2005 Preview: NL West
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Overall, this is isn't the strongest division in baseball, but I think there are four teams that could challenge for the top spot. In a lot of ways, it's wide open.
With a second surgery on his right knee, Barry Bonds' situation is now up in the air. If he comes back well before the All-Star break and he's ready to go, then the Giants will win the division. If he's gone for longer than that, the Padres could win the National League West.
Strengths: They have a good, balanced lineup. Top to bottom, they can get some production. You've got to like the addition of Moises Alou. He had a career year last season with 39 home runs and has always been an outstanding clutch hitter in RBI situations. J.T. Snow is steady at first base. Jason Schmidt is Cy Young material and Armando Benitez is a proven closer; there's depth in the pitching overall. Felipe Alou is one of the best managers in baseball. Going by past history, the Giants seem to have the upper hand in knowing how to win the division. … A healthy Barry Bonds is always a strength, too.
Weaknesses: Age could be a factor if more injuries take place in the lineup. Not having Bonds for an extended period of time – anything more than three-fourths of the season – would be a huge blow to their playoff hopes.
Outlook: I think the Giants can still score runs without Bonds. They're a veteran team. But it's kind of now or never with this club. If they don't win this year, you're looking at a lot of changes next year. Yeah, the Giants are older but this could be the year when being an older team could be better.
Strengths: They have some good left-handed pop beginning with Brian Giles. Mark Loretta had a great 2004 season and is one of the National League's best second basemen. Shortstop Khalil Greene is one of the better young players in the NL. They have one of the best young pitching staffs in the division, if not in the National League, with Jake Peavy, Brian Lawrence and Adam Eaton, and pitcher-friendly Petco Park will help it. Woody Williams is a solid veteran starter, and Trevor Hoffman still has good enough stuff.
Weaknesses: There are questions about the middle of the order – Can Phil Nevin stay healthy and come back strong? Can Ryan Klesko regain his power? Also, the Padres are just starting to build a winning attitude again. Do they think they can win the division? We'll find out.
Outlook: This team will be very competitive and challenge for the division crown. They've put together a nice team that will enjoy its second season at Petco Park. Manager Bruce Bochy is well-respected and the players like him. He definitely has a vote of confidence from the organization. He's been through the good and the bad, and maybe he's back on the good side. He hasn't had many players the last couple of years. Now he has a chance to win again.
Strengths: They have a pretty good trio of hitters in the middle of the lineup with Luis Gonzalez, Troy Glaus and Shawn Green. New staff ace Javier Vazquez could repeat as an All-Star. Russ Ortiz was a nice signing and is a quality pitcher. Brandon Webb is a good young pitcher with one of the better sinkers in the NL.
Weaknesses: There have been a lot of acquisitions; I wonder if everything will fall into place. Trying to replace Randy Johnson is virtually impossible. Also, the bullpen is fairly inexperienced.
Outlook: The Diamondbacks are going to be a lot more competitive than last year when they lost 111 games. I think they improved themselves just enough to finish in the middle of the division. Offensively, they'll be more exciting.
Strengths:Eric Gagne, who has been bothered by a sprained knee, will be fine. With some familiar names, the starting rotation has some possibilities.
Weaknesses: The Dodgers have to ask themselves whether J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent can really replace the bats of Adrian Beltre, Shawn Green and Steve Finley. Dodger Stadium's extra-fast infield could hurt Kent defensively at second base, too. Up and down the lineup, there's a lack of power – Hee Seop Choi is still trying to figure things out as an every-day player offensively – and there isn't a true ace on the staff, which is odd since the Dodgers are usually built around good starting pitching. Milton Bradley's short temper could be a distraction for the team again.
Outlook: It's hard to say that the Dodgers took steps forward in the offseason when you compare the players who left and the players that have been brought in. I don't think they're going to have the season they had last year when they won the division. A lack of offensive punch and uncharacteristically average starting pitching will give Gagne fewer save opportunities. That'll mean fewer wins than a year ago.
Strengths: The strengths may begin and end with Todd Helton. Hitting in the thin air of Denver is always a good thing, but in this case, I think it favors the opponent. Still, the organization is taking the right course in rebuilding and attempting to develop players.
Weaknesses: The middle of the lineup lacks punch. I wonder if Helton is going to get any pitches to hit all year because he has no protection. He'd be lucky to see a strike to hit every game. There's insufficient pitching as well. With that ballpark, the pitching could be scary.
Outlook: This team is going to get beat up. The fans are going to have to go to the ballpark with a wait-until-next-year frame of mind and enjoy seeing the stars on the visiting teams.
