. This team is extremely balanced with veterans and youngsters, but there may come a time when some of the personalities of these players might start to clash. It will be up to Torre to make sure the likes of Kent, Jones and Garciaparra can keep their heads on their shoulders and just play ball. The health of some of their veterans (Kent, Garciaparra and Schmidt for some) will also play a major role for the Dodgers in 2008.