NL West Preview: A Capsule

Los Angeles Dodgers (91-71): The team has had quite a few new additions, including longtime San Francisco pitcher Jason Schmidt, veterans Luis Gonzalez, Mike Leiberthal, Randy Wolf and the speedy Juan Pierre. However, during the winter, the team lost several players including Jose Cruz Jr., J.D. Drew, Eric Gagne, Toby Hall, Kenny Lofton, Julio Lugo, Jayson Werth and the ageless Greg Maddux.

In light of losing Greg Maddux, the Dodgers have once again put the focus on the upgrading their pitching, as they acquired Jason Schmidt from the rival Giants. With workhouse Derek Lowe, imposing Brad Penny, Randy Wolf, who’ll on be on the comeback trail, and as well, possibly youngster Chad Bilingsley, the Dodgers have a an impressive starting corps.

The bullpen has a mix of young and veteran arms, and will look to help the starting pitching out of jams and close out games this upcoming season with Takashi Saito and fireballer, Jonathan Broxton.

The weakness with the Dodgers is the offense, and Dodgers did not hit very many home runs in 2006; however, they are a disciplined team at the plate and led the league in batting. The Dodgers tried to add a few marquee free agents to the mix, but failed, and with J.D. Drew, a productive Kenny Lofton, along with Julio Lugo leaving, the offense once again is devoid of power in comparison to their rivals.

With the addition of Juan Pierre, and teammates Rafael Furcal, veterans Luis Gonzalez, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent along with youngsters, Russel Martin, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, the Dodgers should have an adequate offense blessed with speed and patience at the plate.

In the end, the Dodgers should be counted on being contenders once again in 2007. With a good starting corps on paper, and a bullpen with reliable arms, the Dodgers should be the class along with the Padres of the National West. The glaring weakness is the offense with its lack of power, but overall, the team should be in fine shape for a division run.

I see the Dodgers being the odds on favorite to win the division.

San Diego Padres (89-73): In about a month or so, the Friars will once again try to repeat as National League West Champions. The team had great starting pitching last season, but was devoid of power throughout the year, and they in turn at times suffered.

Recently, the team hired former pitcher Bud Black and hopefully he’ll be the guiding hand for a team blessed with pitching and young talent. The team has had quite a few new additions, including Jose Cruz Jr., Marcus Giles and Greg Maddux via free agency, while acquiring Andrew Brown, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Heath Bell and Royce Ring via trades.

For the Friars, the starting rotation is very deep with a mix of young fireballers and crafty veterans, with ace Jack Peavy looking to bounceback, Chris Young and crafty veterans, David Wells and Greg Maddux.

Much like the starting pitching, the bullpen is also strong and deep with a mixture of young talent and experienced veterans. The closer will be future Hall of Famer, Trevor Hoffman, who saved 46 games with a 2.14 ERA in 2006. Also joining Hoffman in the bullpen will be Cla Meredith, who had an amazing 2006 with a miniscule ERA of 1.07 & will be counted on producing the same result in 2007.

The offense for the Padres was lackluster at times, and the team did try to make some moves in the winter, but the market for a big bat was a bit high for the team. However, the team did make a few additions, including signing Marcus Giles & trading heralded rookie Josh Barfield for hot youngster Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Padres lost speedy Dave Roberts and the big bat of Mike Piazza, so the team hopes the new additions, plus the current roster make up the difference of the loss of those who left.

In the end, the Padres should be counted on being contenders once again in 2007. With a good starting corps on paper, and a bullpen with reliable arms, the Padres should be the class along with the Dodgers of the National West.

Arizona Diamondbacks (85-77): Although the team had a season that saw many ups and downs, they have a great, talented core and should be primed to make an impact in the National League West. With the addition of an old friend, Randy Johnson, the Diamondbacks have the potential to be players in the National League pennant race.

For the Diamondbacks, the starting rotation has the potential to be in the top echelon of the National League, as they have an ace in the making the Brandon Webb, a legendary fireballer in Randy Johnson, a crafty veteran in Livan Hernandez, and a bunch of arms ready to make an impact.

The Diamondbacks offense once again, will be fairly young, but they have some quality bats easily capable of doing damage and taking their game to the next level. With up and coming players such as Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson and Chad Tracy in the fold, the Diamondbacks should be in great shape for the future.

Heading into spring, the Diamondbacks, if the pitching can hold up and the young players and offense improve from last year, they have a good of a shot as anyone in the National League West. The team is stacked with young players all across the board, the team has so much talent and promise along with good pitching, and so they cannot be discounted as a contender in the National League.

San Francisco Giants (81-81): The organization had a lot of turnoverr in the winter as Felipe Alou retired and joined the front office, pitcher Jason Schmidt signed with the hated Dodgers and Shea Hillenbrand, Mike Stanton, & slugger Moises Alou all signed with other teams. The Giants have had several new additions, most notably Barry Zito along with Ryan Klesko, Rich Aurilia, Bengie Molina, speedy Dave Roberts, Ryan Klesko and Russ Ortiz. Taking the reigns as the manager is Bruce Bochy, formerly of the San Diego Padres.

As we know, the Giants signed Barry to a monster 7 year contract for 128 million dollars, and he’ll be the ‘man’ in the Giants’ pitching rotation.

The starting rotation for the Giants potentially could be formidable and make waves with veteran Matt Morris, youngster Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and a number of guys who may be the fifth starter, including Russ Ortiz who is on the comeback trail.

The bullpen was a major problem for the Giants in ’06. Closer Armando Benitez was out for much of the season due to an injury, and right now it’s looking unclear as to when he’ll return or if he’s healthy. Also in the bullpen will be Brian Wilson who could serve as a closer, Steve Kline, Kevin Correia, Jonathan Sanchez & Vinnie Chulk. Right now, there could be several other men favored for the bullpen, and with the retirement of Tim Worrell, things are in flux.

The batting order for the Giants has undergone some change, and is pretty old in comparison to other lineups throughout baseball and of course, much of the attention in the batting order is given to Barry Bonds. As we all know, Bonds is in pursuit of the home run and has been a force in the game since the 1990’s, but in 2006, age caught up with him as he missed a good portion of the season with knee and elbow issues, but came back strong finishing up with 26 homers and a .270 average. If he’s healthy, he’s a dangerous hitter and has a great on-base percentage. New additions to the offense include Ryan Klesko, Rich Aurilia, Bengie Molina, & speedy Dave Roberts.

The Giants may improve on their lackluster ending to ’06 in the upcoming season. The team may not be complete enough to win the NL West, but the division is wide open right now. Much of how the Giants fare will do with how Bonds recovers from his ailments in ’06 and if he can swing the bat as he did before the injuries (based on the end of last season – he can). As well, will the media attend surrounding Bonds and his BALCO case affects the ream.

What remains to be seen is can Zito be the ace and doubt the skeptics, as well can the young pitching step up and deliver? As well, the team is older and built to win now, but can they?

Colorado Rockies (77-85): While some baseball experts may not consider the Rockies at all in the playoff hunt for 2007, they are loaded with young players all on the club and in the minors; therefore, the team has so much talent and promise.

In light of it all, don’t discount the Rockies as a factor in the National League. With the emergence of Matt Holliday and several others, this season should be interesting in Colorado. For the team to make an impact, the pitching will need to step and move forward, and if the offense can repeat what they did last year, the Rockies could be a dark house in the National League West race.

Much of the team’s core is back, but some additions and changes were made. During the winter, the team traded Jason Jennings to Houston for speedy Willy Tavares, and pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsch. As well, the team acquired Rodrigo Lopez in a trade, and signed pitcher LaTroy Hawkins - but, the team lost reliever Jose Mesa in free agency.

With the trade of Jason Jennings, a quality starter, the young pitching will need to step up as the top of the rotation will be held by youngsters Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis, who have the potential to break out. Rodrigo Lopez will probably find himself in the middle of the rotation, and will look to bounce back from his horrid 2006 in Baltimore. The bullpen is not particularly strong, but it has some potentially good arms.

Rockies offense is a mix of young players and veterans, but they have some big bats easily capable of doing damage. Once again, expect Matt Holiday, Garrett Atkins to have big years for the Rockies. However, the big question is whether Todd Helton will bounce back and make the offense even more fearsome.

The Colorado Rockies play in a stacked division with the Giants, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Padres. While the Rockies are stacked with young players all across the board, the team has so much talent and promise, but it may fall short of being a contender because of the pitching.

In the end, for the Rockies to contend, the pitching will need to step and move forward, plus the offense has to do their job. Therefore, if it all comes together, Colorado might have enough firepower for to be a factor in the National League West race.