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2007 NL West Preview

Last updated March 31

Arizona Diamondbacks

Projected Lineup
1. Chris Young - CF
2. Orlando Hudson - 2B
3. Chad Tracy - 3B
4. Eric Byrnes - LF
5. Conor Jackson - 1B
6. Scott Hairston - RF
7. Stephen Drew - SS
8. Chris Snyder - C
Rotation:
1. Brandon Webb - R
2. Livan Hernandez - R
3. Doug Davis - L
4. Edgar Gonzalez - R
5. Dustin Nippert - R
Closer:
Jose Valverde - R
Relief:
Brandon Lyon - R
Brandon Medders - R

Front Office Lead: Josh Byrnes
Manager: Bob Melvin
Signings/Acquisitions: LHP Doug Davis (Brewers), RHP J.D. Durbin (Twins) LHP Dana Eveland (Brewers), LHP Randy Johnson (Yankees), CF David Krynzel (Brewers), RHP Yusmeiro Petit (Marlins), OF Alex Romero (Twins)
Departures: RHP Greg Aquino (Brewers), RHP Miguel Batista (Mariners), SS Craig Counsell (Brewers), C Johnny Estrada (Brewers), SS Damon Easley (Mets), LF Luis Gonzalez (Dodgers), RHP Jorge Julio (Marlins), RHP Claudio Vargas (Brewers), RHP Luis Vizcaino (Yankees)
Diamondbacks Team Page

Interesting Facts: Brandon Webb allowed 0.57 home runs per nine innings last season, the best mark in the National League.

Update: The 'Big Unit' Randy Johnson won't be ready to start the season and looks to be headed to the DL. He should be back in mid-April after having off-season back surgery. The D-backs traded away Jorge Julio to the Marlins, so they obviously believe that Jose Valverde will be able to hold down the job this year, or they have better internal options. While Carlos Quintin will start the season on the DL because of a slight tear in his left labrum, it will be back dated, and he should return on April 7.
TSN.ca Analysis: To try to move up in the ultra competitive NL West, the Diamondbacks brought back Randy Johnson, who along with Curt Schilling helped the D-backs win the World Series in 2001. Johnson, who hopes to be ready to start the season, will join the immerging Brandon Webb and innings eaters Livan Hernandez and Doug Davis. While their starting pitching is clearly their strength, the bullpen has some question marks. Jose Valverde will once again get a chance to close out games - after losing, then reclaiming the job last season. If Valverde can't find the consistency needed, manager Bob Melvin could go back to Jorge Julio who has experience closing games. Offensively, the Diamondbacks feature an impressive group of young hitters - Connor Jackson, Carlos Quinton, Stephen Drew and Chris Young. If three or all four of them can reach their potential this season, the D-backs could be a dark horse to contend. Realistically though, they will improve this season and look to make an impact in 2007.

Colorado Rockies

Projected Lineup
1. Willy Taveras - CF
2. Kaz Matsui - 2B
3. Garrett Atkins - 3B
4. Todd Helton - 1B
5. Matt Holliday - LF
6. Brad Hawpe - RF
7. Troy Tulowitzki - SS
8. Chris Iannetta - C
Rotation:
1. Jeff Francis - L
2. Aaron Cook - R
3. Rodrigo Lopez - R
4. Jason Hirsh - R
5. Josh Fogg - R
Closer:
Brian Fuentes - L
Relief:
LaTroy Hawkins - R
Jeremy Affeldt - L

Front Office Lead: Dan O'Dowd
Manager: Clint Hurdle
Signings/Acquisitions: RHP Taylor Buchholz (Astros), RHP LaTroy Hawkins (Orioles), RHP Matt Herges (Marlins), RHP Bryan Lawrence (Nationals), C Javier Lopez (Orioles), 1B John Mabry (Cubs), CF Willy Taveras (Astros)
Departures: RHP Miguel Asencio (Astros), 3B Vinny Castilla (Retired), 2B Luis Gonzalez (Japan), RHP Jason Jennings (Astros), LHP Ray King (Nationals), RHP Jose Mesa (Tigers), RHP Chin-hui Tsao (Dodgers), LHP Mike Venafro (Twins)
Rockies Team Page

Interesting Facts: While it might not be surprising to see that four Rockies finished in the top 10 for NL home batting averages, it is surprising that Jamey Carroll led the group with .375 - followed by Matt Holliday .373, Garrett Atkins .346 and Todd Helton .338.

Update: Despite getting a five-game suspension this spring, Rockies starter Jeff Francis has appealed, and he will likely be able to make his first two starts with the club. Brad Hawpe has been slowed by a sore ankle, but he should be ready to start the season. Josh Fogg beat out Byung Hyun Kim for the fifth spot in the rotation, but he or Jason Hirsh could be supplanted by Brian Lawrence when he's ready to return from injury.
TSN.ca Analysis: The Rockies are another one of the three teams in the division to finish with 76 wins. They boast a solid offence with Todd Helton, Matt Holiday and Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins hitting in the middle of the order. When you add in rookie hopefuls Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta, the Rockies have a chance to have a really special offence. Brian Fuentes returns as the teams' closer and should be able to close out games like he has in 2005 and 2006. The bullpen has improved with the additions of LaTroy Hawkins and Jeremy Affeldt both of whom have closed games before. The starting pitching was solid last season despite being a weakness in the past. The Rockies had the 10th best ERA of all teams in the NL. While that isn't necessarily great - when you consider the park, it's a move in the right direction. Because the division is so competitive it's hard to completely rule the Rockies out.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Projected Lineup
1. Rafael Furcal - SS
2. Juan Pierre - CF
3. Nomar Garciaparra - 1B
4. Jeff Kent - 2B
5. Luis Gonzalez - LF
6. Russell Martin - C
7. Andre Either - RF
8. Wilson Betemit - 3B
Rotation:
1. Derek Lowe - R
2. Randy Wolf - L
3. Jason Schmidt - R
4. Brad Penny - R
5. Brett Tomko - R
Closer:
Takashi Saito - R
Relief:
John Broxton - R
Yhency Brazoban - R

Front Office Lead: Ned Colletti
Manager: Grady Little
Signings/Acquisitions: LF Larry Bigbie (Cardinals), OF Brady Clark (Brewers), LF Luis Gonzalez (Diamondbacks), C Mike Lieberthal (Phillies), RHP Joe Mays (Reds), CF Juan Pierre (Cubs), RHP Rudy Seanez (Padres), RHP Jason Schmidt (Giants), 3B Fernando Tatis (Orioles), RHP Chin-hui Tsao (Rockies), LHP Randy Wolf (Phillies)
Departures: RHP Elmer Dessens (Brewers), RF J.D. Drew (Red Sox), RHP Eric Gagne (Rangers), C Toby Hall (White Sox), CF Kenny Lofton (Rangers), SS Julio Lugo (Red Sox), RHP Greg Maddux (Padres), RHP Aaron Sele (Mets), OF Jason Werth (Phillies)
Dodgers Team Page

Interesting Facts: Even though the Dodgers had a winning record in 2006, none of their hitters had 20 or more home runs.
Takashi Saito led the NL with 2.23 strikeouts per hit last year. Jonathan Broxton was 4th (1.59).

Update: It's been a fairly uneventful camp for the Dodgers with the exception of leadoff man Rafael Furcal's sprained ankle. He's recovering enough that he might start the season with the Dodgers. Reliever Hong-Chih Kuo, who was viewed as a late inning reliever is out four-to-six weeks with a strained a muscle below his shoulder. Brady Clark was a late addition to the roster replacing Jason Repko who is out for the season.
TSN.ca Analysis: General Manager Ned Colletti was forced to overhaul his offence when J.D. Drew opted out of his long term contract. How the overhaul turns out will be interesting to see. After Drew left, the team poured big money into a contract for light hitting speedster Juan Pierre and aging former slugger Luis Gonzalez. The additions have likely pushed prospect Matt Kemp to either the bench or Triple A. While the speed combo of Pierre and Furcal at the top of the lineup could cause opponents trouble, if Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent can't stay healthy the Dodgers could be hard pressed to score runs. While there are questions about hitting, there are none about the pitching. The Dodgers added Jason Schmidt from the rival Giants and could have the best starting pitching in the division. The bullpen works well, led by surprising closer Takashi Saito. Should Saito falter, John Broxton will be waiting in the wings. If the Dodgers offence holds up, they could take the division.

San Diego Padres

Projected Lineup
1. Marcus Giles - 2B
2. Brian Giles - RF
3. Adrian Gonzalez - 1B
4. Josh Bard - C
5. Mike Cameron - CF
6. Khalil Greene - SS
7. Kevin Kouzmanoff - 3B
8. Terrmel Sledge - LF
Rotation:
1. Jake Peavy - R
2. Chris Young - R
4. Clay Hensley - R
4. Greg Maddux - R
5. David Wells - L
Closer:
Trevor Hoffman - R
Relief:
Scott Linebrink - R
Cla Meredith - R

Front Office Lead: Kevin Towers
Manager: Bud Black
Signings/Acquisitions: 2B Marcus Giles (Braves), C Todd Greene (Giants), 3B Kevin Kouzamanoff (Indians), RHP Greg Maddux (Dodgers)
Departures: 2B Josh Barfield (Indians), 2B Mark Bellhorn (Reds), LHP Alan Embree (Athletics), 1B Ryan Klesko (Giants), RHP Chan Ho Park (Mets), C Mike Piazza (Athletics), OF Dave Roberts (Giants), RHP Rudy Seanez (Dodgers), 2B Todd Walker (Athletics), RHP Woody Williams (Astros)
Padres Team Page

Interesting Facts: The Padres projected starting rotation of Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux, Clay Hensley and David Wells boasts 658 career regular season wins; Maddux and Wells account for 563 of those.
Cla Meredith was the toughest NL reliever last season, as he held opponents to a .170 batting average and a .207 on-base percentage - both marks were league-bests.

Update: The Padres are more or less injury free heading into 2007, and received an impressive spring from Clay Hensley who had an ERA of 2.00. David Wells announced that he has diabetes, but he will still take the mound every fifth day. Trevor Hoffman has had a terrible spring, but the Padres bullpen still looks solid. The team released 2B Todd Walker with only days to go before the regular season.
TSN.ca Analysis: When the Padres open 2007 looking to defend their division title, they'll do so with some extra veteran help on their pitching staff. The Padres added 333 career wins to their starting staff this off-season by signing Greg Maddux. When added to impressive youngsters Jake Peavy, Clay Hensley and Chris Young the Padres have the starting arms to stay in most games. They also have a devastating trio of arms to finish off games. Cla Meredith and Scott Linebrink are the seventh and eighth inning men who are responsible for getting the ball to Trevor Hoffman. While pitching shouldn't be the issue, the offence could very well be. The Padres will be hoping that Marcus Giles returns to his offensive form from a few years ago at the top of the order. Even if he does, do the Padres have enough power? Brian Giles is clearly in decline and most of the middle of the lineup power will have to come from the immerging Adrian Gonzalez. With every team in the division having strong pitching, it could be a dog fight for the division title.

San Francisco Giants

Projected Lineup
1. Dave Roberts - CF
2. Omar Vizquel - SS
3. Barry Bonds - LF
4. Ray Durham - 2B
5. Rich Aurilia - 1B
6. Pedro Feliz - 3B
7. Bengie Molina - C
8. Randy Winn - RF
Rotation:
1. Barry Zito - L
2. Matt Cain - R
3. Matt Morris - R
4. Noah Lowry - L
5. Russ Ortiz - R
Closer:
Armando Benitez - R
Relief:
Steve Kline - L
Vinny Chulk - R

Front Office Lead: Brian Sabean
Manager: Bruce Bochy
Signings/Acquisitions:3B Rich Aurillia (Reds), 1B Ryan Klesko (Padres), C Bengie Molina (Blue Jays), RHP Russ Ortiz (Orioles), OF Dave Roberts (Padres), LHP Barry Zito (Athletics)
Departures: LF Moises Alou (Mets), 1B Shea Hillenbrand (Angels), C Mike Matheny (Retired), RHP Tim Worrell (Retired), LHP Mike Stanton (Reds), OF Mike Finley (Option Declined)
Giants Team Page

Interesting Facts: Ray Durham was third in the NL last season with a 1.063 OPS against left-handers.
Matt Cain was fifth in the NL with 8.45 strikeouts per nine innings, but he was also third in walks with 87.

Update: Russ Ortiz took the fifth starters job with an impressive spring, likely sending prospect Jonathan Sanchez into a long relief role, if the club decides to keep him in 'The Show'. Armando Benitez looks to have regained some of his closers swagger and if he stays right, really shore up what is a young bullpen. Barry Bonds has looked healthy so far, and will likely break Hank Aaron's home run record at some point in the summer.
TSN.ca Analysis: After failing to contend for the division last season, the Giants once again didn't try to rebuild their aging team, they just decided to get older. The team added Dave Roberts to the top of order, Rich Aurilia to play first, Ryan Kelsko to be on the bench and of course Barry Bonds. While Roberts is the legitimate leadoff hitter the team has lacked over the last few seasons, overall health has got to be a concern for a team where the average age of their starting fielders is well over 32. Barry Zito and his eight-year contract anchor a staff that has future ace Matt Cain, decent youngster Noah Lowry and veteran Matt Morris. While the four would make an impressive group in another division, in the West, this is probably the third best staff. The Giants also face questions in the bullpen where they hope that Armando Benitez can revert to his 2005 form. For the Giants to contend a lot of things will have to go their way - with that being unlikely, it looks like Bonds' chase for Hank Aaron's home run record will be the focus in the Bay area.