How do you think the Dodgers..?

I'm a Yankee fan, and saw Torre in action for 11 years. He's not overrated, you have to look at what he does well to predict the future. While he doesn't manage the bull pen well, and his pinch hitting decisions are questionable, he is VERY respected by players young and old. The biggest probl;ems with the Dodgers last year was clubhouse instability. Joe will fix that, and that's worth 5 wins by itself. Plus the Dodgers have a plethora of young talent, they'll edge the Pads to win the West

Torre isn't going to make them overnight winners. The pitching is a little on the thin side, and the offense isn't really what you'd call overwhelming. They won't bludgeon teams to death like the Yankees did to cover poor pitching performances. They won't go out and reload at will during the season to the degree Ny did so he's going to have to make do with what is there. The division is however wide open and anything can happen but this is going to be when we see if Torre really is a "Genius" manager or Cluelss Joe that had one playoff appearance in 15 seasons before coming to NY. The dodgers should do okay but they didn't bring him in for the long haul (they stated he's a one deal mgr. (and were hoping he'd groom mattingly) or to win it now, it was about selling tickets and adding an air of legitimacy to the team. He's a nice guy and all but if he couldn't do it with the teams he had in Ny the last 7 years I can't see him doing it with what LA is sending on the field. The player play the games and these players only make me think they're the same type team as last year.

Edit- hey 1954 the dodgers ranked 4th in pitching in their OWN division last year! Is that really great? The Giants outranked them! the rotation is Penny, lowe and who? Is penny the ace? C'mon get a grip. Saito is solid as a closer, but what else is in there? Is proctor going to be the savior? their offense was 21st in the bigs which is pretty anemic at best. is the offense going to carry that staff? As for Torre...

"Torre could make a difference anywhere and could make a poor team better and bring a good team a title. His leadership is legendary and his results are unchallenged."

What happened with the Mets Cardinals and braves? he never even won a postseason series in 15 years? Is it that every team befor the yankees was that bad? No the braves were very strong and he couldn't get it done. Torre is not A god or genius. He is a guy that lucked into a premade dynasty showalter and Michaels built. Now think of this- he never won a world series without Don Zimmer. makes you wonder who was REALLY calling the shots. How big a bowl of stupid did you eat and how many servings becuse it had to be more than one. Have a man crush on him all you want, the dodgers arent going anywhere just based on his presence.

I think they will be a contender the whole year, they have good pitching (a little bit of health is needed) but not GREAT pitching but then neither do the Rockies or D-Backs (Webb is the only PROVEN star in the D-Backs rotation), Torre is already throwing the bats around the clubhouse and signifying that the old way did not work so things will be done his way. The offense needs to develop around Torre's idea's; I see them going for a little more small ball than they did under Grady Little. The end of the year they are right in the race and Torre is talked about for Manager of the Year.

A lot of people have concerns with Torre for being a "veterans guy" and worry he might favor guys like Nomar and Kent to the detriment of the young guys.

The fact is that Torre was loyal to the guys who got him to the Big Dance time and time again....Jeter, Posada, Williams...guys he inherited when they were still young. Now he has Martin, Loney, Kemp, LaRoche, Ethier, Abreu and many more bright youngsters to build around.

"Build" is the key word. Based on the spending of the D-Backs and the development of the Rockies, I think this season could still be a struggle in the West. Give Torre five years, healthy pitchers and some good personnel decisions, and I think good things lie ahead.

To all those who say that Joe Torre is overrated and won't make a difference.....wrong! Also, to the IQ-challenged users who say that the Dodgers don't have the pitching...hello? They are one of the best pitching teams in the majors! Did you eat a bowl of stupid for breakfast? Grow a brain, please.

Torre could make a difference anywhere and could make a poor team better and bring a good team a title. His leadership is legendary and his results are unchallenged.

The Dodgers will win a World Series with Torre at the helm.

It's tough to say really. Dodgers still don't have a solid pitching rotation in my opinion, and the Rockies and D'Backs are bringing back most everyone from last year. I'm a rare, and I do mean, RARE, Angels fan that hopes the Dodgers do well though, because I'd love to see the Freeway Series become the World Series. Coincidentally though, I do think the Angels are better.

I am a huge Dodger fan, and I think they will be a much better team with Torre as manager. We have great young talent and the best catcher in MLB--Russell Martin!!!

I think Joe Torre is bound to bring something good to the Dodgers. In a few years, they certainly have the potential to be playoff contenders.

The NL west could very likely turn out to be the most competitive division again this year in MLB. With the exception of the Giants any of the other four teams could win the division, and it could come down to which of the four teams is able to avoid injuries. The good news is that the Dodgers will be one of those teams in the mix all year long.

I agree we have the best catcher in baseball--so what do the Dodgers do with great catchers? We'll probably send him to Florida.

Will Jason Schmidt get healthy before the year is over?