Los Angeles Dodgers: 5 Changes LA Dodgers Must Make to Keep NL West Lead

The L.A. Dodgers currently are the best team in the NL West, but to maintain their lead and compete for a title they need to make some changes. Some of the changes need to be made in their pitching staff. Some changes need to be full-on trades. 

The Dodgers have the potential to be the best team in baseball, and it is only a matter of time before they implode if they don't make some minor changes. While the changes wouldn't completely revamp the organization, they would create enough change to push the Dodgers over the hump.

5. Teach SP Chad Billingsley to Turn Curveball into "Show-Me" Pitch

Chad Billingsley is the Dodgers' No. 2 pitcher, but his biggest weakness is his curveball. According to Fangraphs.com (h/t Ian Kenyon for the link), he throws his curve 16.2 percent of the time. For his second-most commonly thrown pitch, he is below average at throwing it.

He used to have an above-average curveball that registered a 7.9 and 7.0 in weighted pitch values but has since declined to a 0.3 last season to a below-average minus-4.9 this season. He needs to start utilizing his slider over his curve and re-establishing his fastball.

4. Upgrade RHP Jamey Wright and RHP Todd Coffey in the Bullpen

The Dodgers have a top-notch starting staff and a solid bullpen. However, they have two glaring holes in their middle relief: Jamey Wright and Todd Coffey.

Though they aren't used every day, with just 44 appearances combined between the two, they are worked quite a bit. Neither Wright's 4.40 ERA nor Coffey's 4.70 ERA are worth being used as much as they are.

The Dodgers need to go out and get a better middle reliever who will hold the opposing team to less than one run per every two innings. While they could go out and break the bank for someone who is closer-caliber, it makes more sense to get a mid-level player who can earn around a 3.00 ERA or so and eat innings.

3. Replace 1B James Loney with a Top Power Hitting Player

James Loney has been mediocre this season compared to his career averages. He has been down all across the board with just a .246 average, .315 on-base percentage and .336 slugging percentage. While these are solid for a bench player, they are not what is needed from a starting player expected to provide power from first base.

Loney has also been down from his 12 home run average with just two at this point, and he is only projected to be at four homers all year. According to John Morosi of Fox Sports,

"

 

Anthony Rizzo will be called up tomorrow, @Cubs confirm. They will say Bryan LaHair is an outfielder. But he could move for right offer.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 25, 2012

 

"

LaHair could be just what the Dodgers need at first base. He's a positive fielder with just three errors all year and could bring some pop in the lineup to protect Matthew Kemp with his .285 AVG/.366 OBP/.540 SLG and his 13 homers. 

2. Replace SS Dee Gordon Before the Trade Deadline

Dee Gordon is hitting just .028 above the Mendoza Line, but his .274 on-base percentage and his .280 slugging percentage are God-awful. He has one of the worst on-base plus slugging percentages in the majors.

He doesn't deserve to be starting in the highest level based on hitting alone, but his fielding isn't much better than league average. He's had 13 errors all year and has been average for the season in the field. The Dodgers would do better by just benching Dee Gordon and having someone, anyone replace him as soon as possible. 

1. Keep CF Matt Kemp Healthy

Matt Kemp is arguably the best player in the major leagues. However, he doesn't do the Dodgers any good on the bench. He is hitting .355 with a .444 on-base percentage and a .719 slugging percentage this year and has been excellent when healthy. The issue is that he has played just 36 games in the first half of the season.

The dominant Kemp could truly break out and bring the spark that the Dodgers need in the second half to keep the team going in the right direction. His 12 home runs had him on an extraordinary pace, and getting hurt not only hurt him, but also the Dodgers.

Getting him back and keeping him in the lineup should be priority No. 1.