Los Angeles Dodgers

Losses: P Jon Garland, 2B O-Dawg, P Guillermo Mota, P Jeff Weaver, P Will Ohman

Gains: OF Reed Johnson, OF Garret Anderson

Anaylsis: Well, the Dodgers are who we thought they were, if who we thought they were was exactly what they were last season. They bring in some back-up outfield options. Reed Johnson is a solid 4th with some great defense. Garret Anderson is trying on a 1B glove, so we'll see how that goes. They keep Vicente Padilla and ditch Jon Garland among the rental pitchers from last season. They also let Jeff Weaver walk now that Hiroki Kuroda is healthy. Will Ohman and Guillermo Mota also depart after modest contributions.

More moves: Why make moves now? Haven't done it all off season. (or how bout a mid-season Pedro Martinez sighting?)

2010 Thoughts: Despite doing nothing this off season, the Dodgers can still be in good shape. You might ask, "APT, is there an X-Factor?". To which I would answer, of course there's a fucking X-Factor. His name is Chad Billingsley. If he is 2008 Chad "your curveball makes me tingle" Billingsley, then the Dodgers could be in great shape. If he is 2009 Chad "what is pitching" Billingsley, it could be another story. Clayton Kershaw definitely took the ace job away last season. Billingsley is going to have to step up and be number 2. Speaking of curveballs, Vicente Padilla threw my favorite curveball of 2009. He sticks around to provide a solid middle of the rotation with Hiroki Kuroda. James McDonald gets his chance in the fifth spot. The pen is good. Bellisario and Troncoso can be really solid from the right, as are Hong-Chi Kuo and George Sherril from the left. Charlie Haeger will fill the long role. And we all know Big Jon Broxton waits in the ninth inning, with 100mph for you. The line-up is real good. They still have their solid young core with Matt Kemp, James Loney, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin and now officially Blake DeWitt. And they still complement them nicely with skilled, grizzled veterans in Rafa Furcal, Manuel Ramirez and Casey Blake. You have to like that line-up going into a NL season.

Predictions: I see Chad Billingsley having a come back year and helping carry the Artful Dodgers to a division title.

-APT