Los Angeles Dodgers: Five bold predictions for 2018

2. The new bullpen acquisitions will have a big role

While the Dodgers have been relatively quiet this offseason, they have made a few minor moves that do not appear as much to many MLB fans. However, if you are a Dodger fan, you know that Andrew Friedman has a strange ability to pick diamonds out of the rough.

The first move the Dodgers made this offseason was signing right-handed pitcher Tom Koehler to a one-year contract. Koehler has not necessarily been great in his MLB career; last season the right-hander held a 6.69 ERA in 72.2 innings pitched.

However, Koehler did thrive when he moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen with the Toronto Blue Jays. Working nearly exclusively out of the ‘pen in Toronto, Koehler had a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings pitched. Small sample size, yes, but promising for the Dodgers.

Then there is Henry Owens, a former top prospect and first-round pick in the MLB Draft. Owens has not lived up to expectations in his career and his days as a starter may be behind him. However, Owens is very similar to Brandon Morrow and his career path. Morrow also was a first-round pick and failed to stick as a starter.

The left-handed throwing Owens can move into the bullpen, take a lesser workload and really work on his best stuff. As we saw with Tony Cingrani, the Dodgers will pick out what they love about Owens and have him use that repeatedly.

Koehler and Owens certainly will not turn any heads early in the season. However, as the year goes on, we will be talking about how Friedman has struck lightning yet again.