Ever since Dodger owner Frank McCourt hired debatable general manager Paul Depotesta, the solid core of Dodger faces we are familiar with have disappeared. Depotesta, in his first off-season as Dodger General Manager has made some questionable and controversial moves. It all started last year, when the Dodgers traded fan-favorite Paul LoDuca, dominating set-up man Guillermo Mota, and starting rightfielder Juan Encarnacion. In return they received a couple of minor leaguers and injury-plagued pitcher Brad Penny. Recently they signed Penny to a $5.1 million deal for one year, but with his injury history, it’s a very high-risk move because his contract is in order regardless of injury.

After having a spectacular season this past year winning the National League West, the key players are now gone. Third baseman Adrian Beltre came second in MVP voting after hitting 48 home runs, yet the Dodgers couldn’t match the Seattle Mariners offer and they let him get away. Steve Finley, another key player in the Dodger’s run, signed with the other Southern California team, the Anaheim Angels. Depotesta apparently feels secure using inexperienced Hee Seop Choi at first base because he traded away another fan-favorite, Shawn Green. This move was made to get rid of Shawn Green’s $16 million contract, but he had told the Dodgers earlier this year that he would re-sign him at a lower price.

By failing to sign or keep these players, the Dodgers lost a lot of their offensive firepower, but they even got worse on defense by cutting slick fielding second baseman Alex Cora. They replaced him with an older player, Astros second basemen Jeff Kent. Kent is a better hitter but is nowhere close to Cora in fielding. Replacing Beltre at third base is veteran Jose Valentine, a lackluster fielder who has decent power. Valentine is nine years older than Beltre, who is just 25 and entering his prime.

The Dodgers made some decent additions with been weighed down by injury in his career and Lowe is coming off a bad seas on. These players have the potential to fill the shoes of the players they are replacing, but it’s going to take a mammoth effort from each and every one of them to do so.