Kuzul

With spring training set to begin in a few short weeks and Opening Day less than two months away, fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers can’t help but feel a tingle of anxiety knowing that baseball season is only just around the corner.

The struggles of 2010 are now in the past.

Headed by skipper Don Mattingly, the 2011 coaching staff is almost entirely brand new, while multiple moves made by general manager Ned Colletti have filled several gaps in the roster. Although a small number of fans still remain pessimistic as Frank McCourt barely holds on to his regime as owner, the majority see 2011 as a fresh opportunity for the Boys in Blue to become contenders once again.

The home opener in 2009 was truly something special. Second baseman Orlando Hudson impressed the entire baseball world by hitting for the cycle in his first home game as a Dodger. Chad Billingsley was brilliant on the mound, surrendering only five hits and one earned run while striking out 11. The remainder of the Dodgers lineup had an offensive field day against future Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson, as Los Angeles routed the San Francisco Giants, 11-1.

Despite all the glory, Dodgers fans were forced to wait an entire week from the beginning of the season to see their beloved club take the field at Chavez Ravine.

Moving into the 2011 campaign, Dodger Stadium will play host to Opening Day for the first time in three years. And what’s more fitting is that Los Angeles will battle long-time rival and 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants. The sellout crowd on-hand will promise to be nothing short of electrifying.

As a prelude to the clash with the Giants on March 31, the following slides highlight the 10 best individual Opening Day performances by Dodgers players over the past 25 years. Fasten your seat belts and enjoy a quick ride through a quarter-century of Dodgers history.

Begin Slideshow

If anybody has got it made in the game of baseball today, it’s Albert Pujols.  He is currently the hot topic of debate in the newspapers, on websites, on television, and even in conversation.  He’s currently entering the final year of his current contra – as if you all didn’t already know that – and he’s contemplating on taking his unmatched skill elsewhere.

Pujols has declared that he will not negotiate a contract extension with the Cardinals after the onset of Spring Training, and has said that he will use his no-trade clause to veto any potential trades that may be executed midseason.

Even if the Cardinals don’t entice Pujols with what he feels is a respectable offer prior to the season, they are far from out of the hunt.  Frequent big money spenders like the Yankees and Red Sox are currently not in the market for a heavy hitting first basemen, as they have Mark Teixeira and Adrian Gonzalez, respectively.

Although Gonzalez is not currently under contract for more than this 2011 season, it is assumed around the league that the Sox will retain him for most of the near future.

The Cardinals would most likely have to compete with the Cubs (Carlos Pena is only under contract for this season), Blue Jays (you never know with Alex Anthopolous), Dodgers (if they part with James Loney), and Angels (if Kendry Morales shifts to the DH position). 

Pure speculation on my part, as other teams will surely be in the mix.  From the teams mentioned above, I see the Angels with the most legitimate shot at Pujols, but again, pure speculation.

If Pujols was smart, though, he’d stay right where he is in St. Louis. 

He has that city in the palm of his hand.  Albert Pujols is a baseball god to Cardinals fans, fans who are very educated about their past baseball heroes.  If he continues his career in St. Louis, he could realistically lead the franchise in just about every career offensive category.

That’s saying something.  There have been tons of great players in Cardinals history, and to be considered amongst them is a true honor.

Even though they may be expecting somewhat of a home town discount, the Cardinals will stay pay Pujols a large chunk of change.  Although he’s never had a reason to be hated, accepting a smaller contract to play for his current team would only boost his popularity.

Baseball needs another one-team superstar, and being one of them would enhance his popularity even more.  Players today just don’t stay with one team anymore, as they are always interested in “testing the market.”  Money speaks in today’s game and hopefully Pujols chooses not to listen.

As good as Pujols is, and he’s really good, there is always an adjustment period when playing for a new club.  Optimistically, he’d love for those new team jitters to get played out in Spring Training, but you never know what could happen. 

Realistically, it won’t lead to that much of a drop in his production because, well, he’s Albert Pujols, but fans love to see newly acquired players produce.  If he stumbles out of the gate, he may be in for one heck of a tenure with his new team.

Do I want Pujols to stay? Yes, I most certainly do.

Do I think he will?  It’s very tough to gauge it at this point.

He seems very serious at this point, and a serious player is a dangerous player.  Look out for Albert this season, as he’s motivated and playing for that next contract.

As if pitchers needed to worry any more about him.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to be in good shape up until last season.  In each of the previous two seasons, they had reached the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Then in 2010, the wheels came off and the Dodgers fell apart.  This caused them to trade Manny Ramirez away, eating a large sum of his money.

The Dodgers are still a team with a good source of options.  With the NL West being a wide-open field, the Dodgers can still make some noise in the future.  Their turnaround has to come now, though.  Another poor season won’t serve anyone in the Dodger organization well.  

James Loney could be the most trade-worthy Dodger of them all.  He’s the perfect trade chip at this point.  For both Loney and the Dodgers, this would be a positive move.  Loney could get a fresh start and the Dodgers could continue to rebuild—without Loney.  

The Dodgers haven’t gotten the power production that was expected from Loney yet. While Loney has hit for average in convincing numbers, his power hasn’t been on display in Los Angeles.  Also, his average his declined in each of the past four seasons.  

Though Loney is a solid hitter and fielder, the Dodgers could look at other options.  With an increasing annual salary, Loney may not be worth what he’s set to make in the future. That being said, 2011 will truly be a huge year for the young first baseman.

If he can show Dodger brass that he can play up to expectations, they will likely pay to keep him around.  Otherwise, they will venture out to other possibilities and take a different route at first. 

Loney isn’t set to become a free agent until 2013.  Before this, he’s arbitration eligible in 2011 and likely will make somewhere around $3.5 million.  In 2012, that salary will hike to somewhere around $5 million.  By this time he will have made a nice chunk of money that will only continue to increase.  The question then becomes: Do the Dodgers continue to pay him?

With hefty first baseman Prince Fielder wanting a new home, a trade could be possible. Talks of a three-player deal involving Loney, Fielder and fire-thrower Jonathan Broxton have entertained both Milwaukee and LA.  

Though this rumor was immediately shot down, it sort of makes sense.  All three of these players would benefit from a change in scenery.  Fielder has been on the trade block for quite some time now in Milwaukee, for the better part of two seasons.  Loney’s name has suddenly surfaced and Broxton has struggled in LA.  You definitely can’t rely on Broxton against the Philadelphia Phillies.  

Unless they were to acquire another first basemen in return, it would be hard for LA to part with Loney.  There’s no other first baseman in the organization that’s MLB-ready, at least no one that can play every day.

The jury is still out on James Loney for now.  The possibilities are endless as this youngster certainly could make for a good trade chip.  At the time, the Dodgers appear ready to stand pat on Loney.  But that could all change in a flash.  For the time being, we will continue watching this situation unfold.     

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The MLB winter meetings will take place this week in Florida, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a lot of work to do. Despite a flurry of moves that brought Juan Uribe, Jon Garland and Rod Barajas to LA, the Dodgers have holes to fill in left field and in the bullpen. They also need to address the somewhat unsteady production they got from first baseman James Loney and center fielder Matt Kemp in 2010.

General manager Ned Colletti has plenty to do, as the Dodgers are still not ready to usurp the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants yet. The team’s ability to challenge San Francisco and Colorado for NL West supremacy may hinge on how well Colletti does this week. Read on for five moves the Dodgers need to make, or at least explore, in order to become favorites in the West in 2011.

Begin Slideshow

On the first day of the Winter Meetings, a very interesting rumor is being reported by multiple sources—the Los Angeles Dodgers are discussing a possible trade which would send first baseman James Loney and closer Jonathan Broxton to Milwaukee for first baseman Prince Fielder.

This would be yet another move by a Dodger team that is quickly establishing themselves as a favorite in the NL West.

Last season, Fielder hit .261 with 32 home runs and 83 RBIs. He also posted an OBP of .401, leading the NL in walks with 114 in 2010.

In previous seasons, the Dodgers have been hesitant to move Loney because they don’t have another first baseman within the organization to replace him, but that would all change with the addition of Prince Fielder.

Fielder is a free agent at the end of the 2011 season and is in his last year of arbitration eligibility. Feeling they will be unable to sign Fielder to a long-term contract, the Brewers are looking to move him.

The Dodgers are a perfect fit for the big lefty slugger, but a trade does open up some issues for the Dodgers, mainly at the closer’s position.

Broxton began the season as the team’s closer but was wildly inconsistent and eventually lost the closer’s job in August. Despite his struggles, the Dodgers don’t have a lot of other options to close out games. Hong-Chih Kuo is a possibility, perhaps the only one, but he has had injury problems in the past and can’t be counted on for a full season.

If the Dodgers are able to trade for Fielder, it would be a huge pickup for a team which seriously lacked power last season. Fielder averages 40 homers per season, nearly a dozen more than any other player in the Dodger lineup.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

On the first day of the Winter Meetings, a very interesting rumor is being reported by multiple sources—the Los Angeles Dodgers are discussing a possible trade which would send first baseman James Loney and closer Jonathan Broxton to Milwaukee for first baseman Prince Fielder.

This would be yet another move by a Dodger team that is quickly establishing themselves as a favorite in the NL West.

Last season, Fielder hit .261 with 32 home runs and 83 RBIs. He also posted an OBP of .401, leading the NL in walks with 114 in 2010.

In previous seasons, the Dodgers have been hesitant to move Loney because they don’t have another first baseman within the organization to replace him, but that would all change with the addition of Prince Fielder.

Fielder is a free agent at the end of the 2011 season and is in his last year of arbitration eligibility. Feeling they will be unable to sign Fielder to a long-term contract, the Brewers are looking to move him.

The Dodgers are a perfect fit for the big lefty slugger, but a trade does open up some issues for the Dodgers, mainly at the closer’s position.

Broxton began the season as the team’s closer but was wildly inconsistent and eventually lost the closer’s job in August. Despite his struggles, the Dodgers don’t have a lot of other options to close out games. Hong-Chih Kuo is a possibility, perhaps the only one, but he has had injury problems in the past and can’t be counted on for a full season.

If the Dodgers are able to trade for Fielder, it would be a huge pickup for a team which seriously lacked power last season. Fielder averages 40 homers per season, nearly a dozen more than any other player in the Dodger lineup.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

According to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Brewers and Dodgers are discussing a possible trade that would send 1B Prince Fielder to the Dodgers in exchange for 1B James Loney and closer Jonathan Broxton.

The Dodgers are a team in need of power and run production which Fielder would provide. Fielder’s HR, RBI, BB and OBP numbers would all dwarf the other player’s in the somewhat anemic Dodger’s offense.

While the Brewers would not be getting starting pitching in return, they would be getting a very capable 1B and a once-dominant closer. While Jon Axford acquitted himself admirably in the closer’s role for the Brewers, Broxton would be solid insurance if Axford were to falter in 2011.

The deal makes sense for both sides. Based on what I had been hearing, I am a bit surprised the Brewers would get as much as is being discussed. If Broxton can regain his form, this could end up being a steal for the Brewers especially if Fielder walks as a free-agent.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

According to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Brewers and Dodgers are discussing a possible trade that would send 1B Prince Fielder to the Dodgers in exchange for 1B James Loney and closer Jonathan Broxton.

The Dodgers are a team in need of power and run production which Fielder would provide. Fielder’s HR, RBI, BB and OBP numbers would all dwarf the other player’s in the somewhat anemic Dodger’s offense.

While the Brewers would not be getting starting pitching in return, they would be getting a very capable 1B and a once-dominant closer. While Jon Axford acquitted himself admirably in the closer’s role for the Brewers, Broxton would be solid insurance if Axford were to falter in 2011.

The deal makes sense for both sides. Based on what I had been hearing, I am a bit surprised the Brewers would get as much as is being discussed. If Broxton can regain his form, this could end up being a steal for the Brewers especially if Fielder walks as a free-agent.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Among his dozens of cluttered notepads and hundreds of files containing scouting reports of players across Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti has the beginnings of an Opening Day roster plan stirring in the back of his mind.

Since the moment Colletti and team owner Frank McCourt announced a potential increased payroll budget for 2011, fans throughout Dodgertown have been imagining both the best and worst possible scenarios for the upcoming season.

Names such as Cliff Lee, Adam Dunn, Carl Crawford, Victor Martinez and Jayson Werth have been the talk of Tinseltown, yet with several minor tweaks and a few key additions, the Dodgers may not need to break the bank or sell the farm to once again emerge as contenders in the NL West.

On paper, the Boys in Blue weren’t as bad as their 2010 record suggested. However, problems with ownership, hostility within the coaching staff, and turmoil in the clubhouse created a negative chemistry which led to one of the more disappointing seasons in recent Dodgers history.

Colletti and new Los Angeles skipper Don Mattingly have been carefully assembling a coaching staff with all of the team’s best interests in mind, and with the proper bonding and a bit of luck, the Dodgers may create the exact type of locker room atmosphere which the squad desperately needs.

Of course, there are literally thousands of roster possibilities for next year, and a number of MLB experts and analysts are already tossing around names of players who may be taking the field at Chavez Ravine on Opening Day.

The following slides highlight seven bold predictions for the Dodgers’ Opening Day squad, offer a brief commentary for each and suggest a starting lineup against the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants on April 1.

Begin Slideshow

Adrian Beltre will be the third-most sought-after free agent position player this offseason, but may provide the best value to whoever signs himt.

Beltre declined his player option for 2011, after a 2010 season in which he made $10 million while delivering 7.1 WAR. On top of his defense, which is always stellar at third base, Beltre has rediscovered the batting stroke that eluded him during his entire five-year tenure in Seattle.

In 2004, after a season in which he hit 48 home runs and was worth 10.1 WAR, Beltre inked a five-year deal worth $64 million to play for the Mariners. His time there was miserable, however, and Beltre fled to Boston last winter.

The decision was a good one: Beltre should now receive a deal in excess of four years and $45 million. Still, given his undervalued and unmatched defense at the hot corner, the team who signs him will be getting a bargain.

Which team will that be? It’s impossible to say right now, but here are all 30 teams, ranked in order from least to most likely to sign Beltre.

Begin Slideshow