Post by Rockies GM (Alex) on Mar 13, 2013 15:41:42 GMT -5
2013 National League West Preview
1. Colorado Rockies
2012 Record: 16-3
"It gets old," GM Alex stated after the team finished second in the National League for the second year in a row following the post-season loss to Cincinnati in the NLCS. It was the second straight year Colorado couldn't win that last game to play in the one that means the most. But here they are again, and there's nothing else to do but put another competitive team out there with a chance to win it all. The Rockies own one of the more talented lineups in the league led by a tandem of star third basemen in David Wright (590 points) and Evan Longoria (275 points - injured for half the season). These two are the cornerstones of this offense and should be for years to come. At first, the team relies on the aging Paul Konerko (475 points) to blast balls out of the park. In the outfield, veteran Jason Kubel (487 points) had a career year, and now sophomore Bryce Harper (520 points) should put up even more points in a full season. Hurling the ball towards home plate, David Price (600 points) was the runner-up for Cy Young in the National League and got a nice new contract as a result. Crafty C.J. Wilson (465 points) and newly acquired young gun Jarrod Parker (431 points) will serve as the 2,3 in this rotation of starters. On the back end, the Rockies will go with a mixture of veteran Jake Westbrook (382 points), Jhoulys Chacin, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Vance Worley. The best part of this team, unlike most, is perhaps the bullpen. The Rockies own the best pair of closers in baseball in Craig Kimbrel (435 points) and Rafael Soriano (416 points). It should be another great year for the Rockies, but the key to this season isn't regular season prowess: it's getting it done in the playoffs.
Grade: A
2. San Diego Padres
2012 Record: 12-7
I guess when you look at it, the same could be said for the Padres. Two straight second place finishes in the NL West, and no playoff birth to show for it. Don't be fooled by the lack of berths in the post-season, this is a playoff team that's simply not making the playoffs. This west coast team should be the hunt again for one of the three wild card births in the N.L.. After a breakout, MVP like season, Chase Headley (646 points) established himself as a household name for the Padres at third. At short, Everth Cabrera (337 points) provided valuable speed and seemed to swipe a bag every time get got one base. Another star in this lineup is outfielder Matt Holliday (584 points), who continues to produce top-line stats year after year. The team will hope that high-paid outfielder Jayson Werth (270 points) can bounce back and be the big run producer he once was. Leading the rotation, Mat Latos (522 points) confirmed everyone's notions that he was one darn good pitcher. Consequently, he re-upped with San Diego and signed for another three years to give the team an ace for the long-run. Behind Latos, Max Scherzer (509 points) had his coming out party in 2012 and greatly bolstered the Padres rotation. Finally, in the 3 and 4 spots, San Diego will go to Clayton Richard (446 points) and breakout starter Scott Diamond (380 points) to fill out the staff. Ernesto Frieri (349 points) returns to close out games from the bullpen. All in all, the Padres will be a great team in 2013, but can they finally get it done to get into the post-season?
Grade: B+
3. San Francisco Giants
2012 Record: 3-16
Let's face it, San Fran was a disaster in the 2012. I claimed last year that the team could "be a playoff contender, or have a mediocre year", but neither of those happened. The Giants ended up in the top 5 for the Amateur draft and gaves fans little to cheer about. Regardless of last year's disappointment, the team is under new management and a few off-season moves have made the outlook a little brighter. The central weakness of this team is a lack of star-power on the offensive end. At first, Paul Goldschmidt (534 points) broke out last season to become a top ten first baseman. The Giants hope he can continue to develop even further to become one of the elite at his position. On the other side of the diamond, Brett Lawrie (376 points) showed he can stick at third for the future and give San Fran a solid punch in the middle of the lineup. Unlike last season, Victor Martinez will be back with his bat after missing last season with an injury. It is still a hope that Domonic Brown can prove his doubters wrong and reach his potential that was raved about a just a few years ago. What makes a difference for the Giants this season is their greatly improved rotation. Matt Cain (571 points) is an top-of-the-line starter and is a proven leader in this pitching corp. After Cain, the team acquired Dan Haren (380 points), Brandon Beachy (196 points on DL), and Lance Lynn (485 points). These three quickly make this crew one of the best in the league. At the end of games, Joaquin Benoit (298 points) was effective last season and is back again. The Giants will win more than 3 games, but the playoffs might be a little ways away with the offensive not up to par.
Grade: B-
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
2012 Record: 8-11
The D'backs were another disappointing team last season in an overall disappointing division that sent just one team to the post-season. Many thought that Arizona would be the surprise team of 2012 and give Colorado a run for their money at the thrown of the National League West, but the team finished below .500 and were forced to try something else in the future. The Diamondbacks offense, much like the Giants, is what holds them back. The team made a move mid-season to acquire outfielder Alfonso Soriano (519 points) from Colorado for a draft pick, and he blossomed into the leader for the lineup. This off-season, the Giants also brought in Kendrys Morales (391 points). A player looking for a fresh venue, Morales should improve in 2013 to give 'zona a nice one-two punch. Nick Markakis (375 points) is another solid bat that can help drive in runs. Getting to the strength of the D'backs, the rotation's quality has diminished slightly, but is still a top group in the league. James Shields (553 points), acquired from Tampa Bay last season, emerged as the ace and is signed for a few more years. Ian Kennedy (485 points) is a great number option after Shields has completed a routine decimation of a lineup. After these two, the team hopes that Ricky Romero (320 points) and Jair Jurrjens can rebound to pitch like they did in 2011. Andy Pettitte, the legend post-season pitcher, can hopefully give the team one more year. In the bullpen, a solid one-two pair of J.J. Putz (283 points) and Luke Gregerson (309 points) leads one of the most talented groups in the National League. The D'backs have shot this year, but a lot of things will have to go right and the pitchers will have be even better. It's a long shot, but possible.
Grade: C+
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
2012 Record: 2-17
Okay, let's get this straight, the Dodgers are not a two win ball club and the numbers back that up. What's being called the "other team from LA" was actually 22nd in the league according to point totals. However, if you look at it with optimism, the Dodgers ended up with the 2nd overall pick in the draft, which can't hurt. This season, the Dodgers will look to rebound and near the .500 mark. After a few moves, their offense is beginning to take shape. Jimmy Rollins (609 points) , acquired from Texas, was a monster at the plate last season. Despite his age, he's still in his prime and should be the leader of this group in 2013. The team also acquired Dan Uggla (440 points) in the off-season to fill a hole at second. Manning the outfield, Dexter Fowler (420 points) and Ben Revere (392 points) are two young speedsters that should anchor their positions for years to come for Los Angeles. Quietly, Brandon Moss (295 points) played well in the chances he got at first last season. Leading the way for the rotation is Justin Masterson (403 points). However, outside of Masterson, Kevin Correia (355 points) was the only truly productive player in the starting rotation. Unlike San Fran and Arizona before them, the Dodgers need to improve their rotation to have a chance of cracking the top 3 in the division. Thankfully, they still have the number two pick in each round of the draft that could possibly draw an ace to help out the team sometime before June or July. However, if a deal doesn't get done to get the rotation together, it's highly doubtful that the Dodgers have a shot at making some noise in the NL West.
Grade: C
Final 2013 NL West Projections:
1. Rockies
2. Padres
3. Giants
4. D'backs
5. Dodgers
1. Colorado Rockies
2012 Record: 16-3
"It gets old," GM Alex stated after the team finished second in the National League for the second year in a row following the post-season loss to Cincinnati in the NLCS. It was the second straight year Colorado couldn't win that last game to play in the one that means the most. But here they are again, and there's nothing else to do but put another competitive team out there with a chance to win it all. The Rockies own one of the more talented lineups in the league led by a tandem of star third basemen in David Wright (590 points) and Evan Longoria (275 points - injured for half the season). These two are the cornerstones of this offense and should be for years to come. At first, the team relies on the aging Paul Konerko (475 points) to blast balls out of the park. In the outfield, veteran Jason Kubel (487 points) had a career year, and now sophomore Bryce Harper (520 points) should put up even more points in a full season. Hurling the ball towards home plate, David Price (600 points) was the runner-up for Cy Young in the National League and got a nice new contract as a result. Crafty C.J. Wilson (465 points) and newly acquired young gun Jarrod Parker (431 points) will serve as the 2,3 in this rotation of starters. On the back end, the Rockies will go with a mixture of veteran Jake Westbrook (382 points), Jhoulys Chacin, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Vance Worley. The best part of this team, unlike most, is perhaps the bullpen. The Rockies own the best pair of closers in baseball in Craig Kimbrel (435 points) and Rafael Soriano (416 points). It should be another great year for the Rockies, but the key to this season isn't regular season prowess: it's getting it done in the playoffs.
Grade: A
2. San Diego Padres
2012 Record: 12-7
I guess when you look at it, the same could be said for the Padres. Two straight second place finishes in the NL West, and no playoff birth to show for it. Don't be fooled by the lack of berths in the post-season, this is a playoff team that's simply not making the playoffs. This west coast team should be the hunt again for one of the three wild card births in the N.L.. After a breakout, MVP like season, Chase Headley (646 points) established himself as a household name for the Padres at third. At short, Everth Cabrera (337 points) provided valuable speed and seemed to swipe a bag every time get got one base. Another star in this lineup is outfielder Matt Holliday (584 points), who continues to produce top-line stats year after year. The team will hope that high-paid outfielder Jayson Werth (270 points) can bounce back and be the big run producer he once was. Leading the rotation, Mat Latos (522 points) confirmed everyone's notions that he was one darn good pitcher. Consequently, he re-upped with San Diego and signed for another three years to give the team an ace for the long-run. Behind Latos, Max Scherzer (509 points) had his coming out party in 2012 and greatly bolstered the Padres rotation. Finally, in the 3 and 4 spots, San Diego will go to Clayton Richard (446 points) and breakout starter Scott Diamond (380 points) to fill out the staff. Ernesto Frieri (349 points) returns to close out games from the bullpen. All in all, the Padres will be a great team in 2013, but can they finally get it done to get into the post-season?
Grade: B+
3. San Francisco Giants
2012 Record: 3-16
Let's face it, San Fran was a disaster in the 2012. I claimed last year that the team could "be a playoff contender, or have a mediocre year", but neither of those happened. The Giants ended up in the top 5 for the Amateur draft and gaves fans little to cheer about. Regardless of last year's disappointment, the team is under new management and a few off-season moves have made the outlook a little brighter. The central weakness of this team is a lack of star-power on the offensive end. At first, Paul Goldschmidt (534 points) broke out last season to become a top ten first baseman. The Giants hope he can continue to develop even further to become one of the elite at his position. On the other side of the diamond, Brett Lawrie (376 points) showed he can stick at third for the future and give San Fran a solid punch in the middle of the lineup. Unlike last season, Victor Martinez will be back with his bat after missing last season with an injury. It is still a hope that Domonic Brown can prove his doubters wrong and reach his potential that was raved about a just a few years ago. What makes a difference for the Giants this season is their greatly improved rotation. Matt Cain (571 points) is an top-of-the-line starter and is a proven leader in this pitching corp. After Cain, the team acquired Dan Haren (380 points), Brandon Beachy (196 points on DL), and Lance Lynn (485 points). These three quickly make this crew one of the best in the league. At the end of games, Joaquin Benoit (298 points) was effective last season and is back again. The Giants will win more than 3 games, but the playoffs might be a little ways away with the offensive not up to par.
Grade: B-
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
2012 Record: 8-11
The D'backs were another disappointing team last season in an overall disappointing division that sent just one team to the post-season. Many thought that Arizona would be the surprise team of 2012 and give Colorado a run for their money at the thrown of the National League West, but the team finished below .500 and were forced to try something else in the future. The Diamondbacks offense, much like the Giants, is what holds them back. The team made a move mid-season to acquire outfielder Alfonso Soriano (519 points) from Colorado for a draft pick, and he blossomed into the leader for the lineup. This off-season, the Giants also brought in Kendrys Morales (391 points). A player looking for a fresh venue, Morales should improve in 2013 to give 'zona a nice one-two punch. Nick Markakis (375 points) is another solid bat that can help drive in runs. Getting to the strength of the D'backs, the rotation's quality has diminished slightly, but is still a top group in the league. James Shields (553 points), acquired from Tampa Bay last season, emerged as the ace and is signed for a few more years. Ian Kennedy (485 points) is a great number option after Shields has completed a routine decimation of a lineup. After these two, the team hopes that Ricky Romero (320 points) and Jair Jurrjens can rebound to pitch like they did in 2011. Andy Pettitte, the legend post-season pitcher, can hopefully give the team one more year. In the bullpen, a solid one-two pair of J.J. Putz (283 points) and Luke Gregerson (309 points) leads one of the most talented groups in the National League. The D'backs have shot this year, but a lot of things will have to go right and the pitchers will have be even better. It's a long shot, but possible.
Grade: C+
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
2012 Record: 2-17
Okay, let's get this straight, the Dodgers are not a two win ball club and the numbers back that up. What's being called the "other team from LA" was actually 22nd in the league according to point totals. However, if you look at it with optimism, the Dodgers ended up with the 2nd overall pick in the draft, which can't hurt. This season, the Dodgers will look to rebound and near the .500 mark. After a few moves, their offense is beginning to take shape. Jimmy Rollins (609 points) , acquired from Texas, was a monster at the plate last season. Despite his age, he's still in his prime and should be the leader of this group in 2013. The team also acquired Dan Uggla (440 points) in the off-season to fill a hole at second. Manning the outfield, Dexter Fowler (420 points) and Ben Revere (392 points) are two young speedsters that should anchor their positions for years to come for Los Angeles. Quietly, Brandon Moss (295 points) played well in the chances he got at first last season. Leading the way for the rotation is Justin Masterson (403 points). However, outside of Masterson, Kevin Correia (355 points) was the only truly productive player in the starting rotation. Unlike San Fran and Arizona before them, the Dodgers need to improve their rotation to have a chance of cracking the top 3 in the division. Thankfully, they still have the number two pick in each round of the draft that could possibly draw an ace to help out the team sometime before June or July. However, if a deal doesn't get done to get the rotation together, it's highly doubtful that the Dodgers have a shot at making some noise in the NL West.
Grade: C
Final 2013 NL West Projections:
1. Rockies
2. Padres
3. Giants
4. D'backs
5. Dodgers