Can Kemp and Kershaw keep fans focus on the field?

There’s been no secret over the last 18 months or so that the Dodgers ownership issues and off the field problems have taken the focus, in the eyes of many people, away from the performances on the field, but with All-Star duo Matt Kemp and reigning NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw in their ranks, the Dodgers have a couple of players really worth keeping an eye on.

The Dodgers faithful will be hoping for a repeat performance from their star performers, but, following an 82-79 season, others will have to make the step up if the Dodgers are to be in the play-off race come mid September. Kemp hit exactly one-third of all Dodger home runs last season, and that figure is way too high, although no big name signing was made to rectify that issue. Indeed, Rod Barajas, who was second on the HR list left for the Pirates.

Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw looks as if he will have to place the rest of the starting rotation on his shoulders, yet again. Coach Don Mattingly, however, has signed no fewer than eight relievers so the race for bullpen spots could be the key issue to focus on during Spring Training.

IN : Jose Ascanio (RP – Pittsburgh), Josh Bard (C – Seattle), Chris Capuano (SP – N.Y. Mets), Alberto Castillo (RP – Arizona), Todd Coffey (RP – Washington), Mark Ellis (INF – Colorado), John Grabow (RP – Chicago Cubs), Jerry Hairston (OF – Milwaukee), Aaron Harang (SP – San Diego), Adam Kennedy (INF – Seattle), Wilfredo Ledezma (RP – Toronto), Shane Lindsay (RP – Chicago W.S.), Matt Treanor (C – Texas), Ryan Tucker (RP – Texas), Jamey Wright (RP – Seattle)

OUT : Rod Barajas (C – Pittsburgh), Casey Blake (INF – Colorado), Jonathan Broxton (RP – Kansas City), Jamey Carroll (INF – Minnesota), Jon Garland (SP), Jay Gibbons (OF – Milwaukee), Hector Gimenez (C – Chicago W.S.), Hong-Chih Kuo (RP – Seattle), Hiroki Kuroda (SP – N.Y. Yankees), Aaron Miles (INF), Dioner Navarro (C – Cincinnati), Vicente Padilla (RP – Boston), Marcus Thames (OF), Eugenio Velez (INF – St. Louis)

Catchers : With the departure of the top two catchers from last year, Barajas and Navarro, the catching corps will have a different look to it this year. Veteran Matt Treanor arrives from Texas, but has never been a no.1 during his eight year career, although A.J. Ellis has made just 87 appearances in four seasons with the Dodgers. Josh Bard is a veteran name invited to Spring Training, while Tim Federowicz will provide depth. The starting job, however, will be earned in March.

Infielders : I don’t think it would be too far-fetched to describe the Dodgers infield as scrappy with the likes of veterans Juan Uribe, Mark Ellis and Adam Kennedy in their ranks, all three of whom will be 32 or older come Opening Day. James Loney is the infield star, but hasn’t really fulfilled his potential, despite being a .288 career hitter. Ellis will likely get the starting job at second and is efficient if not glamorous. Dee Gordon will provide the youthful exuberance, having stolen 24 bases in just 56 games last year. He could be one to keep an eye on, while Uribe should get the nod at third. Ivan de Jesus and Justin Sellars are inexperienced youngsters that will need more Minor League seasoning but will provide depth.

Outfielders : There’s only one place to start when breaking down the Dodgers outfield. Matt Kemp is coming off a season in which he hit 39 HRs and 126 RBIs. He became the first player since some guy called Hank Aaron to finish in the top two in homers and steals and he was somewhat surprisingly beaten in the MVP race by Brewers OF Ryan Braun. The question now is, can he get even better? His outfield partners will be Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera, who hit .292 and .274 respectively last season but aren’t the strongest defensively. Tony Gwynn Jr. and Trent Oeltjen are experienced lefties that have been around the league a bit but there is a reason why they haven’t been able to call a place home for long. They are both serviceable, but have weak bats. Jerry Sands struck out in over 25% of his at-bats last season and that will need to be rectified if he wants to break camp on the Opening Day roster. Alex Castellanos, Alfredo Silverio and Scott van Slyke are all currently on the roster but none have seen big league action.

Starting Pitchers : Much like the outfield, there’s only one place to start. Clayton Kershaw is coming off a phenomenal 21-5, 2.28 ERA season that ended with him being rightfully showered with awards. He also became the youngest pitcher, at 23, to claim the Triple Crown since Dwight Gooden in 1985. Should the rotation behind him step it up a notch, the Dodgers could be dangerous. Kuroda has departed, but Ted Lilly and Chad Billingsley remain. While the latter had the worst season of his career (4.21 ERA), Lilly had a typical Lilly season in his inaugural season as a Dodger. The 36 year old recorded the sixth double figure win and loss season of his career. Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang are new arrivals and will form the back-end of the rotation. Both 33 years old, Capuano has had a career blighted with injury, including missing both the ’08 and ’09 seasons, while Harang is coming off the best year of his career, albeit while playing in pitcher friendly Petco Park with the Padres. Rubby de la Rosa and Nathan Eovaldi are a pair of impressive youngsters waiting in the wings. The duo combined for a 3.68 ERA in 23 games (16 starts).

Relief Pitching : Undoubtedly, the area that underwent the most change is the bullpen, but Matt Guerrier, Mike MacDougal and Kenley Jansen all return. The trio recorded the most appearances for the Dodgers pitching staff last season, in that order. While Guerrier was somewhat inconsistent in his first year as a Dodger, MacDougal and Jansen impressed, with the 35 year old MacDougal having his best season yet. Javy Guera figures to be the closer, having gone 21 of 23 in save opportunities last year as a rookie. Scott Elbert and Josh Linblom both had sub 2.75 ERA years, but with no fewer than seven non-roster invitees with MLB experience, places will be at a premium. Todd Coffey is the only new signing actually on the roster, but the bulky veteran is partial to the odd meltdown moment. Blake Hawksworth and Ramon Troncoso both return but struggled last year and the likes of Jamey Wright and Wil Ledezma will push them all the way in Spring Training. The duo head a list of non-roster invitees that also includes lefties John Grabow and Alberto Castillo who will look to compete with Elbert for the specialist role, while Angel Guzman is an extremely talented but oft injured veteran who is in last chance saloon. One thing for sure, though, is that with 32 pitchers expected in Spring Training, pitching coach Rick Honeycutt will have his work cut out in trying to give everyone a fair chance.

PREDICTION : The Dodgers have two of the best players in the Majors in Kemp and Kershaw, but there isn’t a heck of a lot after that, meaning a run at the play-offs is unlikely. Their line-up has a fair amount of speed and power that will see it score runs, but the pitching staff behind Kershaw is average at best. They certainly aren’t the worst team in the league, but they aren’t even close to being the best either. Third place.