While some teams in the NL West improved vastly, others lost key players that may affect this year’s standings…
Michael Shames | Co-News Editor
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers (92-70) – Division Champ
Notable Additions: IF Howie Kendrick, SP Brandon McCarthy, C Yasmani Grandal, IF Jimmy Rollins
Notable Subtractions: OF Matt Kemp, IF Dee Gordon, IF Hanley Ramirez
The Dodgers may have lost an outfielder in Kemp, who was a serious MVP candidate just a few years ago, but they should have no trouble filling that void this year. They already have Yasiel Puig as a mainstay, as well as veterans Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier, and Palo Alto prospect Joc Pederson. As for their infield, they made a very under the radar acquisition in Howie Kendrick, who was the second best hitting second basemen in the league last year, only behind Robinson Cano of the Mariners. They also went out and got shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who can definitely fill in as a role player and contribute to this team. As for their pitching, Clayton Kershaw. Enough said. Expect the Dodgers to continue their regular season success and run away with this division.
San Francisco Giants (85-77) – Wildcard
Notable Additions: 3B Casey McGehee, OF Nori Aoki
Notable Subtractions: 3B Pablo Sandoval, OF Michael Morse
The Giants lost some serious power this offseason in Sandoval and Morse, both in the top four in Giants home run totals from last season. While he did not go out and sign big name power hitters, Sabean made some savvy moves to fill in the holes. Honestly, nobody wanted to see Joaquin Arias have to take the field on opening day, so the Giants signed third baseman Casey McGehee, who had a terrific comeback season last year. To make up for the loss of Morse, the Giants signed outfielder Nori Aoki, who has already proved his big league worth as a tough out in the top of the lineup. Second baseman Joe Panik will look to build off of his brilliant rookie campaign, while first baseman Brandon Belt will look to stay healthy and continue his upwards career trajectory. The reason the World Series champs aren’t any higher is that there are too many question marks with their starting pitching. After Madison Bumgarner, the rotations is comprised of old guys who look to be entering the last legs of their careers, and the unpredictable Tim Lincecum. The bullpen does look pretty solid, and will look to continue their perennial success. While they may not be as talented as their division rival, no one is counting the Giants out as a serious wild card contender.
San Diego Padres (82-80)
Notable Additions: SP James Shields, OF Matt Kemp, OF Will Myers, OF Justin Upton, IF Will Middlebrooks
Notable Subtractions: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Seth Smith
General manager AJ Preller and the Padres made the most noise in free agency with their flurry of trades and free agent signings. Topping these acquisitions is James Shields, one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball, and Matt Kemp, who when healthy, can be a lethal hitter in the middle of a lineup. While their pitching does look pretty solid this year with Shields, Ian Kennedy and Andrew Cashner fronting the rotation, I am not totally convinced in this team’s hitting potential passed Kemp. They had one of the worst offenses in the majors last year, and even with all of the terrific moves Preller made this offseason, they still don’t have enough to put up big run totals this year. They are about one more solid hitter or two away from being a playoff team, unless their can improve upon an already brilliant 2014.
Colorado Rockies (71-91)
Notable Additions: SP Kyle Kendrick,
Notable Subtractions: OF Michael Cuddyer, SP Brett Anderson
Unfortunately for the Rockies, it is very hard to get free agent pitchers because nobody wants to pitch at their home-run inducing home stadium. So, Kendrick is the best they can do. That is not good enough, and neither is the rest of their rotation. As for their hitting, they have had the core of Cuddyer, Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki leading this team the past few years. They lost Cuddyer to free agency, and Tulo and Gonzalez have been having their share of big injuries recently. Charlie Blackmon broke out into the spotlight last year, but cooled down considerably towards the end of the season. One of the few bright spots on this team is outfielder Corey Dickerson, who broke out as a young talent last year. This still is not a good team, but at least for them there is one even more dismal team in the division.
Arizona Diamondbacks (67-95)
Notable Additions: IF/OF Yasmany Thomas, SP Rubby De La Rosa
Notable Subtractions: C Miguel Montero, SP Wade Miley
Last year, the D-Backs were forced to rely solely on 1B Paul Goldschmidt for offense, after the injury to OF Mark Trumbo. Fortunately for them, Trumbo is hoping to come back healthy, and they also signed Cuban potential power prospect Yasmany Thomas. However, they do not have a formidale catcher at the moment, and one of the worst rotations got even worse with the loss of their best pitcher. Their hopeful offense will not be able to win games by itself this year. They may improve slightly after an injury-riddled 2014 season, but that’s only because it’s really hard to be any worse.
