2008 MLB Preview: NL West

Takashi Sato is actually a concern for me in the bullpen. Yes he’s posted two consecutive years of microscopic ERAs (2.07 in ’06, 1.40 in ’07), had a 100-strikeout season, and he’s 63/69 in career save opportunities, but he’s 38. Granted he’s had two exceptional major league seasons, but as we’ve seen from so many other effective closers in recent years (Troy Percival, Jose Mesa, Bob Wickman) age can become a factor fairly quickly in the ‘pen—whether it’s injuries or ineffectiveness.

However, the fact that the Dodgers have Jonathon Broxton waiting in the wings, and despite a late season collapse, the 23-year old came within a strikeout of the century mark, while keeping his ERA below 3.00 (2.85).

The Dodgers may have to rely heavily on their younger arms however, as in addition to Saito, Rudy Seanez (6-3, 3.79 ERA in 76 innings) will be joining the “Over-38 Club”. Scott Procter will be once again looked to as the primary innings-eater out of the bullpen (two straight years of more than 85 innings), while Joe Beimel will look to keep his strong play in Dodger blue the past two years going (6-3, 137.1 innings, 69 strikeouts, 56 earned runs).

As far as filling out the rest of the bullpen goes, the performance of a few major league veterans over spring training (Tom Martin, Mike Myers, Yhency Brazoban) and some less experienced arms (Eric Hull, James McDonald), including the surprising uprising of Clayton Kershaw this spring, will determine the final outlook of the Dodgers’ bullpen.

(2008 Prediction: 81-81, third in NL West)

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