Dodgers have candidates aplenty for awards

Kershaw, Gonzalez, Seager, Roberts could nab hardware

March 29th, 2017

PHOENIX -- When your broadcaster of 67 years is standing next to Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross with the Presidential Medal of Freedom hanging around his neck, that's not happening again.
Nonetheless, in 2017 there's so much baseball talent on the field that various Dodgers should contend for the more traditional postseason awards.
Start with the current Dodger who has already won the most prestigious awards: Opening Day starting pitcher .
Kershaw is a perennial favorite for the Cy Young Award because he's already got three of them. With last year's herniated disc issue apparently and literally behind him, Kershaw also figures to be a finalist for the Esurance Pitcher of the Year. He also won a Silver Slugger five years ago.
In addition to his White House honor, now-retired Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully won the Esurance MLB Award for Best Call last year. While he won't be winning that award this year, budding superstar broadcaster Joe Davis steps into the lead role in the booth and he'll have plenty of big-name talent to talk about.
Start with , who won't sweep the National League Rookie of the Year Awards again, but it won't be a shock if he improves on a third-place finish for Most Valuable Player. He also could win the second of who-knows-how-many Silver Slugger Awards as the best hitter at his shortstop position.
In addition to Seager, the Dodgers had three other players hit at least 25 home runs last year, so third baseman , catcher and center fielder could make runs at Silver Slugger Awards, too.
won the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award, and the Dodgers committed $80 million to their big closer in hopes that he makes the title an annual event.
The man in charge of the dugout is Dave Roberts, and anyone who wins his league's Manager of the Year Award as a rookie should be considered a future candidate as well.
Rookie of the Year consideration could go to , who made an impact during his late-season call-up. lost his rookie status last year.
With all of last year's injuries, dozens of Dodgers could qualify for Comeback Player of the Year. The ones with the most obvious opportunities are and .
First baseman has a mantle full of awards, having won four Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers. Outfielder has a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, but a bad back has him currently sidelined. won four Silver Sluggers and won a Gold Glove, but they are now bench players.