MLB Preview 2009: National League West
Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Giants All Have a Chance to Win Division
Mar 31, 2009
Here is how the three best teams in the NL West will play out in 2009 and why:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
When the Dodgers finally signed OF Manny Ramirez after a silly and prolonged series of back-and-forth offers, they cemented their spot at the top of the NL West. After being traded to Los Angeles in 2008, Ramirez racked up close to an RBI per game and put up a Barry Bonds-like OBP of nearly .500.
The Dodgers already have a sensational young core of everyday players such as outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, catcher Russell Martin and first baseman James Loney.
Ethier caught fire after the Dodgers acquired Ramirez last year, and he should stay hot in 2009 along with all the other hitters who will benefit from having Ramirez in the middle of their lineup.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation is somewhat thin with the injury to Chad Billingsley and former All-Star Jason Schmidt’s inability to resurrect his career.
The Dodgers will rely on their sensational offense to score enough runs to make up for their shaky starting staff.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are not as obvious of a choice to finish in second place in the NL West as some might think. They lost two players to division rivals by way of free agency (2B Orlando Hudson to the Dodgers and LHP Randy Johnson to the Giants), but Arizona still has RHP Brandon Webb and RHP Dan Haren at the top of their rotation.
Young stars SS Stephen Drew and OF Justin Upton will improve in 2009 to make up for any lost offense, and RHP Max Scherzer’s Spring Training performance has the DBacks saying “Randy who?”
3. San Francisco Giants
The Giants could easily finish in second place or even win the NL West if their young position players have breakout seasons in 2009.
San Francisco already has the best pitching staff in baseball with 2008 Cy Young Award winner RHP Tim Lincecum leading LHP Randy Johnson, RHP Matt Cain, LHP Barry Zito and LHP Jonathan Sanchez. They also addressed their bullpen by signing LHP Jeremy Affeldt and RHP Bobby Howry early in the offseason.
Manager Bruce Bochy announced that Emmannuel Burris has won the second base battle over fan favorite Kevin Frandsen. Burris will add speed to the Giants lineup, which will also get a boost in run production from new third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
Sandoval is a free swinger from Venezuela who hit well over .300 in the minors, in last year’s stint in the majors and this season in Spring Training.
If the Giants sneak into the playoffs in 2009, they could become this year’s Tampa Bay Rays because of their starting pitching.
 |
