After coming close to the playoffs during an 86 win and 76 loss year in 2012, the Dodgers want to come back strong with improved talent and management.  The 2013 season is the first time that management is not causing drama for the team since before the controversial divorce proceedings of the former owners, Frank and Jamie McCourt.  Last May when Frank McCourt reluctantly agreed to sell the Dodgers, the LA club went for an astounding $2 million to a group of owners, including Guggenheim Baseball Management and former Los Angeles Lakers hall of famer Magic Johnson.  This new managerial group has been much more willing to spend money on the team, giving it the highest pay roll of all time at over $255 million.

A huge portion of this pay roll has gone toward the acquisition of starting pitchers, including a six-year deal with powerhouse pitcher Zack Greinke.  The Dodgers hold high hopes for Greinke, who is a top Major League pitcher and former Cy-Young award winner.  The team has also chosen to gamble on right-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu of Korea, paying him an initial $25 million just for the rights to negotiate a contract and finally signed him on a $36 million six-year contract.  The Dodgers’ general manager, Ned Colletti, is hoping for Ryu to follow in the footsteps of former Dodger pitcher, Chan Ho Park, who was also recruited from Korea.  For now Ryu is still seen as unpredictable because he has only ever faced Major League players during the Olympic games in 2012.

Other significant additions to the Dodgers include Carl Crawford, former player for the Red Socks, who is currently recovering from a season-ending surgery from last August.  The team is hoping for a speedy rehabilitation for the four-time All-Star and former Gold Glove winner.  Also packaged in the Dodger-Red Socks trade were pitcher Josh Beckett and slugger first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  These newly added players are projected to be huge components to the success of the team.

Spring training will be the best indicator of what this year has in store for the Dodgers.  Time will tell whether the team’s new additions will have a positive effect on the outcome of the season.