MLB Los Angeles Dodgers

5 Things the Los Angeles Dodgers Should Be Thankful For

5 Things the Los Angeles Dodgers Should Be Thankful For

Clayton Kershaw 2014 NL Cy Young Winner
Getty Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won back-to-back NL West titles for the second time in the division's five-team format, but fell short of their ultimate goal in 2014 despite boasting the biggest payroll in MLB history. The Dodgers proved themselves as capable of handling the San Francisco Giants down the stretch but witnessed their arch-rival win yet another championship in October. Still, the Dodgers have a lot to be thankful for moving forward.

5. Guggenheim Baseball Management

Magic Johnson
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

5. Guggenheim Baseball Management

Magic Johnson
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Guggenheim Partners, LLC is a global investment firm which generates over $ 220 billion of revenue on an annual basis. Its status as the predominant owners of the Dodgers make the Boys in Blue a serious force to be reckoned with. The Guggenheim group essentially rescued the Dodgers from the irresponsible grasp of former owner Frank McCourt in March 2012. The franchise hasn't looked back.

4. Intelligent Front Office

Andrew Friedman Los Angeles Dodgers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

4. Intelligent Front Office

Andrew Friedman Los Angeles Dodgers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers recently revamped their front office in attempt to permanently overtake the Giants, who have now proven that claiming the division crown isn't necessary in order to win a title. Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, and rookie general manager Farhan Zaidi form a brainy tandem within the club's front office. The pair is more than capable of pulling the strings on effective player personnel decisions in the near future.

3. A True Rival

Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants
Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images

3. A True Rival

Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants
Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images

It might not seem like a good thing, but the fact that Los Angeles is combating a franchise currently being labeled as a "dynasty" is indeed advantageous. The Dodgers have an opportunity to not only solidify themselves as baseball's best team in 2015, but they can also demolish San Francisco's budding status in the process. The rivalry between the Giants and Dodgers has never been so good. It's also never been so profitable.

2. A Bounty of Talent

Yasiel Puig Los Angeles Dodgers
Getty Images

2. A Bounty of Talent

Yasiel Puig Los Angeles Dodgers
Getty Images

The Dodgers aren't short of talent. In fact, they may have too much of it — if that's even possible. The Dodgers' outfield carousel figures to get resolved this offseason, with either Carl Crawford or Andre Ethier moving to a different zip code. The bounty of talent that Los Angeles flaunts is a good thing, but better defined roles in the future could catapult them to new levels of success. Either way, they're legitimate contenders.

1. Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Three-time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw has yet to dominate in the postseason, but he remains the best pitcher in all of baseball. Kershaw has been virtually unhittable over the past two seasons, most recently posting an astounding 21-3 record with a 1.77 ERA. He threw a no-hitter with a whopping six complete games in his MVP season in 2014 and led the National League in a ridiculous total of nine statistical categories among pitchers.

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