The Dodgers' Outfield

Although the Dodgers starting outfielders have big resumes, but there are still a few questions regarding, the players who are coming off serious injuries. Outfielders Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp, both had serious shoulder injuries last season that required surgeries. Andre Ethier was healthy all last season.

Crawford had Tommy John surgery, usually required by pitchers, when he was with the Boston Red Sox. Three days later, he was a part of a monster trade that sent him to Los Angeles, along with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, starting pitcher Josh Beckett, and utility man, Nick Punto. After getting the Tommy John surgery, pitchers would have to sit a year for the surgery to heal, but in Crawford's case, it was a different story. He would sit out only 6-8 months for his arm to heal since he is an outfielder. Crawford should be able to bat in the 2nd spot and man the left field for the Dodgers, come Opening Day.

Crawford is one of the few players that I am excited about because just two years ago, he was the most coveted player in free agency. After being in Boston for two toxic years, I believe he will get a fresh start here in Los Angeles because he is a better environment, he is on a team that is in playoff contention and he won't be relied on too heavily. I am rooting for this guy to do well in Los Angeles. If plays like he did back in his Tampa Bay Rays' days, the Dodgers outfield could really exciting and dangerous to watch. This would be bad news for other teams.

Kemp, who is also coming off serious shoulder surgery, is on track to start on opening day in center field. Kemp who was 2nd place in the MVP race two years ago, is expected to be one of the leaders in the star-studded clubhouse and is also the face of the franchise. Kemp, a year ago, only help and protection in the lineup was right fielder Andre Ethier. Now, coming into spring training, he is going to have a lot of help in the batting order. Crawford, Ethier, Gonzalez, and shortstop Hanley Ramirez will be protecting Kemp. Kemp will be batting cleanup or the fourth spot and playing in center field on Opening Day.

Kemp is one of the few players that I have faith that will start the season on fire and he could be a early candidate in the MVP race. He is a very special player that has the ability to do everything, playing solid defense, hitting home runs, steal bases, getting extra base hits (meaning hitting doubles) and throwing players out from center field to home plate. He is so athletic that it's so exciting to watch. I am very glad he signed a big extension to remain with the Dodgers for the next 6-7 years.

The last outfielder of the three is Ethier. Both Ethier and Kemp have played together through the smooth and rough times. Now this spring, Ethier should be able to relax more often with the heavy workload being split up between Crawford, Ethier, Kemp, Gonzalez and Ramirez.My only concern for Ethier is can he still hit left-handed pitchers. I hope he will work with new hitting coach, Mark McGuire. Ethier is starting his first year of his most recent extension which is for 5 years for $80 million. Ethier should be batting fifth in the lineup and playing right field on Opening Day. If he can improve his hitting against left-handed pitching, then the opposing pitchers will have a lot of fear facing these outfielders in the lineup every night.