Los Angeles Dodgers: 20 bold predictions for the 2018 Dodgers

Predictions 13-15:

Prediction 13: The Los Angeles Dodgers will have at most four all-stars next year

The Los Angeles Dodgers housed five all-stars in 2017; six if you want to count Clayton Kershaw AND Alex Wood despite Wood filling in for Kershaw. In 2018, though, I do not see the Dodgers having more than four all-stars in the MLB All-Star Game.

The three locks (if they are healthy) are Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager and Kenley Jansen. Justin Turner could make it in but in a deep third base pool, and how it took the final vote last year, it isn’t hard to imagine him not getting in.

Bellinger will not make it if he plays like he did in the second half of last year and Wood should not have even made it to begin with. If I had to bet on any Dodger to get included with the three locks, it would be Chris Taylor.

Prediction 14: There will be no “starting” left fielder

As much as it breaks conventional wisdom (although that is something that is shifting in today’s age) the Dodgers will not have a “starting” left fielder in 2018.

Sure, they may have one guy that is ranked higher on the depth charts on ESPN, but left field will likely serve as a rotation door of platoon players and bench players. Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Matt Kemp, Enrique Hernandez and Alex Verdugo will likely all see time in left during the year.

Prediction 15: Chase Utley will prove to be a locker room signing only

I am happy that Chase Utley is returning to the Dodgers, but there are better options. With all things considered, Utley is not a bad backup second baseman. It is just hard that he has to be in the lineup so much with Forsythe’s inability to hit right-handers (which should be better).

Utley is far from his MVP caliber days and gives more value with his locker room presence and leadership. Down the stretch of the season, when Utley is batting .230, we will all remember that he is simply just a locker room signing.