Zagi-CRO
02-19-2009, 07:38 AM
2009 Season Preview NL WEST
Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: 90 - 72 1st place :nod:
In: INF Casey Blake, INF Mark Loretta, LHP Randy Wolf, RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Tanyon Sturtze, LHP Eric Milton, RHP Claudio Vargas, RHP Edgar Martinez, SS Juan Castro, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Guillermo Mota, C Brad Ausmus, OF Manny Ramirez
Out: SP Derek Lowe, SP Brad Penny, SP Chan Ho Park, RHP Scott Proctor, RHP Takashi Saito, OF Manny Ramirez, SS Angel Berroa, OF Andruw Jones
The Dodgers have only lost five players this year from their 2008 roster not named Manny – but they are all pitchers. They have lost Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Chan Ho Park, Scott Proctor and Takashi Saito to other teams this off season. While most teams are trying their best to get as much pitching as possible the Dodgers lost significant pitching.
Keep an eye on J.McDonald, A.Lambo, Et.Martin, S.Elbert.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Prediction: 84 - 78 2nd place :nod:
In: SP Jon Garland, RHP Tom Gordon, INF Felipe Lopez, LHP Scott Schoeneweis, INF Augie Ojeda, RHP Bobby Korecky, C Luke Carlin
Out: Randy Johnson, Brandon Lyon, Orlando Hudson, RHP Connor Robertson
The Diamondbacks had one of the best farm systems in the Major Leagues for numerous years and that farm system is really starting to pay dividends. Whether it is the young talent on the field that came up from the farm system or players traded out of their system to get players like Dan Haren, the Diamondbacks are a perfect example of building a good team through the minor leagues rather than free agency.
The players who will play a major part for the Diamondbacks on Opening Day include Conor Jackson, Chris Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, Mark Reynolds, Brandon Webb, Chad Tracy, Chris Snyder and Max Scherzer all have never played for any other Major League team other than the Diamondbacks.
Not too many teams can say this and be successful.
This off-season they have lost a few pitchers, starter Randy Johnson; and key relievers Brandon Lyon. Their primary offensive loss has been Orlando Hudson. Their additions have included Jon Garland, Tom Gordon, and Felipe Lopez. The D-Backs are an enigmatic team. They have a load of young talent in the field, and a possible future ace in Max Scherzer. However, with their youngsters a year older last season, they were barely able to break above .500. Which leads us to this season. The door seems to be wide open in the NL West for the D-Backs to emerge as the front runners. However, this is easier said than done. The back end of the rotation is suspect and injury prone with Doug Davis and Jon Garland. While the lineup is full of youth, with much promise.
Keep an eye on J.Parker, D.Schlereth, Ger.Parra.
San Francisco Giants
Prediction: 83 - 79 3rd place :debate:
In: Juan Uribe, LHP Randy Johnson , RHP Brandon Medders, INF Rich Aurilia, RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Luis Perdomo, INF Edgar Renteria, RHP Bob Howry, RHP Justin Miller, 1B Josh Phelps, LHP Jeremy Affeldt, OF Andres Torres
Out:
If they can somehow sign Manny, the Giants could have enough pieces to make a nice run this season. I love their young starting staff. Headed by Tim Lincecum, this staff might carry the Giants to much future success. By adding the aging Randy Johnson to the mix, the Giants could have enough to win MLB's worst division.
When the Giants are at the plate they have some veterans mixed with young talent. Randy Winn, Bengie Molina, Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria provide the experience needed to teach the younger players like Fred Lewis, Pablo Sandoval and down the road Buster Posey.
Keep an eye on Mad.Bumgarner, A.Villalona, T.Alderson, B.Posey.
Colorado Rockies
Prediction: 72 - 90 4th place :crazy
In: LHP Alan Embree, RHP Josh Fogg, OF Matt Murton, C Sal Fasano, LHP Randy Flores, RHP Jason Marquis, RHP Matt Belisle, OF Daniel Ortmeier, 2B Luis Gonzalez, C Paul Phillips
Out:OF Willy Taveras, INF Jonathan Herrera, OF Matt Holliday, INF Corey Wimberly, RHP Luis Vizcaino
Despite having some nice things to say about the Rockies, I don't think they'll win anything significant this season. If everything breaks just right- if Helton stays healthy, if Matsui becomes the guy everyone thought he'd be after arriving stateside from Japan, if the pitching holds up, if the pitching holds up, and if the pitching holds up- the Rockies could challenge for the Wild Card. I doubt they'll get there, but I will say this- the Rockies will win more than 75 games.
Keep an eye on D.Fowler, Ch.Nelson, C.Weathers.
San Diego Padres
Prediction: 67 - 95 5th place :rainy:
In: C Henry Blanco, OF Chris Burke, 2B David Eckstein, OF Cliff Floyd, RHP Heath Bell, RP Mark Worrell, IF David Eckstein, RHP Jae Kuk Ryu, INF Chris Burke
Out: C Josh Bard SP Shawn Estes, SP Charlie Haeger, RP Trevor Hoffman, RP Brett Tomko, C Michael Barrett, SS Khalil Greene, SP Matt Bush, SP Greg Maddux (Retired), RHP Virgil Vasquez
The Padres are suffering from severe deficiencies on and off the field. Owner John Moores is in the process of selling the team, but mandated that payroll must be dropped to $40 million. That stifled the Padres’ abilities to make moves this offseason and put them in a bad place with ace Jake Peavy. On the field, the Padres have a lack of offense and depth in the rotation. It’s not going to be a pretty year for the Padres.
The bullpen will be without a very familiar face, as legend and future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman swaps his surfboard for a home-brewing kit, joining the Milwaukee Brewers. How does the pen look without him?
It would be a surprise if this team lost less than 94 games, even in that division. There are too many questions about the rotation and lineup to suggest the Padres can finish better than fifth in the West.
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Please. note your opinion!
Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: 90 - 72 1st place :nod:
In: INF Casey Blake, INF Mark Loretta, LHP Randy Wolf, RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Tanyon Sturtze, LHP Eric Milton, RHP Claudio Vargas, RHP Edgar Martinez, SS Juan Castro, LHP Shawn Estes, RHP Guillermo Mota, C Brad Ausmus, OF Manny Ramirez
Out: SP Derek Lowe, SP Brad Penny, SP Chan Ho Park, RHP Scott Proctor, RHP Takashi Saito, OF Manny Ramirez, SS Angel Berroa, OF Andruw Jones
The Dodgers have only lost five players this year from their 2008 roster not named Manny – but they are all pitchers. They have lost Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Chan Ho Park, Scott Proctor and Takashi Saito to other teams this off season. While most teams are trying their best to get as much pitching as possible the Dodgers lost significant pitching.
Keep an eye on J.McDonald, A.Lambo, Et.Martin, S.Elbert.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Prediction: 84 - 78 2nd place :nod:
In: SP Jon Garland, RHP Tom Gordon, INF Felipe Lopez, LHP Scott Schoeneweis, INF Augie Ojeda, RHP Bobby Korecky, C Luke Carlin
Out: Randy Johnson, Brandon Lyon, Orlando Hudson, RHP Connor Robertson
The Diamondbacks had one of the best farm systems in the Major Leagues for numerous years and that farm system is really starting to pay dividends. Whether it is the young talent on the field that came up from the farm system or players traded out of their system to get players like Dan Haren, the Diamondbacks are a perfect example of building a good team through the minor leagues rather than free agency.
The players who will play a major part for the Diamondbacks on Opening Day include Conor Jackson, Chris Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, Mark Reynolds, Brandon Webb, Chad Tracy, Chris Snyder and Max Scherzer all have never played for any other Major League team other than the Diamondbacks.
Not too many teams can say this and be successful.
This off-season they have lost a few pitchers, starter Randy Johnson; and key relievers Brandon Lyon. Their primary offensive loss has been Orlando Hudson. Their additions have included Jon Garland, Tom Gordon, and Felipe Lopez. The D-Backs are an enigmatic team. They have a load of young talent in the field, and a possible future ace in Max Scherzer. However, with their youngsters a year older last season, they were barely able to break above .500. Which leads us to this season. The door seems to be wide open in the NL West for the D-Backs to emerge as the front runners. However, this is easier said than done. The back end of the rotation is suspect and injury prone with Doug Davis and Jon Garland. While the lineup is full of youth, with much promise.
Keep an eye on J.Parker, D.Schlereth, Ger.Parra.
San Francisco Giants
Prediction: 83 - 79 3rd place :debate:
In: Juan Uribe, LHP Randy Johnson , RHP Brandon Medders, INF Rich Aurilia, RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Luis Perdomo, INF Edgar Renteria, RHP Bob Howry, RHP Justin Miller, 1B Josh Phelps, LHP Jeremy Affeldt, OF Andres Torres
Out:
If they can somehow sign Manny, the Giants could have enough pieces to make a nice run this season. I love their young starting staff. Headed by Tim Lincecum, this staff might carry the Giants to much future success. By adding the aging Randy Johnson to the mix, the Giants could have enough to win MLB's worst division.
When the Giants are at the plate they have some veterans mixed with young talent. Randy Winn, Bengie Molina, Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria provide the experience needed to teach the younger players like Fred Lewis, Pablo Sandoval and down the road Buster Posey.
Keep an eye on Mad.Bumgarner, A.Villalona, T.Alderson, B.Posey.
Colorado Rockies
Prediction: 72 - 90 4th place :crazy
In: LHP Alan Embree, RHP Josh Fogg, OF Matt Murton, C Sal Fasano, LHP Randy Flores, RHP Jason Marquis, RHP Matt Belisle, OF Daniel Ortmeier, 2B Luis Gonzalez, C Paul Phillips
Out:OF Willy Taveras, INF Jonathan Herrera, OF Matt Holliday, INF Corey Wimberly, RHP Luis Vizcaino
Despite having some nice things to say about the Rockies, I don't think they'll win anything significant this season. If everything breaks just right- if Helton stays healthy, if Matsui becomes the guy everyone thought he'd be after arriving stateside from Japan, if the pitching holds up, if the pitching holds up, and if the pitching holds up- the Rockies could challenge for the Wild Card. I doubt they'll get there, but I will say this- the Rockies will win more than 75 games.
Keep an eye on D.Fowler, Ch.Nelson, C.Weathers.
San Diego Padres
Prediction: 67 - 95 5th place :rainy:
In: C Henry Blanco, OF Chris Burke, 2B David Eckstein, OF Cliff Floyd, RHP Heath Bell, RP Mark Worrell, IF David Eckstein, RHP Jae Kuk Ryu, INF Chris Burke
Out: C Josh Bard SP Shawn Estes, SP Charlie Haeger, RP Trevor Hoffman, RP Brett Tomko, C Michael Barrett, SS Khalil Greene, SP Matt Bush, SP Greg Maddux (Retired), RHP Virgil Vasquez
The Padres are suffering from severe deficiencies on and off the field. Owner John Moores is in the process of selling the team, but mandated that payroll must be dropped to $40 million. That stifled the Padres’ abilities to make moves this offseason and put them in a bad place with ace Jake Peavy. On the field, the Padres have a lack of offense and depth in the rotation. It’s not going to be a pretty year for the Padres.
The bullpen will be without a very familiar face, as legend and future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman swaps his surfboard for a home-brewing kit, joining the Milwaukee Brewers. How does the pen look without him?
It would be a surprise if this team lost less than 94 games, even in that division. There are too many questions about the rotation and lineup to suggest the Padres can finish better than fifth in the West.
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Please. note your opinion!