AP file photo: Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner will sign a five year deal with LA is seen here swinging for the fences in a Sept 5th game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodgers Stadium

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

LOS ANGELES–It has been just over a week since the San Francisco Giants signed closer Mark Melancon for $62 million for the next four seasons. Today, their rivals, Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the Western Division for the fourth consecutive year, signed their closer Kenley Jansen for the next five years for $80 million. The Dodgers are close to bringing back their third baseman Justin Turner, who should sign for  five years and $64 million.

The Dodgers (which the largest payroll in baseball, around $240 million), already signed lefty starter Rich Hill for three years and $48 million. Hill who started this past season with the Oakland Athletics and was traded to the Dodgers, had six starts for the Dodgers during the home stretch; with a 1.68 ERA in those six starts. Although he has been troubled by blisters, his revival continues and owns one of the best and most effective curve balls in the game.

Unless there is some movement with the possibility of trading controversial outfielder Yasiel Puig, the Dodgers would have the same team as in 2016 when they finishes with a 91-71 record, four games on top of the second place San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers however, expect to have their ace Clayton Kershaw healthy from Spring Training. Kershaw was injured and started only 21 games, finished with a record of 12-4 and 1.69 ERA.

There might also be some movement from the Giants side in the near future, free agents like Angel Pagan, Sergio Romo and others, could be traded. But what we are looking now between the Dodgers and the Giants are basically the rosters they will have to compete next season. Dodgers could trade veteran second baseman Chase Utley, although the Angels acquiring second baseman Danny Espinosa from the Washington Nationals for two prospects, reduces the chances of Utley leaving the Dodgers.

So the Giants addressed their main concern, when they got Mark Melancon, who should own the closer role, while manager Bruce Bochy and his coaching staff have to figure is the bridge from their bullpen to get to Melancon, and that could easily be determined during Spring Training.

In conclusion. 2017 looks like another year where the Giants and the Dodgers will battle it out for the division, again.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio talent for the A’s, the Spanish TV talent for the Angels, and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com