Predicting the NL West with 10 key questions
Opening Day is lower than a month away. That’s so quickly! Every 12 months, we preview a distinct division each two weeks main as much as the beginning of the season.
Today, we proceed with the National League West, which simply went via the largest transition we’ve seen on this division in almost a decade. Not on the high of the standings, although, because the Dodgers gained the West for the ninth time within the final 10 seasons. But the Padres, ultimately, obtained the most effective of their Southern California rivals within the NLDS final season, and after the comparatively idle Dodgers offseason, there’s a sense that this division could possibly be had — and perhaps not simply by the Padres. After all, the Giants gained the division in 2021, and the D-backs are on the rise.
So, let’s proceed our previews with the NL West. Teams are listed in alphabetical order by nickname up high, with my standings prediction under.
1) Is Corbin Carroll already an MVP candidate?
Admittedly, that may be pushing it a bit. But there’s no query having a phenom like Corbin Carroll — who regarded like far and away the most effective participant on this workforce from the minute he arrived within the Majors late final season — round every single day will begin to encourage you to dream huge. After years of constructing and rebuilding, the Arizona Diamondbacks added Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Evan Longoria, Andrew Chafin and thrilling younger catcher Gabriel Moreno this offseason. It’s unimaginable to not join these additions and the optimism of how significantly better the D-backs have been when Carroll arrived. If the D-backs are going to make a push, it’ll be behind Carroll, who on the very least is an early Rookie of the Year candidate.
2) Is this the 12 months to push?
The D-backs are broadly believed to have one of the gifted farm techniques in baseball, with Jordan Lawlar and Druw Jones (and Carroll) headlining a bunch that additionally consists of Brandon Pfaadt, Deyvison De Los Santos, Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson. That’s not even accounting for Jake McCarthy, Geraldo Perdomo and Alek Thomas, all of whom are 25 or youthful. This lineup could possibly be stacked in a 12 months or two. So, do the D-backs simply see the way it goes with the younger guys this 12 months, type of pulling an Orioles if you’ll, or do they push for a playoff spot? If the D-backs are close to a Wild Card spot in July, will they be extra aggressive with prospects? Or commerce some? Or simply sit tight? With the way in which issues have gone in Arizona the previous couple of years … these could be terrific inquiries to even have the chance to ask.
1) Did they overlook they have been the Dodgers this offseason?
Logically talking, you possibly can completely perceive why the Dodgers didn’t go huge this offseason. They’re attempting to reset the posh tax — get below it now to allow them to spend extra sooner or later — and there’s a sure pitcher over in Anaheim (who it seems can even hit slightly) that they’d presumably like to make a run at subsequent offseason. But the timing — letting key gamers equivalent to Trea Turner and Justin Turner stroll proper after dropping to the Padres within the playoffs — didn’t look nice. The Dodgers are trusting their farm system to fill in any remaining gaps, which is a method that has labored out properly for them up to now. But if there are any blips, properly, this fanbase is slightly grumbly after how final season ended and the quiet offseason that adopted.
2) Is this season a failure in the event that they don’t win the World Series?
This is completely not a good query as a result of the Dodgers simply gained the World Series two seasons in the past. But, honest or not, they are going to perpetually be haunted by the “Well, you only won the World Series in the COVID-19 year” line till they get their proverbial monkey off their proverbial again. Even in case you assume it was really more durable to win throughout the COVID-19 12 months — and I do assume that — there’s simply one thing to profitable a World Series in a constructing at full capability. The Dodgers have been the most effective workforce in baseball for the final decade, however it is a postseason sport now. Until the Dodgers win two — you understand, just like the Astros have — that is going to be a proven fact that pesters them every single day, each week and each month of yearly.
1) Are they recovered from the Correa affair?
In an excellent world, the Giants would have felt slightly aid from the warmth that was placed on them for not going via with the Carlos Correa signing after the Mets ended up backing out of their very own take care of Correa for a similar causes the Giants did. History will finally present whether or not or not the Giants have been appropriate in having medical issues with Correa, however the issue the Giants had final 12 months, alas, nonetheless stays: They are a workforce constructed to have a celebrity on the heart however don’t, in truth, have a celebrity on the heart. They thought it may be Aaron Judge. Then, they thought it was Correa. Who will it find yourself being? Will there ever even be one?
2) Is this pitching higher than anybody realizes?
The Giants’ lineup is strong even with out Correa — that Michael Conforto signing seems extremely savvy — however the true pleasure may be within the rotation. Logan Webb and Alex Cobb have been a wonderful 1-2, and the Giants have seen what Alex Wood can do as properly. But it’s the additions which are intriguing. Ross Stripling appears an ideal match for this group, however the true pleasure this spring has been Sean Manaea, who has proven a noticeable uptick in velocity in his appearances to date. There is motive to consider that is essentially the most steady rotation within the division. Add a veteran bullpen to the combo, and, properly, you shouldn’t count on the Giants to win 100 video games or something, however they type of seem like the kind of workforce that can sneak up on you this 12 months like they did in 2021.
1) How does this rotation find yourself trying?
Remember when the large query in regards to the Padres’ rotation was which arm was going to be the most effective Cy Young contender? The Padres have six potential starters, however all are over 30 and none are prone to be included in a majority of Cy Young brief lists. The Padres clearly consider in Yu Darvish (who they only signed to a contract extension) and Joe Musgrove, however you couldn’t assist however discover that the current Michael Wacha signing reeked of a company that may be a little anxious about getting sufficient innings from its employees. This workforce has a stacked lineup, but when your pitching falls aside (and Musgrove is already coping with a damaged toe that can trigger him to overlook time), not even this workforce will hit sufficient.
2) Is this the most effective lineup in baseball?
If Juan Soto is the Juan Soto of two years in the past … it needs to be, doesn’t it? Soto, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Fernando Tatis Jr. when he returns from suspension in April. There shouldn’t be a greater quartet in baseball, proper? And there may be additionally intrigue additional down the lineup. Nelson Cruz was a bummer final 12 months, however he’s nonetheless Nelson Cruz: You wouldn’t be that shocked if he hit 30 homers once more, would you? If Matt Carpenter is something near what he was with the Yankees, or if Trent Grisham and Jake Cronenworth take a step ahead and Ha-Seong Kim hangs in there, this could possibly be a deep and really scary lineup. Or, it’ll simply be 4 stars you simply grit your enamel to make it via. It actually would assist if Soto has the monster 12 months it positive looks like is coming. Even his down years are terrific, however think about if he explodes.
1) What will they get out of Kris Bryant?
You hate to pile on right here, however the Rockies signed Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million deal earlier than final season and presently have 5 homers in 42 video games to point out for it. Bryant says he’s lastly feeling wholesome this spring, and that’s good news for the Rockies, who’re clearly relying on him to be the centerpiece of their lineup.
2) What’s the long-term plan right here?
Even in case you squint actually onerous, it’s onerous to see how the Rockies win the division this 12 months. There is a few expertise on the roster, however most likely not sufficient of it to win sufficient video games to overhaul the opposite groups within the West. The Rockies have a loyal fan base that seems for video games, however they nonetheless have by no means gained this division, and it’s nonetheless unclear when they are going to.
Dodgers: 94-68
Padres: 91-71
Giants: 88-74
D-backs: 79-83
Rockies: 61-101
As a lot as everybody desires to push the Padres (and even the Giants or D-backs) previous the Dodgers, I can’t fairly get there. It is telling {that a} 94-win season looks like an enormous step again for the Dodgers nonetheless. All instructed, don’t be shocked if the Giants make a push due to their rotation. Either method, this division is fascinating this 12 months. There are 4 formidable groups that might go any variety of instructions … and there may be additionally the Rockies.
