Storyline: The 2016 MLB season is here! Here are my predictions for the National League West. Written by Tomas D’Anella, Murray, Utah.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Greinke and Goldschmidt Miss Postseason. Tony La Russa and Dave Stewart had one thing in mind this past off-season, the postseason. A surprise signing and a head-scratching trade improved the team’s big question mark–starting pitching. While an annual MVP candidate and up-and-coming superstar highlight a lineup that belongs in the postseason, I still can’t see it happening. The Dodgers have the upper hand in the NL West and Kershaw won’t let the Snakes pass up Big Blue. Besides, the Giants have a star-studded core of Posey and Bumgarner. San Fran should continue their even-year magic and return to the postseason. Those circumstances will leave AZ on the outside looking in.
Travis Story of the Colorado Rockies (photo, purplerow.com)
Colorado Rockies: Jose Reyes Won’t Be Missed, While Trevor Story Makes His Story Known. Amidst controversy surrounding their previously projected starting shortstop, the Rockies are spending this year’s Spring Training searching for a new shortstop. Many voices around the league have projected the Rockies #11 prospect, Travis Story, to make starting shortstop. Story should produce enough to keep Reyes out and force the Dominican veteran to a new position, a new team, or the bench. The Dodgers’ top prospect, Corey Seager, is widely regarded to win the NL Rookie of the Year, but Story should make for at least two shortstops in the discussion.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Kershaw, Seager Tear Up National League, But Still Miss Postseason. It’s hard to think that the almighty Dodgers are no longer top dog in the NL West. The team finished 92-70 and won the division in 2015. Though they were a preseason favorite to win it all, the Dodgers failed to make it past the NLDS. Now, after an offseason addressing their rotation by adding multiple depth pieces, the Dodgers are ready to compete in an even tighter division (the Giants and Diamondbacks have improved rosters). To compete LA has an established ace in Clayton Kershaw, a rising import in Kenta Maeda, and rookie mega-star Corey Seager, to go along with veteran Adrian Gonzalez, youngster Joc Pederson, and controversial, Yasiel Puig. That group will produce enough for LA to be in contention all year. Rookie of the Year candidate, Corey Seager, is projected by fangraphs.com to hit 18 home runs and produce 76 RBIs. The September call-up hit 4 home runs and had 17 RBIs in 27 games. And every fifth day Kershaw will take the field. Kershaw, a name synonymous with Cy Young winner, burst onto the scene in 2009 when he posted a 2.79 ERA in his first full season as a starter. He followed that season up with 2.91 season. In 2011 Kershaw went 21-5 with a then-career low ERA of 2.28. The three-time award winner will team up with Seager and crew to give the Giants a run for the title. I don’t think they’ll make it, though. And, in a highly competitive NL, I don’t see them securing a Wild Card slot, either.
San Diego Padres: Rebuild Mode Starts With Trading Ross, Cashner, and Shields. Following the 2014 season the San Diego Padres went into the offseason with resolve: improve the team and make the playoffs. The Padres signed James Shields, traded for Matt Kemp and Justin Upton, and acquired Craig Kimbrel the night before Opening Day. Everything seemed to be in place for October. But, by midseason, the team had fallen apart. SD finished in fourth place, 18 games out of first. This offseason SD let Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy walk in free agency. Then everyone expected the team to begin rebuilding by trading one of their three most-wanted starting pitchers. But the Padres chose to stay put, even though there’s James Shields trade-talk. All in all it will be tough going one again for the Padres in a tough NL West.
Buster Posey of the San Francisco, Giants (photo, sfgate.com)
San Francisco Giants: Even-Year Magic Continues, Though Not To Its Full Potential. The Giants have become famous for their even-year magic, appearing in the World Series in ’10, ’12, and ’14. And GM Brian Sabean set out to continue the magic. To win in ’16 the Giants needed to improve the pitching staff. They did that in the off-season by grabbing two of the top pitchers on the market: Johnny Cueto was signed away from the reigning World Champs with a six year, $130 million contract, and Jeff Samardzija came from the White Sox for five years and $90 million. With an offense that features Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, and Matt Duffy, a solid rotation is all it could take to make it back to October. The challenge is keeping pace with NL rivals. I think the Mets, Cubs, and Cardinals are all ahead of the Giants. SF will likely win the NL West, but I don’t see the Giants making it back to the World Series.
Pick to win NL West: San Francisco Giants
Pick to win NL Wild Cards from NL West: None
Pick to win NL MVP from NL West: None
Pick to win NL Cy Young from NL West: Clayton Kershaw
Pick to win NL Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager, Los Angeles
