|
Los Angeles Dodgers
Players to Watch
Scouting Report | By the Numbers | Projected Roster
The
X-Factor
Todd
Hollandsworth could teach the Nanny a thing or two about chutzpah. After
winning the 1996 NL Rookie of the Year, he stunk last
season, batting .247 with four home runs and 31 RBIs, a
performance that got him a 16-day stint in the minors.
So,
what happened? Hollandsworth demanded a
$600,000 raise during the
off-season, to $1.15 million (he lost his arbitration and was
awarded $700,000). For the Dodgers offense to reach maximum
potency, Hollandsworth must return to rookie
form—meaning a .291 average, 12 homers, 59 RBIs, 21 stolen bases
... and zero days in the
minors.
Off-Season
Moves
What They Needed: A closer. A shortstop. Team
harmony.
What They Got: Outfielders Trenidad Hubbard and Matt Luke.
Shortstop-second baseman Jose Vizcaino. Pitcher Jim
Bruske.
What it All Means: Every year the Dodgers add marginal talent with the hope
that it'll be enough, and it rarely is. This year's no
different. Vizcaino, a solid fielder with an effective bat,
is an improvement over the retired Greg Gagne. Todd Worrell
also hung up his uni,
but Los Angeles thinks Antonio Osuna is ready to take over
the closer's role. With the emerging Dennis Reyes, the
departure of aging starter Tom Candiotti probably won't
hurt.
Scouting Report | By the Numbers | Players To Watch | Projected Roster
| 
