Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Move From Eighth To Fourth In ESPN Future Power Rankings

It’s no secret that the Dodgers have sent shockwaves through the baseball world, not only for their incredibly hot play, but for their ability to spend money at a record pace.

What lacked in the McCourt era was the ability to spend and to develop talent in the minor leagues, while having the ability to sign talent internationally. Signing international stars Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu, while also pulling off blockbuster deals have put the Dodgers in a good place not only for now, but for the future.



While they were ranked eighth in ESPN’s spring training future rankings, the Dodgers have moved up according to Buster Olney, Jim Bowden and Keith Law of ESPN.com:

With the way most clubs are now locking up their young talent years before free agency, it’s becoming a lot harder for big-market clubs to spend their way into contention. The Dodgers, however, are trying their best to prove that enough spending makes anything possible. They shocked the baseball world in 2012 by spending big on Cuban defector Yasiel Puig and taking on a number of “bad” contracts via trade, such as those of Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez. So far, so good. — Buster Olney

The Dodgers have moved up to fourth, just behind the Rangers, Cardinals and Red Sox as they received a point total of 73.7 out of 100. Based on their major and minor league rosters, finances, management and mobility, the Dodgers moved up 11.4 points in the rankings.

Out of 30 teams, the Dodgers ranked 29 and 16 for their major and minor league talent, 30th for finances, while only 13th for management and 22nd for mobility.

The trio of ESPN analysts acknowledged the logjam in the outfield and that going into the 2014 season, the Dodgers will have to decide which one to trade away.

With prospects Joc Pederson and Julio Urias flying their way through the Dodgers farm system and their continued interest in Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero, the future is very bright for the Dodgers.

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In case you missed it, be sure to find out more about the Michael Young trade!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I-czUHQLaY

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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