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2009 MLB National League West - 09 Season Preview
Arizona Diamondbacks
2008 Record: 82-80
Pythagorean W/L: 82-80
Key Additions
Jon Garland, RHP
Felipe Lopez, INF
Scott, Schoenweis, LHP
Key Losses
Adam Dunn, OF/1b
Orlando Hudson, 2b
Juan Cruz, RHP*
Randy Johnson, LHP
David Eckstein, 2b/SS
Brandon Lyon, RHP
The Diamondbacks have a ton of potential. With Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Jon Garland in a weak division, and in an increasingly less steroid-driven league, the Diamondbacks could be set up well for the future.
After trading for Adam Dunn in 2008, the D’backs lost out on their first round compensation for Dunn when Dunn signed with the Nationals, who have the first overall pick. The D’backs will receive a pick in the compensatory round and also the Nats second-round pick.
Orlando Hudson was a pretty big loss, as Hudson is among the upper echelon of second basemen in baseball. What is bigger is that as a result of the global economy, Hudson actually signed for less money than his replacement Felipe Lopez. Lopez isn’t an awful downgrade from Hudson, but the D’Backs would probably have kept the former had they known his final price.
Juan Cruz, also a victim of the economy, remains a free agent as this is written. Cruz is a type A free agent, and any team signing him would have to give up either a first or second round pick in exchange, depending on their draft position.
With a starting rotation entering its prime, and a solid core of young, promising offensive players, the D’Backs figure to be one of the league’s risers in the near future.
Prediction: 84-78
Colorado Rockies
2008 Record: 74-88
Pythagorean W/L: 74-88
Key Additions
Huston Street, RHP
Alan Embree, LHP
Carlos Gonzalez, CF
Jason Marquis, RHP
Greg Smith, LHP
Key Losses
Livan Hernandez, RHP*
Brian Fuentes, LHP
Matt Holliday, OF
Jayson Nix, 2b
Cory Sullivan, CF
Willy Tavarez, OF
Luis Vizcaino, RHP
The Rockies offseason was one of huge losses and respectable gains. The Rocks traded former MVP Matt Holliday to Oakland, but got decent return netting Huston Street, Carlos Gonzalez, and Greg Smith.
In another savvy move, the team picked up Jason Marquis for Luis Viscaino, a move done more for economic purposes on the Chicago Cubs end.
Then came the bad news, it appears that ace Jeff Francis will miss the entire 2009 season. The lefty has a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.
Brian Fuentes, the team’s long-time closer, ended up signing with the Angels. The move, in this economy, was not a bad one for the Rockies, who will get draft pick compensation as a result.
Prediction: 74-88
Los Angeles Dodgers
2008 Record: 84-78
Pythagorean W/L: 87-75
Key Additions
Brad Ausmus, C
Mark Loretta, INF
Guillermo Mota, RHP
Claudio Vargas, RHP
Randy Wolf, LHP
Key Losses
Joe Beimel, LHP*
Gary Bennett, C
Angel Berroa, SS
Nomar Garciaparra, INF
Mark Sweeney, INF
Andruw Jones, OF
Chan Ho Park, RHP
Jeff Kent, 2b
Derek Lowe, RHP
Greg Maddux, RHP
Brad Penny, RHP
Scott Proctor, RHP
Takashi Saito, RHP
The Dodgers missed out on Mark Teixera, CC Sabathia, and all but one big named free agent. That free agent, of course, was Manny Ramirez. Ramirez was the story off the offseason, and is back on a near-perfect contract for both sides involved.
Ramirez contract, a result of the poor economy, allows the Dodgers to part ways with Ramirez if he’s ineffective as he nears his 40’s. It also allows Ramirez to opt out of the contract if the economy turns around and he is more valuable on the free agent market.
The team had a disastrous split with Andruw Jones. The ahem – plump outfielder left, and will be paid by the Dodgers for some time, as deferred money became Ned Coletti’s signature contract clause this offseason.
With Greg Maddux and Jeff Kent retiring, the team lost two valuable veteran leaders. Two of few players who could perhaps police Ramirez.
Losing Brad Penny and Garciaparra rids the Dodgers roster of two very talented players, but players who have had serious injury problems in recent years.
Derek Lowe’s move to Atlanta will hurt the Dodgers, and at the price tag Lowe went for would have made a decent value selection.
The NL West has been a pretty tight division in recent years, with 2.5 games combined separating the top two teams in the division in the past three seasons. This season could be different. The rest of the division got worse, and at the least the Dodgers got healthier.
Prediction: 91-71
San Diego Padres
2008 Record: 63-99
Pythagorean W/L: 68-84
Key Additions
Henry Blanco, C
David Eckstein, 2b/SS
Jae-Kuk Ryu, RHP
Key Losses
Charlie Haeger, RHP*
Josh Bard, C
Khalil Greene, SS
Trevor Hoffman, RHP
Perhaps the Padre’s most significant offseason move was one they didn’t make. For a good part of the offseason it appeared that a Jake Peavy trade was imminent. Peavy, instead, will likely be the Pad’s opening day starter.
If Mark Prior can return to the mound at a shell of his former self, he could provide much needed help behind Peavy in the Padres rotation.
Luis Rodriguez will be a decent replacement for Greene, barring a Peavy trade that could bring a better replacement to San Diego. Yunel Escobar was a centerpiece to a potential Padres-Braves trade that would have sent Peavy to Atlanta.
In a rough economy the Padres are committed to cutting payroll, and will probably continue to struggle in 2009.
Prediction: 58-104
San Francisco Giants
2008 Record: 72-90
Pythagorean W/L: 68-94
Key Additions
Jeremy Affeldt, LHP
Bob Howry, RHP
Randy Johnson, LHP
Edgar Renteria, SS
Key Losses
Rich Aurilia, 1b
Tyler Walker, RHP
The Giants are perhaps the biggest sleeper this offseason. Savvy acquisitions of low-risk high-reward pitchers as well as steady veterans like Randy Johnson and Edgar Renteria could allow the Giants to compete well into August.
Jeremy Affeldt wants to start, and if he were to make the rotation the Giants would have five very different arms to throw at opposing ballclubs. With Johnson, Affeldt, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and 2008 Cy Young Award Winner Tim Lincecum the team’s rotation has potential to be among the best in baseball.
The Giants, perhaps more than any other team with a somewhat veteran roster, have the most room for improvement. From former Cy Young award winner Barry Zito to former All-Star Aaron Rowand, the team could see some of their former stars return to form and have a strong showing in 2009.
Prediction: 88-74
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