NL West Preview

Saving the NL Central for last because it's the most important one of the six divisions.  So we move on to the NL West where it should be an interesting year.  

1. Colorado Rockies- KEY ACQ: Miller Brewing Company (seriously they kept most of their team, nothing new) I LIKE: Jorge De La Rosa- It's crazy to think how bad he was with the Brewers and average at best with the Royals, I think he could be a big contributor to the Roxs.  I HATE: Huston Street- Sort of an obvious one, but he is already hurt proving why it never pays to bring in a closer.  PREDICTION: Amazed to hear that Buster Olney picked them to win it all, but I think they could make a deep run with some of the talent they have this season.

2. San Francisco Giants- KEY ACQ: 1B Aubry Huff  3B Mark DeRosa  SP Todd Wellenmeyer I LIKE: Pablo Sandoval- I think Kung Fu Panda keeps getting better and eases the Giants' mind on their offensive woes.  I HATE: Barry Zito- Are we convinced that he is a different player now? I mean he still throws so slow and unless he becomes like Jamie Moyer, I don't see him being very effective. PREDICTION: They will fight all year for the NL West title and if Jonathan Sanchez/Wellenmeyer come through they could have a huge year. Also they need runs from the middle of their order.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers- KEY ACQ: Jamie McCourt's defense lawyer I LIKE: Clayton Kershaw- Another great young player that will be growing within the years and I believe will probably be their best pitcher this year. I HATE: Manny Ramirez- I could see him being a huge problem for the Dodgers as they struggle and wouldn't be shocked if he gets shipped out in July.  PREDICTION: The divorce of the owner and CEO sent this team for a tailspin leading to no new free agents. In addition, Vincente Padilla as your Opening Day starter is never a good idea.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks- KEY ACQ: 1B Adam LaRoche 2B Kelly Johnson SP Edwin Jackson SP Ian Kennedy SP Rodrigo Lopez  I LIKE: Justin Upton- I know it's a sexy pick but he is a man. I love the things he can do with his bat and hopefully he for average more. I HATE: New pitcher 1, 2, or 3- You cannot tell me that all three of those guys will work out for the Dbacks, I see much change in their rotation. PREDICTION: If Brandon Webb stays healthy, they become a better team by probably 7-10 wins but they will need the bottom half of the rotation to go against my opinion if they want to move higher than fourth best.

5. San Diego Padres- KEY ACQ: SP Jon Garland I LIKE: Clayton Richard- A big part of the Peavy deal who I think can flourish in the upcoming season. He will be a vital asset for the Fathers. I HATE: Chase Headley- Not so much him as a player rather where he is batting. There are maybe three teams if that where he is a clean-up hitter.  PREDICTION: I really think they have a young group that could do some things but I am willing to bet they trade Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell by the deadline so that will hurt their second half numbers severely.

-Charlie.

Pirates is Just Giving Up Their Roster

Maybe I was wrong when I wrote yesterday that the Pittsburgh Pirates came out a winner yesterday in the trade that brought five new prospects for only Jack Wilson. Now they have traded away their final cornerstone in Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants for prospect Tim Alderson who is rated fourth in the Giants farm system.

I really cant explain to Pirate fans whats going on with their franchise. I mean they have made four deals already this off-season and there is still a day left before the deadline so who knows what will happen. If I was Pittsburgh, I would announce that this is the last year for trades and we are going to put full faith in John Russell to see what happens with what we have. Almost comparable to the Baltimore Orioles who brought in a lot of prospects and then said we are done... No way is Nick Markakis, Luke Scott, or Adam Jones is getting traded. That has to become Pittsburgh's attitude for the next three years.

As for San Francisco, they get a lead off bat or two hitter which they desperately need. They still havent answered the questions about power hitting at all. They should try to go after the suddenly red hot Josh Willingham of the Nationals or some spark in the three through five. I dont know if this is something that will put the Giants over the top in the National League Wild Card race.

-Charlie.

Big Unit Gets 300

Randy Johnson, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants and still the proud owner of the greatest sports mullet of the 1990s received the top pitching milestone of winning three hundred games at the ripe age of forty-five.

I think when I think of my first memories of baseball besides the Milwaukee Brewers, Randy Johnson is right up there. I love the Seattle Mariner teams when it featured him, Alex Rodriguez, and Ken Griffey Jr. He was such an imposing figure back then with that aforementioned mullet and his towering height of 6'9. I think there will never be a guy who has a better fastball-slider combination where he was practically unhittable throughout the late 90s and early 2000s.

Many people believe that there will never be another 300 game winner ever in Major League Baseball due to way pitching is structured these days. I somewhat agree but I feel thats a strong statement because who knows what kind of phenom might come about or a guy like CC Sabathina/Roy Halladay, both complete game machines might be able to pitch until late 30s, early 40s.

-Charlie.