The five Dodgers with the most to prove during 2018
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Dodgers fell one game short of World Series gold in 2017. The entire team has something to prove during the 2018 season.
Coming one game short of winning the World Series may be the worst season result a fan could ask for. Sure, Dodger fans were blessed with the joy of a World Series berth that 30 other teams were not granted. However, nothing is more heartbreaking than knowing your team was a solid 27 outs away from their first title in 29 years.
Now, the Dodgers must avoid a World Series loss hangover and thus have plenty to prove to the rest of the league. Can they rebound and be a juggernaut once more? Will missing out on Giancarlo Stanton hinder their performance?
There are five players leading the way for the Dodgers next season with the most to prove. Whether that is because of bad performances, being a new face, or a contract season; these Dodgers have the most to prove in 2018.
Pedro Baez
September 2017 was the meltdown of Pedro Baez. All season long Baez was arguably the best reliever in the Dodgers bullpen not named Kenley Jansen. Months of solid production earned Baez the setup man role as he provided a dominant one-two punch alongside Jansen in the eighth and ninth innings.
Then September happened. On paper, Baez overall season still looked great. He still had just a 2.95 ERA in 64.0 innings pitched with 64 strikeouts. However, in September, Baez threw just 8.2 innings with a 10.38 ERA and four losses. Baez then lost his setup man job and did not make any postseason roster.
Baez will be given his freedom back in early 2018 to prove if his September meltdown is just a thing of the past. If it is not, a trip to Oklahoma City may be in store for the hard-throwing right-hander. Regardless, Baez job is at stake.