NL West

After keeping the core of their championship team together by re-signing free agents Jeremy Affeldt, Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro, the latest rumors pertaining to the San Francisco Giants mostly surround the periphery of the roster.

Earlier this offseason, when the San Francisco Giants re-signed reliever Jeremy Affeldt to a three-year, $18 million contract, I argued that the club overpaid to retain the 33-year-old lefty.

It's October 9, and you're watching the pregame show for Game 3 of the 2012 NLDS. If you're a Giants fan, you probably don't know why you're watching.

Right? Right.

Before a hamstring injury shortened his 2012 season, Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was putting up MVP-caliber numbers.

The 27-year-old finished among the National League's top 10 batters in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging and OPS this year. Had he not been limited to 132 games, perhaps Gonzalez's home run and RBI numbers would have ranked him among the top in the league as well. 

The Colorado Rockies are looking for relief help in their overworked bullpen going forward in 2013 and have taken a low-risk chance on pitcher Mike McClendon that could pay dividends.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made tremendous moves in the past 12 months and have changed the face of the franchise since the coming of the new Magic Johnson-led ownership.

Their new billion-dollar TV deal and matched spending habits have led many, including myself, to call them the “West Coast Yankees.” 

As recently as 2008, the National League West was considered a sub-par division and filled with mediocre teams barely breaking the .500 mark.  

In 2005, for instance, the Giants, Dodgers, Rockies and Diamondbacks all finished the season with losing records, while the San Diego Padres won the division with a mere 82-80 mark.

Mediocrity aside, 2013 looks to be an exciting year for the National League West and its fans.  

The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping they can turn back the clock on veteran outfielder Cody Ross, and why not?

Ross has been a journeyman for the past decade, but he has rarely let his teammates or fans down on or off the field since breaking into the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers in 2003.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a 2013 Opening Day payroll that is already over $200 million, so it should come as no surprise that their roster is littered with All-Star talent. With 11 players who have previously made at least one appearance in the Midsummer Classic, the Dodgers should lead the National League in All-Stars next season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed outfielder Cody Ross to a three-year agreement, according to the Twitter feed of New York Daily News writer Mark Feinsand.

League source: Cody Ross has reached agreement with Diamondbacks on a three-year deal.