Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax has "retired" from his position with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an advisor but he still dropped into the Dodgers Spring Training Camp and met with Clayton Kershaw and a few others. Koufax has been associated with he Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for the better part of the past 60 seasons. Koufax's last two seasons may have been the most dominant back-to-back seasons for a pitcher in baseball history. 84 games, 82 starts, 53-17 record (with two saves for good measure), ERA under two, and 54 complete games. When Koufax pitched, you finished what you started. Koufax is well renowned for his ability to explain pitching mechanics to pitchers and has taken Kershaw under his wing. A Hall of Famer as your mentor? Not a bad teacher to have.

Was There Ever Any Doubt?

Clayton Kershaw was named as the Opening Day Starter for the sixth season in a row. Was there ever any doubt that Kershaw was going to get the opening day nod? I am hard pressed to see who is going to follow Kershaw after opening day. Ryu will not be back until May, McCarthy will not be back until after the all star break, nobody knows what Kenta Maeda can do, and Alex Wood might be the Dodgers "X" factor. Newly signed Scott Kazmir will be penciled in as the #2 starter, and Brett Anderson will be the #3. Maeda might be the only right handed pitcher in the mix.

The Arms Race

The Los Angeles Dodgers were recently named as having one of the top farm systems in baseball led by #1 overall prospect, shortstop Corey Seager. The Dodgers also have a wealth of power arms led by #1 left handed pitching prospect, 19 year old Julio Urias. Right hander Jose De Leon is also high up on everyone's prospect list.

Urias and De Leon were two of the prospects and power arms that the Dodgers invited to spring training as non-roster players. Joining those two as non-roster invitees will be Chris Anderson, Chase De Jong (acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays last season), Caleb Dirks (acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves last season), and Jacob Rhame. Other young arms that are already on the 40 man roster- Jharel Cotton, Zach Lee, and Ross Stripling- will be in camp as well.

The Dodgers proved last year that you can never have enough starting pitching and with Zach Greinke gone, Hyun Jin-Ryu coming back from an injury, and Brandon McCarthy already on the disabled list, the Dodgers are still looking for starting pitching but they will not rush any of these young arms along before they are ready.

Kendrick Back In The Fold

Second baseman Howie Kendrick has reportedly been re-signed by the Dodgers to a two year deal worth $20 million. The deal is pending a physical. Kendrick had a solid season for the Dodgers last year after being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim via trade. Kendrick did have a couple of stints on the Disabled List. He turned down a qualifying offer of $15.8 million from the Dodgers after the season. Kendrick will help solidify the Dodgers at second base and Kendrick and Chase Utley will give the Dodgers a veteran presence in the middle of the infield.