San Francisco Giants 2017 Preview of NL West Opponents: The Dodgers

By Jake Mastroianni

Mar 28, 2017

Apr 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA: General view of Dodger Stadium entrance sign during ceremony to rename Elysian Park Avenue to Vin Scully Avenue in honor of Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Scully, who is retiring after 67 years after the 2016 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 22, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) catches a fly ball during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Subtractions

There were not many subtractions for the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason. As I mentioned before, they will pretty much be the same team in 2017 as they were in 2016.

The biggest subtractions from last year’s team are utility player Howie Kendrick, and long reliever Joe Blanton.

Both of these players will certainly be missed as they were very versatile in their respective roles.

Kendrick played four different positions for the Dodgers last year. He played 94 games in left field, 32 at second base, 17 at third base and 11 at first base.

He hit a solid .255 with 65 runs scored, 8 home runs, 40 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 146 games. That production and versatility will be missed, but can be replaced.

The Dodgers traded Kendrick to the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney.

Blanton threw the fifth most innings for the Dodgers last year with 80 in 75 games. What made him so versatile is that he threw 1-plus innings in 17 of those appearances.

Overall, Blanton had an ERA of 2.48 with 80 strikeouts in those 80 innings and a WHIP of 1.01.

Now the Dodgers will have to find someone to eat up all of those innings.

Blanton signed a one year, $4 million deal with the Washington Nationals this offseason. It could be interesting if those two teams meet up in the playoffs.