LA Dodgers Report to Spring Training in a Couple of Days!

Today is a preview of what the situation the Dodgers will be heading into spring training. For the next couple weeks, I will be focusing more on the Dodgers roster, breaking down the roster competition, who should make the team, the injuries and etc.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers report to spring training at Camelback Ranch in Arizona in a couple of days. This spring training is going to be a important one for the Dodgers. Coming into spring training with new ownership and completely whole new team. The expectations for the Dodgers are very high.

Ned Colletti, the Dodgers general manager, was able to get big name players during the last two months, acquiring the likes of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, shortstop/third baseman Hanley Ramirez, starting pitcher Josh Beckett, reliever Brandon League, and outfielders Shane Victorino and Carl Crawford. During the offseason, Colletti's biggest splash was the signing of starting pitcher Zack Greinke to a 6 year deal for about $146 million.

All these moves that Colletti has made since the trade deadline in July has made me a very happy man because in the previous ownership, (long story short, old owner took money from the team) there was not enough money to get star players or the ability to make big trades. All the big name players that came to Los Angeles in the past few months has me excited for this 2013 season because the expectations are high, but not hard to achieve. The players just have to be themselves.

With a new team in place, the Dodgers will need this spring training to get to know each other, but that will be a tough one to work with considering that some of the star players will be playing in March at the World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez and third baseman Luis Cruz, a surprise gem in last year's season will be playing for Mexico, Ramirez with Dominican Republic, Relief pitchers Ronald Belisario and Steven "Paco" Rodriguez Belisario withe Venezuela and Rodriguez with Spain, and Utility man Nick Punto with Italy. New starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu, whom the Dodgers also signed this offseason from Korea, will not participate in the Classic with Korea. Along with ace Clayton Kershaw and Greinke for USA.

I am excited to see what Crawford brings to Dodgers, I am hoping for the all star player that he was back with the Tampa Bay Rays, his first team. I am confident that Kemp will be back to his all star form because he is very motivated to get back on the field to play the game that he loves. The only question I am concerned with is that Kemp is being too cautious his body because his goal is to be healthy for season.