With less than a month to go until pitchers and catchers report, the Dodgers appear primed to enter the season once again considered the favorites to capture the title. Naturally, that got us to thinking about what it would take for the Dodgers to not just fall short of the World Series -- any seasoned baseball observer knows there are few guarantees so far as postseason success goes -- but to miss the playoffs entirely.

The Dodgers are the deal. I like it that they win. A lot. And make good deals. A lot. And spend money. A lot of it. But it’s almost too much this year.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have assembled a great roster littered with stars and future Hall of Famers, but it doesn't guarantee them a World Series.