I'm surprised the Dodgers haven't been more competitive in recent years. They consistently have a top five payroll. If they weren't in laid back Los Angeles, I guess their Dodgers' futility would be more of an yearly story.

I'm one who thinks the Dodgers need to be a perennial playoff team for MLB to be healthy. They aren't the Yankees, but there's something special about a Yankees-Dodgers World Series. I remember seeing several of them as a child. Such classic matchups.

Maddox should help, I imagine. Lugo replaces Izturas at shortstop. Lugo doesn't have the fielding ability of Izturas, who's a Gold Glove winner. Lugo does add pop to the lineup, because he's a better hitter than the man he's replacing.

Go Blue!