In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
With pitchers and catchers for the Pittsburgh Pirates reporting in about a month, our wake up calls will focus on something a little different this week.
Every day, we will take a look at how the Pirates rotation, bullpen and position players compare to each of last year’s five postseason teams from the National League. We will also determine which team has the advantage in each area.
This morning, we take a look at how the Bucs compare to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2016 NL West division champions, who lost in last year’s National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs.
Rotation
The Dodgers starting rotation, led by three time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, is veteran heavy. At 36 years old, Rich Hill, who re-signed with the Dodgers this offseason, joins Scott Kazmir, Kenta Maeda and Julio Urias amongst the top candidates to make up the Dodgers 2017 rotation.
The Dodgers also have depth as Hyun-Jin Ryu, Jose De Leon and Brandon McCarthy could also battle for rotation spots. Because of this depth, I give the Dodgers the advantage over the Pirates rotation that will likely include multiple young pitchers.
Bullpen
Throughout the last few years, the Pirates bullpen has had it’s ups and downs. After having one of the best bullpens in baseball in 2015, the Pirates pen struggled a bit more last season. Though I expect the Pirates relief unit to bounce back this season, the Dodgers also have one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Led by closer Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers had arguably one of the best bullpens in baseball last season. Jansen re-signed with the Dodgers this offseason and will likely be joined in the pen in ’17 by relievers such as Luis Avilan, Vidal Nuno, Josh Fields and even former starter Alex Wood.
The Dodgers have a ton of relief options they could turn to in 2017. The Pirates may have this luxury as well. However, the Dodgers depth may slightly top the Bucs.
Position Players
While the Pirates outfield has a trio of all-star caliber outfielders, the Dodgers have something that they don’t: Outfield depth. With names such as Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, Trayce Thompson and Andrew Toles, LA has a ton of guys in the outfield mix.
LA also has a very stellar infield entering 2017. With Justin Turner returning to play third base, Corey Seager at shortstop, Enrique Hernandez at second, Adrian Gonzalez at first and Yasmani Grandal behind the plate, the dodgers have five solid defenders and some above average bats.
Turner and Seager established themselves as offensive threats last season and Gonzalez has been a threat for years now. They lead an impressive group of position players that, in my opinion, has the advantage when compared to the Bucs position players.
Baseball Talk on the Web
- Jay Jaffe of Sports Illustrated projects the 2017 Hall of Fame vote.
- Bleacher Report takes a look at each MLB team’s untouchable prospects.
- MLB.com reports on the Seattle Mariners making a pair of trades to acquire Drew Smyly.
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