Los Angeles Dodgers: 20 bold predictions for the 2018 Dodgers

Predictions 3-5:

Prediction three: Cody Bellinger will regress in 2018

Expecting Cody Bellinger to have the same kind of 2018 as he did in 2017 is a bit unfair, to begin with. Just because Bellinger may be due for a regression does not necessarily mean that his season will be bad in 2017.

However, Bellinger’s power-hitting, high strikeout player mold very rarely translates to long-term success in the MLB. There are so many examples of this being the case and we actually made a pretty good statistical comparison in a previous article.

Pitchers find holes in power-hitting swings. What will really make or break Bellinger’s long-term success will be if he can fix those holes. 2018 will be a learning curve as he attempts to do so.

Prediction four: Trayce Thompson will ultimately be traded

Well, this one is a bit of a no-brainer. Trayce Thompson really has no role on the Los Angeles Dodgers and may be better suited in a trade package for a bullpen or depth arm. There are at least six guys ahead of Thompson in the outfield playing picture, there is no way Thompson can make a case for playing time unless he hits .400 this spring.

It is very hard to imagine the Dodgers simply holding onto Thompson in AAA for depth. Sure, that could be useful if they trade a guy like Matt Kemp, but even then Thompson is not needed.

Which leads us to our next point:

Prediction five: Matt Kemp will be cut before he is traded

Quite frankly, I do not see the Los Angeles Dodgers finding a suitable trade suitor for Matt Kemp unless they also package Alex Verdugo, which would be highly unlikely for the team to do if they are already moving an outfielder.

With that being said, Kemp has two routes. First, Kemp can practically “play for his job,” continuing to produce to continue to make his case for a roster spot.

However, that roster spot is very useful. If Kemp is not producing some June, the Dodgers may simply pull a Carl Crawford on Kemp and cut him, eating his salary in the process. Of course, I would rather see him dealt, but it is hard to imagine unless he has a career resurgence. At that point, the Dodgers would then want to keep him.