Los Angeles Dodgers: 20 bold predictions for the 2018 Dodgers
By Jason Reed
Predictions 8 and 9:
Prediction eight: The Los Angeles Dodgers will make some sort of move for starting pitching
The Los Angeles Dodgers ultimately let Yu Darvish walk as they could not free up the luxury tax space to pay him the kind of money he was asking for. Without him, the starting rotation is still pretty solid and will take the Dodgers pretty far. However, they would still be better off adding one more great arm.
The guy that makes the most sense and has been rumored for awhile is Chris Archer. Archer is relatively cheap, is under team control through 2021 and is right-handed; everything the Dodgers could want.
Halfway through the year, I expect the Rays to finally realize that they cannot actually contend in the American League and blow the whole team up.
Prediction nine: Yasmani Grandal will become the clear-cut starting catcher
Heading into Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the wonderful problem of having two fantastic catchers and having to juggle playing time between them both. Right now, I think it is fair to say that many think of Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes as equals who will receive more playing time.
However, I also think that Grandal, who is in a contract year nonetheless, will begin to pull away from Barnes similar to how Barnes pulled away from him late last year.
2017 was not great for Yasmani Grandal but he still brings a ton of positives to the table. First and foremost, he is the best power-hitting catcher in the MLB at his best and can easily hit .270. Second, Grandal is awesome behind the plate which has led to great numbers while catching Clayton Kershaw.
Austin Barnes is good, without a doubt. But something tells me that Grandal is going to play with a chip on his shoulder in 2018.