N.L. West Division preview
Los Angeles Dodgers
2013 record: 92-70, first place (lost to Cardinals in NLCS).
Hot spot: CF Matt Kemp continues his comeback from left ankle surgery last fall. He’s been playing in minor league games during camp and wasn’t in Australia with the rest of the team for its season-opening series against Arizona.
Outlook: LHP pitcher Clayton Kershaw, coming off his second Cy Young Award at age 25, anchors one of the deepest rotations in baseball but he opens the season on the disabled list. The Dodgers bolstered the rotation with the addition of Dan Haren. Pitchers Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley are trying to bounce back from surgeries. OF Yasiel Puig, who struggled offensively in spring training, tries to follow up his stellar rookie season.
Arizona Diamondbacks
2013 record: 81-81, second place.
Hot spot: Starting rotation. The elbow injury to All-Star lefty Patrick Corbin is a big blow to a unit already full of questions. The Diamondbacks were 23-8 in Corbin’s starts last season, 58-73 with anyone else. Wade Miley, a 16-game winner two seasons ago, seems the best of the rest.
Outlook: The top offseason priority for GM Kevin Towers was adding some power to help Paul Goldschmidt, and he did that in acquiring Mark Trumbo, the big-hitting but strikeout-prone player who will be the everyday left fielder. Priority No. 2 was a veteran starter, and that was accomplished by signing Bronson Arroyo. Much depends on team health. Injuries helped derail last season.
San Diego Padres
2013 record: 76-86, tied for third place.
Hot spot: The Padres go into the season without having resolved Chase Headley’s contract situation. The sides failed to agree to a long-term deal before last season and the third baseman called off talks early in the year because he didn’t want to negotiate during the season. There was no progress this offseason, either. If Headley is not traded, he can leave as a free agent after the season.
Outlook: While some people think San Diego will contend for a wild-card spot, the burden of proof is squarely on the Padres after seasons with 91, 86 and 86 losses. They added more players than usual in the offseason and are increasing payroll. Then again, local and TV money is increasing this season. The reason for the optimism is the pitching staff, which is led by Andrew Cashner and was bolstered by the addition of Josh Johnson. The Padres had hoped they were getting a healthy Johnson, but he is expected to be out four to five weeks after straining his right forearm late in spring training.
San Francisco Giants
2013 record: 76-86, tied for third place.
Hot spot: Starting rotation. After being the strength of the team on the way to two World Series titles in three years, the struggles of the rotation was a big reason for last season’s drop-off. Matt Cain had his highest ERA since his first full season in 2006 as he gave up a career-high 23 homers. Tim Lincecum had his second straight season with an ERA over 4.00 as he struggles to adjust without the velocity that helped him win two Cy Young Awards. Ryan Vogelsong’s ERA jumped more than two runs and his strikeout, walk and home run rates were all his worst in three seasons since rejoining the Giants.
Outlook: The Giants narrowly avoided becoming the second team to go from a World Series title to last place, beating out Colorado by two games last season. Despite the disappointing result, GM Brian Sabean made few big moves in the offseason after re-signing Lincecum and Hunter Pence in the hope that his own players can rebound to their championship level. Having a healthy Angel Pagan at the top of the lineup will be a big help.
Colorado Rockies
2013 record: 74-88, fifth place.
Hot spots: The Rockies have been keeping a close watch on Jhoulys Chacin’s sore shoulder this spring. Chacin was the team’s top right-handed starter a year ago and he’s an integral part of a revamped rotation. Should he miss any time, Franklin Morales or Jordan Lyles figures to step in. Carlos Gonzalez strained his right middle finger last season, dramatically affecting his power, but appears to be healed.
Outlook: The Rockies will miss the clubhouse leadership of Todd Helton, who hung up his spikes after 17 seasons in the Mile High City. His replacement at first, Justin Morneau, isn’t trying to be Helton – “irreplaceable,” Morneau said of Helton – but merely fit in. Like Helton, Morneau has quite a knack for making his fielders look good by scooping anything in the area. The Rockies shored up their bullpen, which was an area of concern after last season when they posted an N.L.-worst 4.23 ERA. The biggest key to Colorado’s season is the health of SS Troy Tulowitzki, who has played in 438 of a possible 648 games over the past four seasons because of injuries.