Over the next few weeks, we here at LWOS will be going from division to division and discussing a move that we believe each team MUST MAKE to improve the most. Today, we present the third of six MLB winter previews: the National League West.
LWOS Winter Previews: NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have stolen many offseason headlines so far without making many moves at all. Before the MLB postseason came to an end, the organization had already parted ways with manager Don Mattingly, who led the team to three consecutive NL West Division Championships. Shortly thereafter, 2015 Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke made it official that he would be testing the free agent market after having what was his best season with the Dodgers, if not his career.
In regard to the managerial search, the Dodgers have narrowed their options down to two. The first, who many outlets have determined to be the front runner for the job, is director of player development Gabe Kapler. The second is San Diego Padres bench coach Dave Roberts.
Regardless of who takes over as skipper of the Los Angeles Dodgers, one thing will be certain afterwards: the Dodgers will be looking to better the team without spending any more money. Expect the Dodgers to trade a high profile player like Yasiel Puig for pitching, and don’t be surprised if some team other than the Dodgers gives Zack Greinke the high-paying, long-term contract that he’s looking for.
A great option for the Dodgers could be finding a way to trade for Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins, as giving Greinke the money he is looking for may not be in their best long-term payroll interests. With the money saved, the Dodgers should look to bolster their bullpen, which struggled throughout the 2015 season.
San Francisco Giants
When April rolls around, it will be the year 2016, which is an even-numbered year. It’s coincidental that the San Francisco Giants have won the World Series in the last three even-year seasons, but it makes it a bit easier to not sleep on the team.
So far this off-season, the Giants have awarded Brandon Crawford to a six year, $72 million contract. However, don’t expect the Giants to be done.
The Giants have serious questions surrounding their starting rotation. Tim Lincecum is a free agent, but has lot’s of question surrounding his health. Tim Hudson, who provided two solid years the Giants pitching staff, has retired. As a result, The Giants will certainly be focused on bringing in a solid, healthy, dependable starter.
At minimum, the Giants should try to go after get Zack Greinke, and if not go after David Price. If the Giants don’t succeed in landing Greinke, don’t be surprised if they at least try making it harder for the Dodgers to sign him by giving him competitive offers to drive up the price.
San Diego Padres
Remember in 2014 when the Padres were making move after move to improve their roster?
With the exception of trading closer Craig Kimbrel for a few prospects, the Padres have laid low this off season.
In addition to laying low with the roster, the Padres also laid low in the hiring of D-Backs third base coach Andy Green.
While expectations shouldn’t be extremely high for a first year manager, he will still assume control of a team that will yield high expectations. With Matt Kemp, James Shields, and, until further notice, Justin Upton, the Padres will still have plenty of firepower to give the rest of the NL West competition in 2016.
Add some solid starting pitching to join James Shields and the Padres could have more than the All-Star Game going on at Petco Park in 2016.
Arizona Diamondbacks
What exactly is Tony La Russa doing down there in Phoenix? Is he just hanging out because he can’t get away from baseball? Does he just like the warm weather desert climate in Phoenix?
As the D-Backs look forward to their second year under manager Chip Hale, they made many moves in the 2015 regular season, which included trading outfielder Mark Trumbo to the Seattle Mariners, to gear themselves for the long term.
The D-Backs certainly have a star to build around in Paul Goldschmidt, who fell short of the 2015 NL MVP award. How will Tony La Russa and the rest of the D-Backs from office choose to do that? Time will tell, but it’s clear the D-Backs aren’t just trading anybody after rejecting a trade offer from the Atlanta Braves for Shelby Miller and A.J. Pollock .
Colorado Rockies
If you’re a Colorado Rockies fan this offseason, and if you’re a Denver Broncos fan, it’s probably appropriate to assume that you’re more worried about how the Peyton Manning situation is going to turn out.
It has already been an abysmal offseason so far for the Rockies. Outfielder Jose Reyes, who the Rockies gave up franchise player Troy Tulowitzki for, made negative headlines after being ivolved in a domestic dispute in Hawaii last month.
Prior to that, it was announced that manager Walt Weiss would return as manager for the Colorado Rockies in 2016. It may not be good news or bad news, but it at minimum gives the Rockies needed stability.
The Rockies face the same conundrum they will always face as long as they play at Coors Field: find a way to get a quality pitcher to come pitch at high altitude Coors Field, where home runs come at a discount.
Mike Leake may come off as a feasible signing for the Colorado Rockies.
Check back on Monday for our AL West winter preview.
Previous parts of this series may be found here:
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