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Los Angeles Dodgers
Overall: 64
Title track: 52
Ownership: 52
Coaching: 67
Players: 70
Fan relations: 94
Affordability: 72
Stadium experience: 61
Bang for the buck: 48
Change from last year: -5
A talented team with lofty goals and a rich history playing in one of baseball's better amphitheaters makes the Los Angeles Dodgers attractive to the sports fan, but that did not prevent the club from slipping ever so slightly in the Ultimate Standings. The best pitcher in the game -- Clayton Kershaw -- and one of the game's biggest rising stars -- Corey Seager -- give the Dodgers star power, but their inability to reach the ultimate goal, even while making the playoffs each of the past three seasons, has the Dodgers a bit stagnant when it comes to the overall fan experience.
What's good
Players such as Seager, Julio Urias, Trayce Thompson, Jose De Leon and Ross Stripling have already become household names in Los Angeles, and their familiarity figures to increase nationally. Cost-effective young players will help a deep-pocketed ownership group target more specific areas of need with future rosters. Translation? These Dodgers don't look ready to give up their run of NL West titles any time soon. Although the cost of a night at the park might be a bit high, the product on the field might actually justify it for years to come. Sure enough, the Dodgers' best rank comes in bang for the buck (48th).
What's bad
The product on the field was a success in 2016, which was fitting in the final summer of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully. Fans were riveted -- at least, those fans who were able to access the broadcasts. Limited reach of the team's broadcasts heavily impacted the team's fan relations ranking (No. 94), which dropped two places from last season. Scully was afforded the respect he deserved as he heads into retirement, but the team had to put a last-minute deal together to get some of the final games to a larger audience. The ballpark, though picturesque, is not the easiest on the wallet, and Dodger Stadium earns an affordability ranking of 72. The Dodgers' $6 price tag for a soda remains the highest in baseball (though at 24 ounces, it's also the largest).
What's new
A change from the stoic and businesslike Don Mattingly to the open and engaging Dave Roberts at manager has not hurt the club in the slightest. Mattingly led his team to three straight NL West titles and three straight playoff appearances in his final three years, but Roberts not only matched those accomplishments but also got the team to the NLCS, which Mattingly couldn't the past two years. Roberts did so despite an onslaught of injuries that would have crushed other clubs. The Dodgers moved up a whopping 24 spots, with a coaching ranking of 67.
Next: Toronto Blue Jays | Full rankings