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| Magic Johnson has come to help rescue the Dodgers. |
Magic Johnson. Michigan State Spartan. Los Angeles Laker. Los Angeles Dodger?
Yes, Magic Johnson's ownership group did buy the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is by all accounts a popular hire because of Magic's relationship with the city of Los Angeles, his winning track record and his role at the forefront in the battle against HIV.
Matt Kemp can go 50/50, but he'll never be Magic Johnson. However, he can leave his mark on this city if he can lead L.A. to a title. The good news for Kemp is that Magic and Co. has come to help push the Dodgers of Kemp and Kershaw back to the front of the NL West. They have the pieces for it too. A franchise player in Kemp, a franchise Ace in Clayton Kershaw, a manager who studied under one of the best in Don Mattingly and pieces of the Dodgers that stemmed from their youth movement in 2007 as well as former deadline acquisitions from more competitive seasons.
What needs to happen is leadership. It needs to come from the capable veterans in the locker room. There is an absurd amount of experience between Jerry Hairston Jr., Juan Rivera, Juan Uribe, Mike MacDougal, Todd Coffey, Matt Guerrier, Matt Treanor, Adam Kennedy, Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly, Mark Ellis and Jamey Wright. Uribe and Kennedy have rings. When you have 11 rugged veterans in your locker room, leadership, talented young players, a leadoff hitter, a manager who has a lifetime worth of experience dealing with big egos, a bullpen and some money to play with in case the team warrants some additional manpower at the deadline you have a recipe for a champion.
Will it happen in 2012? I doubt it. But do not be terribly surprised if this team wins a ring.
Dee Gordon is a has proven himself a speedster at a young age. He will set the table for Kemp, Andre Ethier and perhaps a healthy Juan Uribe. They have a solid bullpen. Javy Guerra did great closing games last season. Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly are a great 2-3. This team has a lot of pieces to the puzzle.
What they need this season is to add a couple of pieces. The Dodgers need to stay in the race for four months for them to be dangerous in this pennant race.
All it takes is a little Magic.
X-FACTORS:
Lineup: 3B Juan Uribe. It is imperative that Uribe stay healthy and produce like he did in San Francisco to round up Kemp's supporting cast.
Rotation: Chad Billingsley. Billingsley has shown that he has another gear and he needs to hit it this season. If we see 2008 Billingsley, the Dodgers have the best 1-2 punch in baseball.
Bullpen: Mike MacDougal. He has a tendency to give up more runs than your average middle reliever. If he can have a repeat of last season or gets a DFA, the Dodgers will be fine.
The Kids: SS Dee Gordon. At age 23, Dee has to set the table for the rest of these guys. Setting the table for Matt Kemp's lineup is a big deal.
ROYAL LIST:
#62 RHP Zach Lee. Joins former college QB's such as Josh Fields (Dodgers), Pat White (Royals) and Mitch Mustain (White Sox) in pro baseball. At least LSU still has the Honey Badger and with that, a reason for me to watch them whenever Brent Musburger is on the call.
#95 RHP Allen Webster. Nice arm. Might see in September
#96 RHP Nate Eovaldi. Same as Webster.
PREDICTION: 3rd Place NL West
-For all the talking up I did of this team, they currently have the make up of an average ball club.
Yes, Magic Johnson's ownership group did buy the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is by all accounts a popular hire because of Magic's relationship with the city of Los Angeles, his winning track record and his role at the forefront in the battle against HIV.
Matt Kemp can go 50/50, but he'll never be Magic Johnson. However, he can leave his mark on this city if he can lead L.A. to a title. The good news for Kemp is that Magic and Co. has come to help push the Dodgers of Kemp and Kershaw back to the front of the NL West. They have the pieces for it too. A franchise player in Kemp, a franchise Ace in Clayton Kershaw, a manager who studied under one of the best in Don Mattingly and pieces of the Dodgers that stemmed from their youth movement in 2007 as well as former deadline acquisitions from more competitive seasons.
What needs to happen is leadership. It needs to come from the capable veterans in the locker room. There is an absurd amount of experience between Jerry Hairston Jr., Juan Rivera, Juan Uribe, Mike MacDougal, Todd Coffey, Matt Guerrier, Matt Treanor, Adam Kennedy, Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly, Mark Ellis and Jamey Wright. Uribe and Kennedy have rings. When you have 11 rugged veterans in your locker room, leadership, talented young players, a leadoff hitter, a manager who has a lifetime worth of experience dealing with big egos, a bullpen and some money to play with in case the team warrants some additional manpower at the deadline you have a recipe for a champion.
Will it happen in 2012? I doubt it. But do not be terribly surprised if this team wins a ring.
Dee Gordon is a has proven himself a speedster at a young age. He will set the table for Kemp, Andre Ethier and perhaps a healthy Juan Uribe. They have a solid bullpen. Javy Guerra did great closing games last season. Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly are a great 2-3. This team has a lot of pieces to the puzzle.
What they need this season is to add a couple of pieces. The Dodgers need to stay in the race for four months for them to be dangerous in this pennant race.
All it takes is a little Magic.
X-FACTORS:
Lineup: 3B Juan Uribe. It is imperative that Uribe stay healthy and produce like he did in San Francisco to round up Kemp's supporting cast.
Rotation: Chad Billingsley. Billingsley has shown that he has another gear and he needs to hit it this season. If we see 2008 Billingsley, the Dodgers have the best 1-2 punch in baseball.
Bullpen: Mike MacDougal. He has a tendency to give up more runs than your average middle reliever. If he can have a repeat of last season or gets a DFA, the Dodgers will be fine.
The Kids: SS Dee Gordon. At age 23, Dee has to set the table for the rest of these guys. Setting the table for Matt Kemp's lineup is a big deal.
ROYAL LIST:
#62 RHP Zach Lee. Joins former college QB's such as Josh Fields (Dodgers), Pat White (Royals) and Mitch Mustain (White Sox) in pro baseball. At least LSU still has the Honey Badger and with that, a reason for me to watch them whenever Brent Musburger is on the call.
#95 RHP Allen Webster. Nice arm. Might see in September
#96 RHP Nate Eovaldi. Same as Webster.
PREDICTION: 3rd Place NL West
-For all the talking up I did of this team, they currently have the make up of an average ball club.
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