For the fourth consecutive season, the Los Angeles Dodgers made the postseason. And once again, despite a payroll that exceeded $260 Million by the end of the season, they came up short.
Despite losing Zack Greinke in free agency, the Los Angeles Dodgers came into the 2016 season with high hopes. They were still the favorites in the National League West, and with Clayton Kershaw fronting the rotation, the Dodgers were still expected to contend for the World Series.
They did so, winning the division by four games over the San Francisco Giants, but that victory did not come as expected. The Dodgers had 55 different players make at least one appearance for the team this season, as 27 players ended up on the disabled list. Even Kershaw, arguably the best pitcher in the game currently, missed time due to injury.
However, the reinforcements that Los Angeles acquired helped. Rich Hill, when he was finally able to get over his blister issues, provided that second starter the Dodgers needed. Unsung players like Joe Blanton and Ross Stripling provided surprising value. Even 37 year old Carlos Ruiz proved to be a solid acquisition, even though the trade of the popular A.J. Ellis sent shockwaves through the clubhouse.
But in the end, despite their resiliency and ability to overcome these injuries, the Dodogers once again came up short. This time, the Chicago Cubs overcame the Dodgers, as Kershaaw once again struggled in a postseason game. Now, Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers front office need to retool, figuring out a way to get past that final hurdle and return to the World Series once again.
In doing so, they will need to pay heed to the lessons learned from the 2016 campaign. So, let us look back at the Los Angeles Dodgers from this past season, and see what we can learn going forward.