Strange currents of economy, ownership, and agents are creating an interesting year for 2009. The National League West is highly impacted by a shaky economy and changing ownerships.
Jeff Moorad leaving the D-backs to be the new owner of the Padres is a change of strategy for both franchises. Dodger owner Frank McCourt’s comments recently revealed his heavy hand in GM Ned Colletti’s choices of players, relieving Neddy of some of the blame.
But fear of the future economy is affecting the power structure of the N.L.West. The Padres, Rockies, and D-backs seem to have forgotten their wallets as the bill for contending comes ‘round.
There is a lot of backing up in quality for these three teams. AZ lets the O-Dog go and replaces him at a great savings; then Randy Johnson moves to the Giants replaced by John Garland-which can be justified by going younger and less of an injury risk (at the expense of the fear factor of facing Nasty Randy).
The Dodgers spent money on Manny, Furcal, Casey, Hudson, but saved money with the departure of Lowe and Penny and Saito from their pitching staff. And pitching should decide the N.L. West.
The Dodgers are credited with the best lineup. But the Dodgers' claim to Fame has been pitching, so 2009 is a role reversal for them.
Considering only top one-two starters; it is possible (if the Rockies top two starters come out strong) the Dodgers could be rated last in the division, by All-Star time.
NL West Starting Staffs
BEST ONE-TWO STARTERS NL West: 1) Giants Lincecum and Cain 2)Padres Peavey and a rehabilitated Young are tied with D-Backs Webb and Haren 4)Dodgers Billingsley and Kuroda, 5)Rockies Cook and Ubaldo.
The Giants have a strong one-through rotation for 2009. Not including the injured Lowry who could make an appearance as a replacement or even as a trade for a much needed bat. Cy Young winner Lincecum, Cain, Johnson, Sanchez, Zito, mean. a lot of shutouts and quality starts.
The Diamondbacks Also have an elite one-twp punch in Webb and Haren. Add in Garland as No. 3, Doug Davis a solid No. 4 and ‘about–to-make-a-big-impact’ Max Scherzer and AZ could be the “Best in the West” pitching staff.
The Dodgers over all starting staff is stronger than San Diego but cannot equal the one-two of Peavey and Chris Young.
Billingsley is still a question mark after his ankle fracture. Wolf and Kuroda are upper level journeymen with excellent games interspersed with lesser efforts. Kershaw could have a breakout year and impact the division but that is a lot of pressure for a very young and talented pitcher.
The rest of the staff up to closer Broxton looks weaker than last year. McDonald will begin the year at No. 5 as the other candidates are being kept away from sharp objects.
The Rockies have Cook, Marquis, Jimenez, and Ubaldo-with Francis injured. When Holliday was traded a little air went out of the balloon. Marquis, Street and Smith don’t appear to be enough of an addition to the team to carry playoff hopes.
San Diego has a new owner and this could mean a new strategy for the Padres. Hopefully the team will be constructed not further de-structed. If the current plans are continued, Peavy and Young will be mercifully traded.
When the Dodgers announced the signing of Manny Ramirez, many fans and writers handed them the divisional title.
Dodgers can score runs, the Giants weak-hitting line-up won’t score a lot, the ownership change and scoring malaise will sink AZ, Rockies and Padres scuttled by economics; sounds like a formula for Dodger success.
But momentum is everything in Baseball and particularly in this strange year. Great pitching can carry a team until the hitters catch fire. This season, four of the five teams in this division have a pitching staff that could be incendiary.
Either the Giants or the D-Backs could start hitting at the beginning of the season and behind excellent pitching and be the surprise team of 2009. A great pitching staff creates possibility.
My Picks for NL West
1) Dodgers
2) D-Backs
3)Giants
4)Rockies
5)Padres
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