Breakdown of the NL West Division in 2010

The NL West gets no respect from the media. The NL West is widely considered to have lesser talented teams than the NL Central and NL East. It is conveniently forgotten that the last two years the Dodgers represented the NL along with Philadelphia in the National League Championship Series. In 2007 the Rockies beat the Diamondbacks in an all NL West NLCS. So the NL West being a subpar division is, in my opinion false.

With that said, here is a breakdown (with predictions) of the 2010 NL West Division.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Bad plate discipline, inexperience, and injuries caused this team to flounder last year. Fortunately, for Arizona fans this year is a fresh start. The starting rotation received a huge boost by acquiring Edwin Jackson, together with Dan Haren should give the D-backs a fine one-two. Unfortunately, Brandon Webb will be lucky to start 20 games this year due to a nagging injury that cost him most of last year. The bullpen is above average with newly acquired Aaron Heilman, veteran Bob Howry, and closer Chad Qualls. Arizona will win games based on their offense and young five tool players all around, including Stephen Drew, Juston Upton, Mark Reynolds and Chris Young. Throw in new first baseman Adam LaRoche and ex Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson and you have a team that can score in bunches. The weakness of this team is defense and the likely possibility that the D-Backs could lead all teams in K's due to their aggressive mentality at the plate.

Prediction: Record: 86-76 Good enough for 3^rd place

Player to watch: Justin Upton

Colorado Rockies

Ex-Dodger coach Jim Tracy's club has some work to do this year. Their act of falling behind and then piling on a winning streak at the end of the season will not work every year. They need to be more consistent, and that is what Jim Tracy needs to teach this young ball club. The Colorado pitching staff found an ace in Ubaldo Jimenez, lost a 15 game winner in Jason Marquis, but gained past staff ace Jeff Francis back from injury. The pitching staff is not good enough to make up for the Coors field disadvantage, and Ubaldo is the only hard throwing, ground-ball pitcher they have, whom by the way is the perfect type of pitcher for Coors field. Defense never seems to matter in Colorado so the offense has to be potent, and outside of Troy Tulowitski, no other Rockies player hit more than 23 home runs. The Rockies still have a professional hitter in Todd Helton, and an underrated Brad Hawpe, but hopefully young outfielders Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez can provide some offensive help. Once again the Rockies will be runner-up.

Prediction: Record: 88-74; 2nd in the West

Player to watch: OF Carlos Gonzalez

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are the best team in the underrated West division. Los Angeles is the most balanced team by far, with a good rotation featuring young stars Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley. Opening Day starter Vicente Padilla is a tough minded pitcher, and I look for veteran Ramon Ortiz to win the fifth spot with a sparkling preseason. The rotation is backed by a fantastic bullpen, and one of the league’s best setup men and closer combination in George Sherrill and Jonathon Broxton. The defense is well above average with Kemp, Loney and Furcal leading the way. The offense can beat you in many ways, Matt Kemp is on the verge of superstardom, and Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez are feared hitters. The key is the progression of James Loney, he has 13 home runs and 90 RBI's in each of the last two seasons, and the Dodgers will need these numbers to improve. The team has great energy and professionalism, and it is all a testament to Joe Torre's coaching and the leadership he brings to this ball club.

Prediction: Record: 96-66    1^st in the West

Player to watch: 1B James Loney

San Diego Padres

The fact that the Padres won 75 games last season was a miracle. The Padres have some nice young players, 3B Chase Headley, OF Kyle Blanks, and the prize of the Jake Peavy deal, SP Aaron Poreda. But it looks like the rebuilding process will take three or four years. Moreover, San Diego may very well trade star closer Heath Bell and (Padres fans should look away) they may need to trade star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Speaking of Gonzalez, he led the Padres in batting average, home runs, runs batted in, walks, hits and every other offensive stat that matters. Padres fans should embrace this young team and watch them grow. Unfortunately, this team will start at the bottom, but not for lack of effort.

Prediction: Record: 68- 94; Last in the Division

Player to watch: Kyle Blanks

San Francisco Giants

The Giants are a team that has absolutely no plan for the future. With solid young players like Pablo Sandoval, Nate Shurholtz and Tim Lincecum, the front office has chosen to sign older players like Aaron Rowand, Edgar Renteria, Randy Winn and Aubrey Huff who offer only temporary relief. The Giants signed Tim Lincecum in the off season to a two year deal. Why?! The Giants should have locked him down for 8 years and watch him collect another 4 Cy Young awards in the process. The Giants were the worst power hitting team in the majors based on talent. The Giant’s clean-up hitter (Bengie Molina) had only 20 homeruns last year with 80 RBI, for a clean-up hitter that was atrocious. Once again the Giants will need to rely on their rotation of Lincecum, Matt Cain and Barry Zito. On name brand alone this is a scary trio, but Zito hasn't been himself in years and Cain is still inconsistent.

Prediction: Record: 79-83 which lands the Giants in 4^th place.

Player to watch: 3B Pablo Sandoval