Los Angeles Dodgers: 5 Players Who Will Be Crucial in 2012

The Dodgers are finally starting on the long road to recovery.

Ownership groups led by L.A icons in Magic Johnson and Joe Torre are among the finalists to take control of the franchise. The team is lead by some great young players, but surrounding them with complementary talent is still a need.

Despite the emergence of the Diamondbacks, and the pitching of the Giants, Los Angeles could be surprise contenders late in the season if things break right for them

Here are five guys who need to bounce back, elevate their games, and step into the spotlight if the Dodgers are going to have a chance next season. 

James Loney

2011 Stats: .288/.339/.416, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 158 games played

Except for Kemp and Ethier, no one in the Dodger lineup has the ability as a hitter to scare opposing teams.

L.A doesn't need Loney to complete the trio with the other two sluggers, but just getting some respectable numbers out of their corner infielder would be a good start. The glove work on defense has always been there, but the power that was expected to develop on Loney's frame has never appeared.

His 65 runs batted in last season were his lowest total in the last five years and a good example of the power deficiency.

If Loney can start playing up to his potential, he would make the offense much better. The lineup would change from Kemp and Ethier surrounded by a bunch of role players, to a trio of hitters who could carry the team and put runs on the board.

Dee Gordon

2011 Stats: .304/.325/.362, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 56 games played

Gordon is quite possibly the glue that could bring the lineup together. The 23-year-old shortstop has little power but has shown an ability to hit for average and get on base in limited playing time last season. 

He can set the table for Kemp, Ethier, and Loney and is a lightning fast and intelligent base stealer, as shown by his 24 SB in 2011.

The only credible, starting caliber leadoff man the Dodgers have, Gordon will need to step up and establish himself next season. If he does, that will bring a whole other dimension to the L.A lineup.

Nate Eovaldi

2011 Stats: 34.2 IP, 23 K, 20 BB, 1-2, 1.38 WHIP, 3.63 ERA, 6 games started

The rotation after Kershaw could use some work. Ted Lilly isn't a top three starter anymore. He has gotten the job done during his time with the Dodgers, but he is 36 years old and the wheels could start to come off soon.

Billingsley has been inconsistent and not lived to his potential. Harang may still be able to eat up some innings, but Capuano, like Lilly, gives up a lot of home runs

The starting pitching is solid enough to hold the line in games, but that's the best case scenario. Lilly, Harang, and Capuano aren't going to get better with age.

Eovaldi still looks a little raw, but has good stuff, and a chance to make it as the No. 5 starter. With a good start to the season, he could prove to be a vital contributor in an otherwise unimpressive rotation.

In addition, Rubby De La Rosa will be in the mix, but likely not until the second half of the season.

Javy Guerra

2011 Stats: 46.2 IP, 38 K, 18 BB, 21 saves, 1.18 WHIP, 2.31 ERA

The Dodger bullpen has gotten better, after the anxiety problem of Hong Chih Kuo, and the arm fatigue/overuse of both Kuo and Jonathan Broxton led to the losses of the once vital pitchers.

Macdougal, Jansen, Coffey, and Lindblom are all solid arms, setting up the emerging closer Javy Guerra. He has a mid-90's fastball and a good slider, and converted 21 of 23 save opportunities last season. 

After National League highs in walk rate and ERA, the bullpen will probably improve on those things in 2012, but in case fans see more of the same, it will be even more important for Guerra to be able to hold the line in the ninth inning and handle the added pressure.

Andre Ethier

2011 Stats: .292/.368/.421, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 135 games played

Ethier is perhaps the most crucial component to the Dodgers' 2012 hopes.

After suffering through a season that included a knee injury, poor second-half performance, what amounts to career lows in home runs and RBI, and a .220 average against left-handed pitching, an impressive bounce back year is definitely what is needed from Ethier.

He plays an integral part bringing power to the offense opposite Matt Kemp and being the defensive mainstay in right field. A year like 2009 or 2010 from Ethier would go a long way to helping the team compete as well as getting him a long-term contract.