Jobu’s MLB Rankings for 2010: Los Angeles Dodgers

2009 Campaign: 95-67, 1^st Place, NL West

The Dodgers had a hell of a run last year, getting back to the NLCS for the second straight year. It’s too bad for them that they had to face the same team, the Phillies, and, even worse, the outcome was the same. But what’s worse? The fact that the Dodgers couldn’t get over the NLCS hump or that the team’s management threw a major wrench in a team with many blossoming young stars? Owners Frank and Jamie McCourt cast their messy divorce into the spotlight of the fans and traded barbs in media,  but what’s worse is the fact that they prevented GM Ned Colletti from being able to do his job by freezing any spending until the legal matters played out. Colletti made some attempts to bolster a starting pitching staff in need of an ace by going after Roy Halladay and Aaron Harang, but unfortunately it was an exercise in futility. The McCourt’s mishandling of the whole situation even led to the Dodgers avoiding arbitration offers to Randy Wolf and Orlando Hudson, and, when they walked, were unable to get the standard compensatory draft picks that should have gone along with their departure. So, after an impressive regular season and a deep playoff run, Dodgers fans, who spun the turnstiles 3.7 million times last season (best in the MLB), were left with a very bad taste in their mouths.

Key Arrivals: 2B Jamey Carroll

Key Departures: RHP Jon Garland (FA), 2B Ronnie Belliard (FA), 2B Orlando Hudson (FA), RHP Gueillermo Mota (FA), RHP Vicenta Padilla (FA), OF Juan Pierre (trade w/ White Sox), 1B Jim Thome (FA), LHP Randy Wolf (FA)

2010 Outlook: Even with all the turmoil mentioned above, the Dodgers are still in the mix for 2010. They are luckily in a division with the subpar Diamondbacks and hapless Padres, so they can do no worse than second place. Steroids or not, they still have Manny, and he can be relied upon for production. Add to that a group of guys who won’t hit their prime for at least another couple years – Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp,  James Loney – and it’s a pretty formidable 1-8. The pitching could stand to improve, but youngsters Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley could surprise many. They’ll need to if they have plans to get back to the NLCS for a third straight year.

Jobu Says: Messy management cause organization to take step back. But this is not fault of loyal fans and good young players. Lack of tribute to Jobu will not be held against them. Two Jobus and a midseason pitching acquisition means playoffs for Dodgers, but then it up to them.

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