Los Angeles Dodgers: Fantasy Baseball Team Preview 2008

Complete fantasy preview guide for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008. Get key information on projected starters, fantasy gems and duds, as well as potential sleepers and breakout players.

Projected Starters
C - Russell Martin
1b - James Loney
2b - Jeff Kent
3b - Nomar Garciaparra
SS - Rafael Furcal
LF - Andre Ethier
CF - Andruw Jones
RF - Matt Kemp

SP - Brad Penny
SP - Jason Schmidt
SP - Derek Lowe
SP - Chad Billingsley
SP - Hiroki Kuroda
CL - Takashi Saito
RP - Jonathan Broxton
RP - Joe Beimel
RP - Yhency Brazoban

Top Reserves and Backups
Juan Pierre - of
Andy LaRoche - 3b
Delwyn Young - 2b/of
Esteban Loaiza - sp

Fantasy GEMS
The safest bet to put up a solid fantasy year at a weak position is catcher Russell Martin. Martin dazzled in his full-time starting spot in 2007 and expecting the same out of Martin in 2008 is very realistic. He should be the second catcher drafted after Cleveland Victor Martinez.

Another player that progressed tremendously in 2007 was starting pitcher Brad Penny. After pitching the most innings in his career in 2007, Penny showed everyone how productive he can be if he stays healthy. Another solid performance from Penny in 2008 is very probable.

Fantasy DUDS
After signing Andruw Jones to take over centerfield in 2008, former centerfielder Juan Pierre will find himself riding the bench in '08. This means his 64 steals in 2007 will be lost for all fantasy owners. The only way Pierre can rebound and again be a top steals leader is if Jones gets hurt or Pierre gets traded. The latter seems more likely. For fantasy purposes lets hope Pierre gets traded so his speed can be put to good use.

The days of Nomar Garciaparra being a top fantasy player are all but over. In fact he really shouldn't even be considered a good backup anymore with all the younger faces putting up better stats and having more upside than him. Nomar is no more fantasy worthy.