Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2014 Finish: 94-68, 1st in NL West, Lost in NLDS
- 2015 Key to Success: Joc Pederson’s coming of age
Although the Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West with 94 wins a season ago, they decided to alter the makeup of the roster after another disappointing postseason.
Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez are gone. What it signals is the organization’s trust in super prospect Joc Pederson.
The trading of Kemp highlights Pederson’s time has come. Whether he can take advantage is an entirely different story – but will be the top story for the Dodgers in 2015.
The way the lineup shakes out right now, they’ll need Pederson to eventually plant himself in the middle of that lineup.
Adrian Gonzalez is still there, but at 32-years of age, will start to slow down eventually. Yasiel Puig is also somebody to be reckoned with in the middle of the lineup, and his production will be very much welcomed.
Los Angeles still has the great rotation with all-world Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. They’re also equipped with a filthy closer in Kanley Jansen.
An argument is definitely real that Los Angeles can still be contenders without a lick of production from Pederson.
However, for them to officially take that next step in the postseason, Pederson will need to bring his talents to the show in a major way.
During Spring Training he’s currently hitting .415 with 3 HR and 8 RBI.
Not a bad start for the kid.
Next: 10 Players Who'll Breakout In 2015
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