Dodgers: Pre-Spring Training NL West Positional Power Rankings

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Cody Bellinger
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Cody Bellinger /
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Bullpen

  1. Dodgers

The Dodgers sweep every category. The best closer in baseball anchors this bullpen. Kenley Jansen has been absolutely amazing. The Bullpen is strong with Pedro Baez, Tony Cingrani and Yimi Garcia among others. The Dodgers also added two lesser-known names with Tom Koehler and Scott Alexander. Both of whom were very productive out of the bullpen and will only strengthen this already deep bullpen.

  1. Rockies

The signing of Wade Davis was HUGE for this bullpen. Essentially bringing back the same pieces as last year with McGee, Rusin, and Ottavino. They upgraded the closer with Davis instead of Holland and added a very good reliever in Bryan Shaw to their bullpen. This bullpen is more than capable of helping the Rockies compete in October. Wade Davis adds a sense of relief knowing the game is over when you hand him the ball.

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  1. D-Backs

Archie Bradley will make or break this bullpen. After struggling as a starter for many years, Bradley made the move to the bullpen and was brilliant. He was not the closer but he was their best reliever. This year he will be the closer. If last year was just a flash in the pan, Arizona is in trouble. The rest of their bullpen is filled with nice pieces but nobody who would pick up the slack if Bradley falters.

  1. Padres

AT LAST the Padres aren’t in last place! Brad Hand is the basically the sole reason why. He was as dominant a closer as anyone in the bigs. The only problem was he did not get as many opportunities to get saves because, well, the Padres are not good. Not be overlooked is Craig Stammen who posted a 3.14 ERA out of the bullpen last year. He could be a nice setup man for Hand if the Padres ever get a lead.

  1. Giants

This will be a problem for the Giants. They gave a big contract to Mark Melancon and he flopped. Now it looks like Sam Dyson who had a 6.09 ERA last season is going to be their closer. That is not a number you want to see from any pitcher let alone the guy you entrust to win the game for you in the 9th inning.

Next: How would the Dodgers benefit from a luxury tax reset?

There you have it the positional power rankings before spring training. The Dodgers dominated this. They are the best and deepest team in this division and maybe even the entire MLB. With no major moves by the Front office this offseason, the Dodgers enter 2018 as dominant as they exited 2017.