Trying to figure out the Dodgers in 2012 [Web links]

It’s that time of year to get all forecasty, which I am absolutely certain is a word, despite what Word thinks.

And what do people think of the Boys in Blue? Safe to say, they don’t know what to think. Anyway, there is no universal view. Most think they’ll be OK, with a chance of meatballs. Or was that actually contending?

Sports Illustrated’s Ben Reiter thinks the National League West is wide open, but favors the Diamondbacks and Giants.

ESPN’s first power rankings, and we know those are never wrong, has the Dodgers at 19th, well behind the Diamondbacks (seventh, best for an NL team) and Giants (10th). Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal calls the Dodgers his sleeper pick, but ranks them 15th.

ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, however, has the Dodgers second behind the Diamondbacks.

Fox Sports’ Tracy Ringolsby actually likes the Dodgers to win the division, and MLB Rumors think they will contend.

Homer Henry Schulman at the San Francisco Chronicle taps the Giants first and Dodgers third (which in full disclosure, was the same prediction as The Times’ Jim Peltz).

Also on the Web:

-- The Times’ T.J. Simers has a bad feeling about any AEG, Dodger Stadium and Magic Johnson mix with the NFL.

-- Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com has Don Mattingly all optimistic. And Adam Kennedy, who lived through an ownership change at the Angels, is encouraged about the organization and team prospects.

-- CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman profiles shortstop Dee Gordon.

-- The Palm Beach Post’s Dave George looks back on the life and career of Gil Hodges.

-- In a video, ESPN’s Shelly Smith looks at the one-year anniversary of Bryan Stow’s brutal beating.

-- The San Bernardino Sun’s J.P. Hoornstra likes the chemistry the Dodgers developed this spring. Ping pong does rock.

-- In an interview with Fox Sports Radio, incoming President Stan Kasten says: “The truth is that for most things the die is cast for 2012.”

-- Nathan Eovaldi was selected as the Dodgers’ top rookie this spring.

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Trying to figure out the Dodgers in 2012 [Web links]