When you have more money to spend than you know what to do with, it's easy for you to throw as much money as possible in every direction in order to ensure that your weaknesses are minimal. Such is the case with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A star-studded roster with arguably the best starting lineup and potentially the best starting rotation in the game, it's difficult to point out a glaring weakness that is going to keep this team from grabbing a National League West title this season.
However, if you're going to point out one specific area and note that it could end up being the downfall of the Dodgers, it would almost certainly have to be the lack of depth that they boast on their roster. That lack of depth is also directly tied to the fact that this team isn't exactly a club that carries a consistent bill of health throughout the active roster. The two will likely combine to determine the Dodgers' fate for the 2014 season.
The concerns over depth don't necessarily relate to the pitching staff. There are some injury concerns there, sure, including Zack Greinke, who already had to leave a spring start early. But this is a starting rotation that could go seven guys deep if they actually wanted to. Paul Maholm, Josh Beckett, and Chad Billingsley aren't even guaranteed a spot in the rotation at this point as they duke it out for the fifth spot. The other two will likely come out in long relief. That's a positive sign for them. There's no shortage of relief talent as well, with the club retaining Brian Wilson and bringing in Chris Perez to add to their bullpen depth.
Where this team could end up in some trouble is in regard to their actual lineup. The situation in the outfield is well-documented. Yes, the Dodgers have four starting caliber outfielders in Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, and Carl Crawford. There's a reason they haven't traded one, though. Kemp is an all-world player when healthy, but he hasn't been healthy in the last couple of years. Crawford and Ethier also each represent injury risks as well. So there are no guarantees out in the outfield.
It gets even thinner up in the infield. The Dodgers have Dee Gordon that could possibly float around the infield if Alex Guerrero nails down the second base gig, but they lack depth overall outside of their starters, which are obviously a very good group. Hanley Ramirez has had his issues with nagging injuries in his time with Los Angeles, though, something to keep in mind.
When it comes down to it, there are very few weaknesses for the Dodgers on paper. Their starting lineup is top notch and they have a pitching staff that is as good as any in the league. But if there are injury issues that this team faces throughout the season, particularly in regard to their lineup, it'll be interesting to see how they handle it, considering that they aren't exactly the deepest team in the Major Leagues, even if they are the most loaded.
