With the start of Spring Training less than two weeks away, the Los Angeles Dodgers roster all but appears to be set.
There’s been some turnover, with Zack Greinke essentially getting replaced by Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda. However, much of the core from last season’s roster returns; including Brett Anderson and Howie Kendrick.
Anderson accepted the Dodgers’ one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer, while Kendrick ended his quiet offseason by signing a two-year, $20 million deal.
Los Angeles also completed a three-team trade with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox, acquiring prospects Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson.
Despite not adding any big-name position players, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman believes the club’s lineup will be a strength this season, according to Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider:
“We feel like the length of our lineup will be a strength of ours, in terms of one through eight,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said today. “We feel like the depth of our lineup will be a strength of ours. In terms of the exact lineup configuration, that will probably be more of a topic of conversation in Spring Training.”
Friedman added with Spring Training right around the corner, the front office is pleased with the current roster in place, but he would not hesitate to make a move if it meant improving:
“We feel good about our roster, where we are right now,” Friedman said. “That being said, if we can figure out ways to improve for 2016, we’ll be aggressive to do so.”
Over the past three seasons the Dodgers have won 90-plus games each year, and three consecutive National League West division titles. Their quest to getting over the postseason hump begins Feb. 19 when pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training.
