68-year old Joe Torre somehow kept the Dodgers close enough for the front office to trade for Manny Ramirez at the trade deadline. He also did a good job of keeping Manny motivated and he got the Dodgers to shock the Cubs in the first round of the playoffs in 2008. But, the Dodgers won the N.L. West despite only winning 84 games and losing 78 (51.9%) games during the regular season. With the Giants and D-Backs improving over the winter Torre must motivate his troops from Day #1 this season if they want to return to the playoffs. Torre has now managed 27 years in the major leagues and he has compiled a 2,151-1,848 record (53.8%). Torre has won 6 pennants and 4 World Series (1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 with the Yankees). The Dodgers hope he can earn himself a fifth ring in 2009.

26-year old lefty swinging Andre Ethier will not be looking over his shoulder in 2009 as he will be the full time RF. Ethier played in 141 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 160 for 525 (.305 avg, .885 OPS) with 90 runs scored, 20 homers, 77 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Ethier benefitted big time by having Manny Ramirez in the lineup so he should have his best season ever in 2009. Ethier didn’t make any errors in 109 games in RF last season for the Dodgers while showing poor range.

26-year old switch hitting Delwyn Young will back up Ethier in 2009. Young played in 83 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 31 for 126 (.246 avg, .662 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs. He didn’t make any errors in 11 games in RF last season for the Dodgers while showing poor range.

24-year old lefty swinging outfielder Xavier Paul is the #16 rated prospect in the Dodgers’ system according to Baseball America. Paul played in 115 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 140 for 443 (.316 avg, .841 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 9 homers, 68 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

24-year old righty swinging CF Matt Kemp probably has his best days ahead of him. He played in 155 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 176 for 606 (.290 avg, .799 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 18 homers, 76 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. He only made 1 error in 101 games in CF last season but he didn’t show much range. Kemp does have a RFs arm in CF which is a huge asset as he had 10 assists while playing CF last year.

Juan Pierre will be Kemp’s caddy in 2009. He played in 18 games in CF for the Dodgers last season without making any errors but he showed poor range and he has a very, very weak throwing arm.

28-year old righty swinging Jason Repko will likely start the season in AAA and wait for a call from the Dodgers. He played in 22 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 3 for 18 (.167 avg, .472 OPS) with 1 stolen base. Repko played in 121 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 130 for 459 (.283 avg, .822 OPS) with 89 runs scored, 12 homers, 50 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-

36-year old righty swinging Manny Ramirez played a game of chicken all during the off season with the Dodgers before they gave in slightly and signed him. Ramirez played in 153 games for the Red Sox and Dodgers last season in which he was 183 for 552 (.332 avg, 1.031 OPS) with 102 runs scored, 37 homers and 121 RBIs. He was incredible after coming over from the Red Sox and he made everyone in the Dodgers’ lineup a better hitter. Look out this season for ManRam as he will be motivated by possibly another huge paycheck in 2010 if he opts out of his current contract with the Dodgers. Defense is not Ramirez’ game as he made 3 errors in 119 games in LF last season while showing close to phone booth range. Still, no one in the Dodgers’ front office will be upset with his loafing in the field as long as he continues to rake with the bat.

31-year old lefty swinging Juan Pierre got bumped from his starting job when Ramirez arrived in town and he’s not to pleased about it. He played in 119 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 106 for 375 (.283 avg, .655 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 1 homer, 28 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. Pierre showed poor range in LF last season for the Dodgers despite his great speed as he made 3 errors in 84 games in LF last season.

30-year old righty swinging Valentino Pascucci has the reputation of being a AAAA-player…….too good for the minors but not good enough for the minors. Pascucci played in 139 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 134 for 478 (.280 avg, .911 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 28 homers, 88 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. If the Dodgers suffer some injuries this season Pascucci might get a look.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A

The Dodgers have signed 31-year old lefty reliever Will Ohman to a minor league contract. Ohman pitched in 83 games (0 starts) for the Braves last season and he was 4-1 with 1 save, a 3.68 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Ohman has now pitched in 303 games (0 starts) in his major league career in which he is 10-9 with 2 saves, a 4.16 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. This was a good signing for the Dodgers as Ohman will give them a quality lefty out of the bullpen in 2009.