Suppose I was given the power to ignore all of the contracts, all of the options (who still can be optioned and who's already run out of them), and was able to piece together the perfect 25-man roster for the Dodgers based on their current Major and Minor Leaguers.
Here's my best shot at it...
C - Yasmani Grandal
1B - Adrian Gonzalez
2B - Howie Kendrick
SS - Corey Seager
3B - Hector Olivera
LF - Alex Guerrero
CF - Joc Pederson
RF - Yasiel Puig
Bench - Austin Barnes (C), Scott Van Slyke (OF), Andre Ethier (OF), Justin Turner (3B), Jimmy Rollins (SS)
SP - Clayton Kershaw
SP - Zack Greinke
SP - Brett Anderson
SP - Mike Bolsinger
SP - Scott Baker
RP - Kenley Jansen (Closer)
RP - Carlos Frias (Long Relief)
RP - Joel Peralta
RP - Pedro Baez
RP - J.P. Howell
RP - Juan Nicasio
RP - Paco Rodriguez
Keep an eye on - Brandon Beachy (SP), Brandon League (RP), Zach Lee (SP), Darnell Sweeney (2B)
Rationale for Offense. I've mostly had it with watching the following list of people stink it up every game: Chris Heisey, Kike Hernandez, A.J. Ellis, and Alberto Callaspo. OK, so Callaspo is actually hitting .282 with a .378 OBP, but the guy is a singles hitter and nothing more, so he's pretty easy to defend. Heisey is hitting .154, Ellis .175, and Kike .257. Enough of them, it's time to move on.
Yes, Rollins has been absolutely embarrassing at the plate this year hitting .200. I would only keep him as a late-inning defensive replacement, as he still plays a very slick short. That is the ONLY reason I'd keep him around. He might have a great clubhouse presence (or so we all keep being told about...), but it's his glove that keep him around, nothing more.
At some point, the Dodgers have to stop hoping their offense turns around with the same group of guys, and instead do something about it. Bringing up Olivera and Seager is a start, and putting Guerrero in left and Barnes as the backup catcher is smart as well. Those guys have the numbers and need a chance.
Rationale for Pitching. Injuries have played a big part in the constant switching of names this year. Right now, Peralta, Baez, and Paco are working their way back to the active roster. Beachy and League are as well, but they seem a little bit further away.
I would give Scott Baker a shot at being the fifth starter. In 10 starts at Triple-A, he's 5-3 with a 3.88 ERA and an excellent 1.01 WHIP. He's only allowed two longballs in 60 1/3 innings. Yes, this is the same guy who's made 172 starts in his MLB career, mostly with the Twins. He's worth a shot. Frias has done a pretty good job filling in, but I'd feature him more as a long reliever since teams are hitting .305 against him.
Names I definitely DO NOT want to see around anymore are Chris Hatcher and Yimi Garcia. They cannot getting hitters out consistently to say the least. Josh Ravin needs more seasoning down on the farm. Daniel Coulombe looks like he has some pretty horrendous stats no matter where he pitches - Majors, Minors, or even Little League if he had to do that.
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