NL West

I am going to have to admit, I am pretty tired this morning.

Last night was the playoffs of my Team Trivia league, and it was a long night for a Tuesday.

Like the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, we finished in second place and earned a silver medal.

While we didn’t accomplish our ultimate goal of finishing first, I will take solace in the fact that we finished ahead of a team that had a girl who was on Jeopardy! on their squad.

Manny Corpas is a polarizing figure amongst Rockies fans.

I recently posted that I believe the Arizona Diamondbacks will take the NL West with 88-plus wins in 2010.

Well, that wasn’t just a bunch of silly nonsense that I predicted just because I like Justin Upton (even though I do). I truly believe the D’Backs are the team to beat in 2010.

My reasoning? Well, position for position, I think they have more talent.

So let’s indulge ourselves for a little bit. Here are my breakdowns in the NL West in 2010.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a fascinating history, however short it may be.

When they played their inaugural season in 1998, owner Jerry Colangelo had a sole purpose, to win the World Series, and he wanted it soon.

Unlike their fellow expansion team, the Tampa Bay Rays, who were owned by Vince Naimoli and struggled for most of their existence, Colangelo financially supported the team from the beginning and his dedication led them to their eventual championship in the 2001 season.

Eric Surkamp and Aaron King .

Not exactly pitching prospects that jump at you like Madison Bumgarner or Zach Wheeler.

In an article about the Yankees outfield depth beyond their starters , I made the assumption that Marcus Thames was going to make the team and made it seem like the only way Jamie Hoffmann would stick with the team is if the Yankees worked out a trade with the Dodgers to keep the Rule 5 pick.

The popular sentiment of Giants fans these days seems to be this: bench Aaron Rowand and replace him with Andres Torres , who is better suited to hit leadoff than Rowand, the Giants' current candidate.

2009 was a tough year for San Diego Padres fans, starting with getting used to not watching the all-time save leader Trevor Hoffman close out games and then their ace, Jake Peavy, was sent to the Chicago White Sox midseason. 

The release of the longest tenured general manager in MLB would follow, as Kevin Towers made way for 36-year-old Jed Hoyer, former assistant GM of the Boston Red Sox.  The question becomes will the Padres blend together quickly enough to compete in the National League West this year? 

Compared to teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox the Rockies really do not have what anyone would call a storied history.

Last year was a great year for some top Giants prospects.