Starting Rotation Question Marks

With just a week to go until the start of the regular season the Los Angeles Dodgers are still facing many unanswered questions that have fans concerned. Last week manager Joe Torre named Vicente Padilla the Opening Day starter, a move which surprised and angered many fans. The decision to start Padilla on Opening Day however, just further stresses the Dodgers’ need for help in their rotation.

In last season’s loss to the Phillies in the NLCS the Dodgers were severely outmatched, and much of that stemmed from the starting rotation.  Even after the obvious recognition regarding the starting rotation the Dodgers have taken a step backwards heading into the 2010 season. Randy Wolf, arguably the Dodgers most consistent starter last season, left for the Milwaukee Brewers via free agency. This leaves Padilla, and his 4.33 career ERA, as the arm the Dodgers are relying on to get their season off on the right foot.

If last year was any precursor to the style of play the Dodgers will put forth, their offensive talent and dominant bullpen will be enough to compensate for the below-average starting rotation. Los Angeles was able to coast through the regular season last year thanks to high offensive production and the best bullpen in the National League. However, once they reached the playoffs their lack of a dominant ace was exploited, and the Dodgers were left watching the World Series from their sofas once again.

In order for the Dodgers to finally take the next step and reach the World Series they will need to improve upon their current rotation. While youngsters such as Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley are showing plenty of potential, they are not ready to take the next step just yet. For success in this year’s postseason the Dodgers will need to pick up a starting pitcher that can dominate the opposition.

It is no secret that midseason pitching acquisitions can have huge impacts on a mediocre team. The Phillies were struggling last season until they traded for Cliff Lee, who proceeded to carry them to their second straight National League pennant. In 2008 the Milwaukee Brewers traded for CC Sabathia, who had a very similar impact on a below average team. While it is far too soon to be discussing possible trade deadline deals, the Dodgers need to keep their options open.

Many people, mainly those in the Dodgers front office, claim that the Dodgers didn’t need to pursue star pitchers like Roy Halladay this offseason because they expect Kershaw to become the clear-cut ace of the staff. While Kershaw clearly has nasty stuff, the point remains that he is only 22 years old and lacks the necessary experience to anchor an entire rotation. The other young star, 25 year-old Chad Billingsley, has been inconsistent at best, and is even less prepared than Kershaw to take the next step.

The level of young talent on the Los Angeles roster is staggering, but it will all be wasted unless the Los Angeles executives can bring in another piece. They seem willing to wait around for a couple years while players like Billingsley and Kershaw develop. The problem with this philosophy is that every year they wait is another year they waste the offensive talents of young stars Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, and James Loney. It is also one more year of mileage added to the aging bodies of Rafael Furcal, Manny Ramirez, and Casey Blake. The Dodgers best hopes of bringing in their first World Series title in twenty years is right now, but until they bring in a number one starter they are going to keep playing second fiddle to teams like Philadelphia, who boast a superior starting rotation.