The NL WEST was about the quietest division in baseball this off-season. The Diamondbacks signed Jason Kubel and traded for Trevor Cahill. The Dodgers went on a free agent spending spree despite their modest budget constraints. The Giants traded for Melky Cabrera and The Padres traded Matt Latos for a slew of prospects. The 2012 NL West should be competitive again, much like last year.
Colorado Rockies.
This team’s offense is good. Signing Michael Cuddyer only made them better. Michael Cuddyer will hit 30 bombs this year in that ball park. Dexter Fowler will steal 50 bases and Cargo will go for 30/30 if not possibly 40/40. The rotation is the question mark with them going into 2012. Can Jeremy Guthrie be a dominant starter and true ace of the squad? His numbers this spring are not outstanding by any means. Their best pitcher just might be rookie Drew Pomeranz who is having an excellent spring boasting a .82 ERA and walk/k rate of 3 to 1. However, this is spring and a lot can change. Note, the Rockies will be getting back Jorge De La Rosa from TJ surgery sometime in late June early July. I think this team’s offense can carry them this season to a surprising first place finish.
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Arizona Diamondbacks.
At this point this team is poised for a major regression or a step forward. After last year’s surprising season I think they can repeat last year to a point. The Diamondbacks are a young team-featuring rookie of the year candidate Paul Goldschmidt. The team’s MVP and all star Justin Upton will continue to get even better, cementing himself in fantasy line ups as the #1 pick. The big question mark was the signing of Jason Kubel. Not only does the D-backs have a solid left fielder in Parra, they have a gold glove winner! The D-backs return Ian Kennedy who last year wowed all with such a dominating performance that earned him Cy Young votes. Daniel Hudson, Josh Collmenter, Trevor Cahill and Joe Saunders round out a solid rotation.
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San Francisco Giants.
The thing holding back the Giants once again is offense. They have the pitching to win another world series but can they hit more? They have two solid run producers in Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey but after that it is a giant question mark. Can Angel Pagan find his “lost” swing? Can Melky Cabrera repeat last year’s solid performance? Can Aubrey Huff return to the player he was in 2010? Freddy Sanchez, will he stay healthy? The Giants with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner all aces in their own right will contend but the offense will falter causing them to miss the playoffs again.
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Los Angeles Dodgers.
The LA Dodgers final months under hated owner Frank McCourt are upon us. The team soon will be in the hands of an owner that can spend money on the field rather than in the courts. Dodgers fans unite! However, this season features some unique things the Dodgers can look forward to. Starting with Matt Kemp the TRUE MVP, and Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw. Matt Kemp had an amazing season last year, I think he can repeat his 40/40 mark. Clayton is coming into his own and becoming the best pitcher in the game. Ethier is due for a new contract and is looking GREAT in spring. Dee Gordon could swipe 60 bases this year and turn into the next great short stop. The team filled around these talented players with at best role players in Mark Ellis, Juan Uribe, Juan Rivera, Tony Gwynn Jr. and James Loney. They have a lights out new closer in Javy Guerra and a solid set up man in Kanley Jansen. The Dodgers are poised to compete with the Giants for third in the division.
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WON'T BE DOING MUCH OF THAT THIS YEAR.
San Diego Padres.
Not much to say about the Padres. They have one of the best farm systems in the game and much like the Royals will start plugging these guys in all over the place. Yonder Alonso came over in the Matt Latos trade and will be at first base starting off the 2012 season. Cameron Maybin is finally coming into the player he was drafted to be, which is a good thing. The Padres feature a sneaky good pitcher named Corey Luebke and a top closer in Huston Street. Around these players are older veterans like Orlando Hudson and Carlos Quentin, unproven playmakers Chase Headley, Nick Hundley and former stars looking for a new leaf in Edison Volquez. The Padres will be bad this year but the light is at the end of the tunnel.
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