With the announcement that James McDonald will start the year in the bullpen, and with it being well known the Dodgers are seeking another pitcher for the starting rotation, the list of candidates to fill that spot is growing smaller.

Another name can be crossed off the list as well, with the Arizona Diamondbacks signing Jon Garland to fill out their rotation.

I recently had the chance to speak with Dylan Hernandez, who is the Dodgers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times. We covered a variety of topics, but two things were very clear from the conversation: The Dodgers offense could really use Manny Ramirez and the pitching staff has some question marks.

Take a look at what he had to say.

I would be lying to say if I wasn't like most obsessive Dodger fan. I also wake up in the morning, check all the websites, turn on the radio and turn on ESPN in hopes of seeing that the Dodgers have signed Manny Ramirez, or another outfielder.

I am also waiting, on a daily basis, to see if the team has signed a starting pitcher because I'm not ready to put my faith in Eric Stults, Jason Schmidt and James McDonald. Still, even though I want them to sign certain players and I am anxious for it to happen, I am being patient.

Between Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, and Greg Maddux the Dodgers lost 22 wins and 346 innings pitched, not to mention the bullpen losses of Chan Ho Park, Joe Beimel and Takashi Saito.

It's safe to say the Dodgers are in the market for pitching, and a starting pitcher should be a top priority (after Manny Ramirez, of course).

With the status of Jason Schmidt very uncertain, he cannot be relied on to make 30 starts. And, as good as James McDonald might be someday, he is certainly not going to be the answer in 2009. It would be a big risk to go into the season with the two of them anchoring the back end of a rotation with some uncertainty at the top. Chad Billingsley broke his leg in the off-season and Clayton Kershaw will only be 21 when the season starts.

Currently, the Dodgers are targeting a handful of starters, including Randy Wolf, Jon Garland and Braden Looper.

In my opinion, they are forgetting someone. A very obvious someone. Why not go after Ben Sheets? 

Based on the CHONE projections of fangraphs this is what the Dodgers record will be according to runs scored and runs allowed. If they manage to keep Manny Ramirez, they will be about 94-68. With Juan Pierre, 85-77, and if they sign Adam Dunn, 91-71. I figured Dunn isn't likely, but is probably the likeliest of the unlikely players.

With the bullpen and the bench still being sorted out, I used similar stats from the 2008 season, figuring the bench projection might be down a little and the bullpen might give up a few more.

Fortunately for Dodger fans, they will never have to see this pathetic excuse for a swing again. A year ago Dodger fans were cautiously optimistic that Jones would re-capture the magic he had for the better part of 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. 13 months ago, a two-year, 36.2 million dollar contract looked worth the risk.

I am sure I am expressing the opinion of most Dodger fans when I say that Manny Ramirez has to be brought back.

Are you feeeling Dodger Blue?

This could mean a couple of things. You could be a Dodger fan that feels down on your luck because the team hasn't won a World Series since 1988, hasn't been since that same year and has had one big contract after another blow up in their face.

It could also mean that you are absolutely into the Dodgers, or feeeling them. You might be such a big Dodger fan that very few things (if anything) are as important.

For me, I am both. That is why I have decided to start this website and dedictate it to everything Dodgers. This will be a place diehards can come for information and different perspectives.

Just to tell you a little about myself, I am a Dodger fan living in California's Bay Area. I live just across the bridge from San Francisco (in Berkeley) and it's tough being surrounded by so many Giants fans. Somehow over the years I have not committed suicide or murdered anyone, which I consider a miracle given the circumstances.

I am a sports writer for an East Bay Newspaper group and I also spent some time covering the A's for mlb.com, so I hope Dodger fans will trust that I have the experience and the knowledge to keep them informed and entertained.

So, like Michael Scott said: "Let's get it started. Black Eyed Crows."