Thoughts About NL West Lineups

Let's jump right into things with my hometown team, the Los Angeles Dodgers:

Wears 13 and was ranked 13. Coincidence?

A lot of this lineup is health dependent, as it features two oft-injureds - Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez - in crucial spots. Incredibly expensive fourth outfielder Andre Ethier (he's making $13mm in 2014 and is under contract for three more years after that) is around in case Kemp's ankle/shoulder/something else flares up. Former top 30 prospect Dee Gordon and LA's newest Cuban import Erisbel Arruebarr(u)ena provide options at shortstop - although it's possible we might see one of them take over anyway with Ramirez shifting to 3B like he tried to do in Miami a couple of years ago. We might also see one of them try the shift to 2B if LA's next-most-recent Cuban import Alex Guerrero can't handle the position.

Josh Beckett is ostensibly healthy going into the spring, but his inconsistencies over the last four years prompted the Dodgers to pick up lefty Paul Maholm on the cheap as insurance, causing his fantasy rankings to plummet from 283 to 456 now that he's not guaranteed a rotation spot. But given the injury history of the Dodgers in general, I wouldn't be surprised if Maholm made more than a few starts this year. The bullpen looks downright scary with not two, but FOUR former closers backing up Kenley Jansen. In addition to Wilson and Howell listed above (who closed for the Giants and the Rays, respectively), the team also has Chris Perez (Indians) and Brandon League (Mariners), plus burgeoning youngsters Paco Rodriguez and Chris Withrow. I don't predict a lot of late leads slipping away from this squad.

I mentioned the competition swirling around Arizona's shortstop and bullpen in my intro to this Projected Lineups series, but the real story about this team is the Mark Trumbo experiment. Sure his right handed power bat will provide protection for Paul Goldschmidt in the lineup, but does he have what it takes to play the outfield every day? Gerardo Parra might just have enough range for both of them, but he's better suited in right field. I wouldn't be surprised if Cody Ross had a lot of late-inning replacements. On the pitching side, last year's stats would suggest a 5th starter spot battle between Brandon McCarthy and Randall Delgado, but seeing as McCarthy is both more expensive and a free agent after this season, it makes sense for the D-Backs to let him build up some value for a potential mid-season trade.

Remember when the Giants won two of the last four World Series titles? If things go right for them this year, they might be able to make another deep playoff run. The protection is there for Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, and Angel Pagan (if they can all turn out full healthy seasons), with Hunter Pence signed to a long-term contract and Brandon Belt developing into a very solid hitter. San Francisco also needs a return to form of their former star pitchers Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, plus they're banking on Tim Hudson (left) (replacing his former Big Three teammate from Oakland, Barry Zito) and Ryan Vogelsong to recover quickly from injuries that ended their respective seasons last year. Everything has to go perfectly, but I could see this team having a good chance to compete.

Although they tied with the Giants last year, I would not say the same about the Padres' ability to compete, even if everything goes right. I know San Diego is a popular sleeper pick this year, and I do see a lot of upside in a rotation with two former aces that also share the last names of one of the country's most recognizable presidential tickets (Ian Kennedy and Josh Johnson). But I just can't get past that mess of an outfield. Will Venable is the only must-start of the bunch ever since he started hitting against both lefties and righties. Carlos Quentin has big power upside, but his injury history and sometimes troublesome temperament are red flags. Ditto Cameron Maybin, except add in defensive upside, and omit the thing about temperament. If manager Bud Black wanted to go with a platoon at a corner outfield spot (with Venable possibly shifting to center field), Seth Smith and Chris Denorfia fit the bill, but neither are very exciting players. I feel like the best scenario they can hope for in 2014 is that Chase Headley returns to his 2012 form and can fetch a good return via trade. Rumor has it the Yankees are looking for someone to play there...

Ouch. Just, ouch. This team is living, breathing proof that a couple of fantasy studs does not an effective major league roster make. Beyond CarGo and Tulo (and the occasional homer from Wilin Rosario), this team doesn't have much that shines out. And to make matters worse, both of their top two pitchers have joined the perpetually-hurt Brett Anderson in dealing with injury concerns. At least they have Boone Logan to get those tough lefties, though, am I right? Going back to the top of the order, I firmly believe that Drew Stubbs will win the centerfield/leadoff battle over Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson. But a better course of action might have been to NOT try and re-create the 2009 Minnesota Twins by signing Justin Morneau, which would allow them to move Michael Cuddyer to 1B and let two of those promising young outfielders play. But hey, I'm just a guy with opinions on the internet...


Tune in next time, as we travel across the country and look at the biggest-spending division in the league!