NL West

The Colorado Rockies have played baseball for 18 seasons.

When Trevor Hoffman announced his retirement yesterday, immediate talk about his Hall of Fame candidacy, his 601 saves, and his reputation as a great Padre surfaced. I do consider him worthy of the hall of fame as he, along with Mariano Rivera and Billy Wagner, were the most effective closers who did it for the longest time. But it seems as if they’re a dying breed.

As Trevor Hoffman joins Billy Wagner in riding off into the sunset, the MLB is arguably down to just one great, longtime closer.

Perusing the internet as I do, I came across the latest piece by Sports Illustrated‘s Tom Verducci, which was a very interesting read.

The best-selling author discussed young pitchers in the major leagues and claimed many have been overworked by their teams.

The Mannywood era of Dodger baseball came to a close in 2010. Now that the slugger has moved on from the City of Angels, the hunt is on to replace him.

Dipping below 700 total runs scored in 2010 for the first time since 2005, the Dodgers need to improve their offense if they plan on climbing to the top of the National League West once again. Even with Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, they were a team that was 27th in baseball in home runs at 120 and 24th in RBI at 621.

Instead of hanging on for one more season, Major League Baseball’s all-time saves leader has decided to retire.

When the offseason began (and Jazz Hands Uribe bolted for a multi-year deal in LA), talk trended towards the San Francisco Giants going after Tampa Bay SS Jason Bartlett, Minnesota SS JJ Hardy or free-agent Miguel Tejada.

If in 2006, you told the New York Mets that they held two of the future's top closers in their grasp in Heath Bell and Billy Wagner, they would have questioned your sanity.

The Texas Rangers made headlines recently with the signing of Adrian Beltre. The next question they have to answer is concerning their former third baseman, Michael Young.

Young is not new to big league position changes, however. He's had time at all infield positions besides first base, although it's been some time since he's had to consider a switch. In 2008 he spent time at SS, and back in 2003 Michael Young was primarily a second baseman.

On Wednesday, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced the 2011 class of Hall of Famers.

On the first Thursday of every month, Arizona Diamondbacks CEO/President Derrick Hall took time out of his busy day to attend an online chat where he discussed the team and what fans should expect during the 2011 season.

Questions to the chief executive once again centered around the roster and the moves the team has made since finishing last in the National League West for two consecutive seasons.

Hall was very enthusiastic about the moves General Manager Kevin Towers has made this offseason.