#3
The Los Angeles Dodgers finally broke through and took the top prize in 2020 for the first time since 1988. Is this the start of a new dynasty in LA?
#1 - 1st in NL West, win World Series
MIH - Corey Seager
MIP - Julio Urias
PTW - Dustin May
2020 Result
#1 - 43-17, 1st in NL West, won World Series
I will once again brag that I correctly predicted the World Series matchup and result! The Dodgers have been one of the most talented teams in the league for awhile now, but finally they took the top prize. They seem to only ever get better and stronger and deeper.
Additions / Subtractions
Even after winning the World Series, the Dodgers couldn't be content. They had to get better, especially after seeing the crazy moves made by the division rival Padres. Enter 2020 Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer. If any team didn't need another starting pitcher, it was the Dodgers. Now they have the most elite rotations in memory with Trevor Bauer, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Dustin May, David Price, and Tony Gonsolin all in a position to get starts throughout the season. In terms of the lineup, they re-signed third baseman Justin Turner while they let second baseman Kike Hernandez sign elsewhere, clearing room for former top prospect Gavin Lux to start every day.
Most Important Hitter
Will Smith
The Dodgers lineup is loaded with at least three potential MVP candidates in Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, and Corey Seager. However, the key to their lineup might be catcher Will Smith, not necessarily for what he brings offensively but what he brings behind the plate. Smith is entering his third full season in the big leagues, and he has always been able to hit. His work defensively will be much more crucial as he looks to be the everyday catcher in 2021, especially considering the dream team pitching staff that is throwing to him.
Most Important Pitcher
Kenley Jansen
The starting rotation is deep and elite. The bullpen is just as deep, but there are definite questions as to how elite they are at the back end. Kenley Jansen has been the closer in LA for almost a decade. His peak was in 2017 where he had 41 saves, a 1.32 ERA, and earned both Cy Young and MVP votes. The last three seasons have been borderline average for Jansen, so much so that there has been talk of hi keeping his closer job. Now the 33 year old is looking for a bounce back season to keep his job and keep the rest the back end of that bullpen elite.
Prospect to Watch
Keibert Ruiz
Along with bringing in some top talents through trades and free agency, the Dodgers have been incredibly good at building from within in recent years. Whether it is Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Will Smith, Walker Buehler, or Julio Urias, the Dodgers constantly develop talent into stars and rarely trade away their top prospects. Not many of the top prospects are projected to help the big club this season (and with the veteran depth they have, that's no surprise). The one most likely to have an impact in the majors is top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz. Ruiz is one that the Dodgers have been protecting the last few seasons in the big trades they have pulled off. Now he will either be the trade chip they need to make another big splash or provide some depth behind the plate behind Will Smith and Austin Barnes.
2021 Prediction
1st in NL West, lose in NLCS
Are the Dodgers the most talented roster in the league? Yes. Are they the defending champions? Yes. Are they the favorites to repeat? Yes. With all that said, only twice in the 21st century have the defending champs even made the World Series the next year (2001 Yankees, 2009 Phillies). No one has repeated as champs since the 1998-2000 Yankees won three in a row. The last seven seasons have even had seven different champions. The Dodgers have the talent to have that kind of run, but it is extremely hard to do. There is enough parody in baseball right now that I think the Dodgers fall short of the Fall Classic in 2021. At the same time, this year might be the easiest year to repeat with their depth and the short season in 2020.
Fearless Prediction
This is the last year Clayton Kershaw wears Dodger blue.
Clayton Kershaw is going to go down as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He is entering a contract year as a 33 year old, and looking at a roster filled with megadeals and superstars looking for megadeals. At some point the Dodgers have to run out of money, right? They just paid Mookie Betts last year, they paid Trevor Bauer this year, they need to decide who will be their shortstop of the future and give him a big payday (whether it is Corey Seager or one of the other superstar free agent shortstops), young stars like Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler will need to be paid soon, and they still have some other big contracts on the books like A.J. Pollock and David Price. You have to think Kershaw will either need to take a huge hometown discount or move on to a team that needs a star, like Kershaw's hometown Rangers.
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