[Lefty Noob]

The NL West was a pretty weak division last year, and this year the Giants should have a healthy Barry Bonds, Jason Schmidt and Armando Benitez. Plus, they added Matt Morris to help strengthen the rotation. However, the Dodgers and Padres both got a lot better too. So do the Giants have a chance to win the West this season, and if not them, then who?

[xdavidwattsx]

There is no secret the Dodgers are the favorites to win. The Padres slid into the playoffs last year and the Dodgers got infinitely better. They added veteran leadership, shipped out a few clubhouse cancers and brilliantly negotiated short term contracts to allow their prospects to bubble up when they are ready instead of when they are needed.

Speaking of, why is there no NL West forum? I call conspiracy.

[Lefty Noob]

Hi, xdavidwattsx, and welcome to the forums!

I agree with your assessment that the Dodgers will be the ones to win it. They had some great pick-ups during the offseason, and while I'm not sold on Nomar at 1st, I think they're good enough to win a bad division.

As for the NL West forums, I'm sure our fearless administrator will hook you up once he reads this. Right, rmjvol?

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Hi, xdavidwattsx, and welcome to the forums!

I agree with your assessment that the Dodgers will be the ones to win it. They had some great pick-ups during the offseason, and while I'm not sold on Nomar at 1st, I think they're good enough to win a bad division.

As for the NL West forums, I'm sure our fearless administrator will hook you up once he reads this. Right, Ross?

Defensively, Nomar at first will be a big question mark. Make no mistake, they got him for one reason only and that was his bat. They wanted protection for Jeff Kent. If Nomar can play like he did last year when he came back, that will prove to be a great move. If he gets injured again, the Dodgers still don't really lose much because he's only under a one year deal. It's a win-win.

[kazmerzack]

When first looking at it it definately looks like the Dodgers should win the NL West with such a weak division. I was definately peeved when the Braves, my team, let Rafael Furcal go, but the Bravos have a way of plugging someone in so they can make the playoffs, and that's it, another year. Back to the West. I grew up near L.A. and for many years they were favored because of recent additions, the thing is the Dodgers have a curse of big free agent signing nightmares. Eric Davis, Daaaaaaaryyyyyyyyl, Kevin Brown, and even JD Drew. Plus their pitching is pretty suspect. Even last year their best pitcher, Weaver, was only .500. The thing is the Padres and Giants didn't do much in the off season and Piazza Ithink won't do much in San Diego, and Colorado, they would be lucky to be .500 in AAA. It,s a three way race definately but in this close division intangeables, injuries, rookies, trades, will be the difference this season. I like the Dodgers though. I mean I don't LIKE the Dodgers I just think they will win the west. PS. I think Nomar is going to get comeback player of the year

[Lefty Noob]

PS. I think Nomar is going to get comeback player of the year

WOW!

Talk about a bold prediction! If it happens, we all gotta remember we heard it here first!

[xdavidwattsx]

I wouldn't currently write JD Drew off yet as another free agent bust.

The problem with the Dodgers is that they threw money at all of the wrong places. Hello, Darren Dreifort! They make dumb trades. Hello, Pedro Martinez for Delino DeShields. The trade off proven talent. Hello, Mike Piazza and Adrian Beltre.

For an organization with such rich history, amazing depth in the farm system, they sure do have a way of blowing it.

The key for them this year will be health. They lost a staggering 1100+ man games due to injury last year and started more rookies than any other team. It was a catastrophe. Basic health should translate to better starting pitching and hitting by default. Plus, positive clubhouse additions like Bill Mueller can only help in the face of Milton Bradley.

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

WOW!

Talk about a bold prediction! If it happens, we all gotta remember we heard it here first!

No way, mark me down as firmly supporting that as well. I believed it as soon as they signed him. Nomar knows this is his career defining year.