2007 LA Dodgers Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

After finishing 20 games under .500 in 2005, the Dodgers turned to former Boston Red Sox manager Grady Little to inject new life in the team. He not only calmed what had been a tumultuous clubhouse the previous season, he also led the team to a tie for the National League West Championship with an 88-74 record, which represented a 17-game improvement. Veterans Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew were the backbones of the offense, though Garciaparra and Drew missed considerable stratches because of injuries. Drew stunned the organization in the offseason when he exercised his contract option and became a free agent, eventually signing with the Boston Red Sox. General manager Ned Colletti compensated with the signing of free agent Jason Schmidt to head up a stout rotation, speedy centerfielder Juan Pierre (58 stolen bases in 2006) to bat leadoff, and veteran Luis Gonzalez to play left field and replace Drew’s lefthanded bat in the line-up. Colletti also signed former Phillies teammates Mike Liberthal and Randy Wolf. Wolf will add depth to the rotation in a division ripe for the taking and it looks like a winning mix.

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Schmidt is coming off just an 11-win season with the Giants, his lowest full-season total since 1998. He also yielded 21 home runs, which would have been tops on the Dodgers staff. Yet he still profiles as a top-of-the-rotation starter. Derek Lowe and Brad Penny had 16 win seasons each, and Wolf has been 10-4 in just 25 starts over the past two seasons. Chad Billingsley was 7-4 with a 3.80 ERA as a rookie, though his ratio of walks (58) to strikeouts (59) left much to be desired. With Schmidt, Lowe, Wolf, Billingsley and Hong-Chih Kuo in the fold, the Dodgers had the luxury of shopping Penny during the winter. A strong rotation will turn games over to a stellar bullpen. Closer Takashi Saito replaced Eric Gagne with barely a huccup, and Johnathan Broxton is a dominating closer in the making.

Russell Martin was a huge surprise at catcher last year despite not making his big league debut until Mat 5. He threw out 21 percent of runnerys trying to steal, and batted .282 with 10 home runs and 65 RBIs in 121 games. The Dodgers solidified the position by bringing in former All-Star Lieberthal, a career .275 hitter with waning power. The infield is rock solid with Jeff Kent’s (.292-14-68) 2006 season to go along with Garciaparra’s 20 homers, 93 RBIs and .303 average, all his highest totals since 2003. Shortstop Furcal had a career year with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs and a .300 average and young third baseman Wilson Betemit showed promise after getting regular playing time (though prized prospect Andy LaRocke is knocking on the door). Garciaparra will likely play several positions in 2007 after finding a steady home at first base last season.

The loss of Drew was softened by the acquisition of Gonzalez who has 20 career home runs at Dodger Stadium. Ethier’s .308 average with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs in 126 games were a surprise and he figures to move from left field to right field, where he would replace Drew. By getting centerfield Pierre from the Cubs, the Dodgers are hoping to see even more speed in the top of the lineup. Matt Kemp, who had some big games in September, will have a hard time cracking this lineup. The Dodgers have the weapons to make the postseason again in 2007 and their pitching should stay at the level of last year’s performance. Look for the Dodgers to do big things this season.

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