2014 NL West Preview

With Spring Training over and the season already started, the NL West picture has become much clearer. Two NL West teams, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers, have started their season in Australia and Arizona can't wait to get home after getting drubbed twice.

The NL West sent two teams to the playoffs in 2013, and both teams figure to return. The Giants, division and league champions, look poised for another run at the World Series. The Arizona Diamondbacks got into the playoffs as a wild-card, but they hope to take the division if the Giants falter.

NL Projected Finish

#1 San Francisco Giants (102-60) : The Giants are simply loaded, and barring any injuries will be one of the favorites to win the league and the World Series. The Giants have done an excellent job of developing and maintaining in-organization talent. The likes of Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Chris Davis, Julio Tehran, and Pablo Sandoval form a solid core. The Giants lost Adam Jones, a serious blow, but quickly replaced him with Matt Holliday on a four-year $40.8 million contract. The Giants lost the heart of their bullpen when Mariano Rivera retired, but they made trades to restock their pen with Dave Robertson, John Axford, and Neftali Feliz. Giants management also brought in David Price, and recently traded for Scott Kazmir and  Brian Matusz to soften the blow if Mike Minor's should problems are more serious. Unless disaster strikes the Bay Area, the Giants are the cream of the crop in the NL West and possible the National League.

Could there be an MVP and Cy Young winner in San Francisco?

#2 Arizona Diamondbacks (85-77) : After a disappointing year the Diamondbacks are back to take one more shot at the NL West. Management retained the strength of their team by resisting the urge to trade away Paul Goldschmidt, Carlos Santana, Gio Gonzalez, and Domonic Brown. They added developing slugger Matt Adams in a deal with Houston, and made small free agency moves like re-signing closer Jim Johnson and Ian Kennedy. With their current roster and contract situation, this is probably it for the Diamondbacks before they will need to rebuild. They took a major hit during the spring when Patrick Corbin tore his UCL and ended his season. They might make the playoffs, but if they drag behind the pack look for management to be busy during the trade deadline.

Can Arizona's big three make it back to the playoffs?

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers (81-81) : The Dodgers have moved a few big names out of Los Angeles, mainly Josh Hamilton, but big-money slugger Prince Fielder came back to fill the void. There isn't a whole lot beyond Fielder, but the Dodgers do have a number of high-upside players. Danny Espinosa should be able to bounce back after a terrible 2013 season, and 2B Alexander Guerrero has 20+HR upside even though he may start the season in the minors. The rotation is headlined by Ervin Santana, but beyond him things could be bleak before the 9th inning where the resurgent Fernando Rodney reigns. The Padres could easily pass the Dodgers if they aren't stricken with injuries, but neither team is really built to challenge for the NL West title.

Fielder and Rodney may be the only stars in LA this season.

#4 San Diego Padres (75-87) : At one point during the winter the Padres looked poised to push the Diamondbacks aside and make a run for the wild card, but management went another way and began dismantling the team. What's left is an aging veteran heavy squad with guys like Paul Konerko (38), Bobby Abreu (40), Rafael Furcal (36), and Aramis Ramirez (35). These vets all seem to have just enough in the tank for another go, but it's hard to tell if that 'go' is 162 games or closer to 120. The Padres biggest weakness will be it's pitching staff, outside of the reliable Joe Nathan at closer their rotation is full of high priced reclamation projects. Yovani Gallardo was traded away, Josh Beckett has lost his shine, Johan Santana and Dontrelle Willis are basically on their way out. This roster, nearly maxing the Padres salary, is practically all but gone after 2015 so the Padres should be a huge player in free agency. This season they should put up a fight, but the second half will probably feature a number of minor league call-ups and missed games.

If the Padres can hold a lead into the 9th they should be fine.

#5 Colorado Rockies (70-92) : The Rockies are not in a good place, and don't have many stars to anchor their lineup. The team features depth at every position, but bad contracts are weighing this team down and limited their free agency moves. Troy Tulowitzki and Allen Craig headline this roster, with Tulowitzki making $11.9 million a year, but the contracts of Bronson Arroyo ($14.0 million), Heath Bell ($14.0 million), and Matt Garza ($10.0 million) have sunk their payroll. Luckily for the Rockies all three of those contracts will be gone by 2015, so they should be in better shape soon. Beyond Arroyo and Garza the pitching staff is very thin, with the only bright spot being the hard tossing Rex Brothers who should be their closer of the future.

It could be a long season for the Rockies' stars.

2014 Cactus League Evaluation

Spring Training ended early for the Diamondbacks as they pack their bags for Australia to open the season in a series against the Dodgers. Considering what transpired this spring the Diamondbacks probably can't wait to get the season started.

Most of Arizona's lineup consists of solid veteran players at key positions, so most starters had been decided before spring. Leaders like Paul Goldschmidt, Carlos Santana, and Gio Gonzalez cruised through spring preparations and look to have an excellent season.

Goldschmidt figures to be an MVP candidate

The drama in the desert concerned one key position battle, and a devastating injury that threatens to scuttle Arizona's chances at an NL West title.

Patrick Corbin - The Diamondbacks lost their #2 starter for the season when Corbin was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). This injury ends his season, one that many hoped would show marked improvement from his promising 2013 season. Without Corbin the Diamondbacks are going to rely on Ian Kennedy in the #2 slot, and the pressure will be on Trevor Cahill to show that he is worth bringing back after the season. Things are also looking bad for Jake Arrieta as his ailing shoulder make keep him from starting the season on time, if another starter gets injured the Diamondbacks will have to go to the minors for a replacement.

Losing Corbin is a serious blow to the Arizona rotation

2B/SS Back-Up Competition - With JJ Hardy's contract up at the end of the season and the oft-injured Aaron Hill manning 2B the fight for the 2B/SS back-up position became a heated battle this spring. Didi Gregorious had held this position, but with the spring Chris Owings has had it looks like management is going to give the gig to Owings. Grant Green has also looked good, so Gregorious finds himself on the outside looking in, and he may be completely out of a job by 2015 if Owings and Green take over at SS ans 2B. Rumors are that Gregorious may be traded, but nobody has confirm the rumors.

Owings is starting to look like the SS of the future

Outfield Depth - If the Diamondbacks knew they were going to have a rough spring in the outfield, they probably wouldn't have traded Jayson Werth. Peter Bourjos hasn't wowed anyone, Domonic Brown has been struggling with illness, and back-up Ryan Raburn has been injured. There aren't any minor league players ready to be promoted, so Arizona desperately needs their outfield to get healthy quickly. If Tony Campana is pushed into a starting role they could be in for a long season.

Diamondbacks, Cubs Agree To Deal

With Spring Training under way the Cactus League helped the Diamondbacks and Cubs come together and agree to a seven player deal on Wednesday.

The deal sends RF Jayson Werth and 2B D.J. LeMahieu to Chicago in exchange for a variety of prospects and 2B Brian Roberts. Werth had a very good season in 2013 after a sluggish start, but with the soon-to-be 35 year old's $9.1 million a year contract set to expire it was doubtful that Arizona would resign him. Werth has been on the wrong end of the OF depth chart during the offseason with CF Peter Bourjos and RF Domonic Brown filling his likely positions, this move seems to indicate that management is interested in giving LF Dayan Viciedo the starting job.

The centerpiece of the deal on the Diamondbacks side is SS Luis Sardinas, originally drafted by the Texas rangers, who is ranked as the #76th overall prospect by MLB.com. Sardinas was drafted in the same class as 2B/SS Jurickson Profar, but took slightly longer to develop, he has still impressed scouts and is only 20 years old. If things work out the Diamondbacks could have a solid 2B-SS combo with Chris Owings and Sardinas in the near future.

Is Sardinas the future at SS?

The remaining prospects featured two former Diamondbacks in RHP Jake Barrett and LHP Eury De La Rosa. With Matt Reynolds going down for the season and being released, the Diamondbacks desperately needed RP depth. Barrett had been rated behind fellow hard tossing RHP Matt Stites, but coming into this season most scouts put Barrett above Stites in the closer-of-the-future pecking order. De La Rosa is a poorly rated reliever who seems destined for a LOOGY role, not to say his skills will not be needed.

The final pieces of the deal were former Royals SS Orlando Calixte and comeback-minded 2B Brian Roberts. Calixte was of interest as Arizona looks to build MI depth in it's system, and Roberts was mostly thrown into the deal to balance team salaries ($8.0 million left) and serve as a back-up to the equally injury prone 2B Aaron Hill. Roberts has only managed 192 games in the past four years, with his 17 game 2012 season particularly worrisome, and hasn't been productive since 2009. If Hill suffers another injury setback and 2B Grant Green doesn't live up to expectations Roberts should get the call.

With Arizona's failure to sign an OF in free agency, a move that would have pushed Brown to LF, this looks like a risky move for the 2014 season. An injury to any of their starters would push utility OF Tony Campana or Ryan Raburn (another bloated expiring contract) into the starting lineup. The loss of LeMahieu also complicates this scenario, but it looks like Arizona's GMs are acutely aware that any injuries would scuttle their bid for an NL West title and probably end their season no matter what position is compromised.

Upton Shuns Diamondbacks, Returns To Cardinals

After a very lengthy negotiation process OF Justin Upton has opted to return to St. Louis. Upton, who made his MLB debut at 19, received interested from the Tigers, Brewers, and Diamondbacks before deciding on a four-year $64 million deal. Negotiations between Upton and the Diamondbacks continued for days, and reports are that Arizona had a three year $59.4 million deal on the table with a team option for a fourth. It's unclear if Upton was swayed by the guaranteed money or the legendary Cardinals charm, either way he leaves Diamondbacks fans disappointed.

Can Upton return to elite status?

Upton has been traded a number of times since being drafted by Arizona in 2005. He made his way to the Cardinals in 2012 when the Rays (who had acquired Upton from the Mariners in 2011) sent him to St. Louis in exchange for OF Carlos Gonzalez and 2011 1st round pick SP Tyler Goeddel.

Upton has shown flashes of being a truly elite player by posting 20-20 seasons in 2009 and 2011, but his past few seasons have been disappointing considering his level of talent. After starting the 2013 season with 12HR and a .298 average in the month of April, Upton stumbled and managed only 15HR for the rest of the season and ended with a .278 average after hitting well below .250 through May and June. While 27HR is a good total, it fell far below expectations after his incredible April. Upton also posted a career high in strike outs (161) and his first single digit SB total (8) since his first two years in the league.

Kevin Gregg, Diamondbacks Reach Deal

The Diamondbacks announced the signing of free agent RP Kevin Gregg today, a move that will help shore up their bullpen. Gregg, 35, received little interest on the open market after saving 33 games for Colorado in 2013.

Gregg has agreed to a two-year $1.2 million offer, and many assume he may retire before the end of the deal. Despite saving 177 games since 2007 only the Washington Nationals showed interest in the veteran reliever.

Arizona's GM spoke briefly about the signing on Thursday "We think Kevin [Gregg] is very underrated, and we have a staff full of young pitchers. If anything he's a veteran leader, and we have a proven back-up if Jim [Johnson] is injured."

Gregg is currently behind RP Joakim Soria and David Hernandez on the Diamondbacks depth chart.

Diamondbacks Ink Aaron Hill

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed their third player this offseason by coming to terms with 2B Aaron Hill. Hill has been up and down since having a stellar season in 2009 where he hit 36HR and drove in 108, winning his first Silver Slugger award. He seemed to bounce back in 2012 for the Braves, winning his second Silver Slugger, but injuries plagued his final season in Atlanta where he only played in 87 games.

Can Arizona fans expect 2012 Hill, or a 2013 disappointment?

The second base market this year was poor at best with Hill clearly headlining the group. Players like Mark Ellis (Orioles), Blake DeWitt (Royals), Ronnie Cedeno (Padres), and Clint Barmes (resigned with Padres) received little interest and signed quickly. The only players who received much interest outside of Hill were Omar Infante (Two years $9 million to Cleveland) and Emilio Bonifaco (Two years $7.2 million to the Giants), so Hill was in an excellent position to get the most out of free agency. Hill received interest from the Marlins, Rangers, and Braves, but in the end Atlanta dropped out and Hill agreed to a two-year $13.6 million deal. Hill had previously signed with Atlanta in 2011 for three years and $23.1 million, so Arizona may have landed a bargain.

Diamondbacks management was very happy to add Hill's bat to their lineup "at a position of concern" with DJ LeMahieu and rookie Grant Green currently manning 2B.

Can Green live up to his potential?

"We are excited to have Aaron join our organization, and we believe he has the potential to win a third Silver Slugger her in Phoenix. It's also a great opportunity for some of our younger players to learn under a veteran."

Hill's move to Chase Field should help him recover his award winning form as it has consistently outperformed Turner Field as a hitter's park (MLB Park Factor), especially in HRs.

Arizona Re-Signs Ian Kennedy

The Diamondbacks continued their free agent activity by bringing back Ian Kennedy. Kennedy had received offers from the Giants, Dodgers, Rangers, A's, and Mariners but ultimately decided to return to Arizona. The two parties agreed on a deal worth $13 million over two years that included a team option for a third year that could bring the total to $19.5 million.

Can Kennedy regain his 2011 form?

The 29 year old starting pitcher has spent most of his career in Arizona, and initially it looked like the Diamondbacks were going to let him go. The Arizona GMs spoke briefly about their decision to bring back Kennedy shortly after the deal was announced.

"We were going to let Ian go via free agency, but after we completed our review of our pitching staff we decided we needed him back. Our coaches like Jake [Arrieta] and Lucas [Harrell], but we really needed someone who can toss 180-200 innings and Ian is that guy. He has proven to be durable and we need that consistency to make it to the playoffs."

Kennedy projects to be the Diamondbacks #2 starter behind Gio Gonzalez, and the combination of the two could represent 400+ solid innings. Arizona has also announced the release of RP Sam Demel and RP Juan Gutierrez. The bullpen has become crowded recently with the return of Jim Johnson and the signing of Joakim Soria.