Sunday, March 12, 2006
NL West Predictions:
1. Giants- A bolstered bench(added Jose Vizcaino, Mark Sweeney), and an improved rotation(welcome Matt Morris) are two major reasons to like San Francisco going into the new season. But the biggest reason to like the G-men(both literally and figuratively) wears number 25, swings lefty, and is only 47 HR away from being the all time leader. Adding a typical year of Barry Bonds production to the lineup would provide a huge lift and propel the Giants to the division title. Assuming of course he's not too distracted by the piles of needles he leaves in his wake.
Do I look like I'm on steroids? Wait, don't answer that.
2. Dodgers- The Dodgers have undergone an infield overhaul adding SS Rafael Furcal, 3B Bill Mueller and 1B Nomar Garciaparra(yes, that's right, he's playing 1B) to returnee Jeff Kent at 2B. These additions along with the terrific Dodger pitching have the folks in LALA land thinking division title. Personally I don't think the Dodgers have added enough offense to win it this year, but they will come close.
3. Rockies- Slowly but surely this team is turning into something interesting. After several seasons of last place finishes, opposing team's offensive explosions, and just general malaise; it appears Rockie fans will finally have something to cheer about. The nucleas of this team, SS Clint Barmes (27), 3B Garrett Atkins (26), RF Brad Hawpe (26), 2B Luis Gonzalez (26) and LF Matt Holliday (26) is the youngest in the division. The best player and senior member of the squad 1B Todd Helton is only 32 and remains one of the top hitters in baseball. Assuming everyone on this team makes the right amount of age appropriate improvement, this team may be the best in the division next year. For now they'll settle for a winning record.
4. Padres- The Padres on the other hand are going in the other direction. The traded 20 somethings Xavier Nady and Sean Burroughs in the off season; and brought in 3B Vinny Castilla (38) and CF Mike Cameron (33). That leaves Khalil Greene (26) as the only Padre regular below the age of 30. On the plus side the Padres do have Jake Peavy, who is the best pitcher in baseball that you've probably never heard of.
Geez, I only led the NL in strikeouts last year!
5. Diamondbacks-Remember when this team had Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling and won a World Series? Now they have Russ Ortiz, Javier Vasquez, and 25 games out in their sights, ouch. In addition, they traded their only real power hitter Troy Glaus this offseason for a collection of not much, so the offense shall suffer as well. On the plus side the D-backs did acquire catcher Johnny Estrada from the Braves, whose name lends itself nicely to a number of humorous C.Hi.P. S. references.
Get a hit, Ponch!
Do I look like I'm on steroids? Wait, don't answer that.
2. Dodgers- The Dodgers have undergone an infield overhaul adding SS Rafael Furcal, 3B Bill Mueller and 1B Nomar Garciaparra(yes, that's right, he's playing 1B) to returnee Jeff Kent at 2B. These additions along with the terrific Dodger pitching have the folks in LALA land thinking division title. Personally I don't think the Dodgers have added enough offense to win it this year, but they will come close.
3. Rockies- Slowly but surely this team is turning into something interesting. After several seasons of last place finishes, opposing team's offensive explosions, and just general malaise; it appears Rockie fans will finally have something to cheer about. The nucleas of this team, SS Clint Barmes (27), 3B Garrett Atkins (26), RF Brad Hawpe (26), 2B Luis Gonzalez (26) and LF Matt Holliday (26) is the youngest in the division. The best player and senior member of the squad 1B Todd Helton is only 32 and remains one of the top hitters in baseball. Assuming everyone on this team makes the right amount of age appropriate improvement, this team may be the best in the division next year. For now they'll settle for a winning record.
4. Padres- The Padres on the other hand are going in the other direction. The traded 20 somethings Xavier Nady and Sean Burroughs in the off season; and brought in 3B Vinny Castilla (38) and CF Mike Cameron (33). That leaves Khalil Greene (26) as the only Padre regular below the age of 30. On the plus side the Padres do have Jake Peavy, who is the best pitcher in baseball that you've probably never heard of.
Geez, I only led the NL in strikeouts last year!5. Diamondbacks-Remember when this team had Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling and won a World Series? Now they have Russ Ortiz, Javier Vasquez, and 25 games out in their sights, ouch. In addition, they traded their only real power hitter Troy Glaus this offseason for a collection of not much, so the offense shall suffer as well. On the plus side the D-backs did acquire catcher Johnny Estrada from the Braves, whose name lends itself nicely to a number of humorous C.Hi.P. S. references.
Get a hit, Ponch!
