2010 MLB Preview Part 4: NL West

Part 4....

1. LA Dodgers (87-75) - This was a tight one... It came down to the progression that I see happening from Kershaw (he'll be dominant), and "rebound" years from Manny, and even a slight one from Russell Martin... The bullpen depth is good, and the rotation has high upside... and you can't sleep on a Joe Torre team...
2. Colorado Rockies (86-76) - Really like the Rockies this year... Mostly because their pitching is quietly good... Ubaldo Jimenez is an underappreciated stud and I like De La Rosa and Cook as well... Tulowitzki may be the 3rd best shortstop in the game behind Hanley and Jeter... and professional hitters are everywhere in that lineup... the bullpen is a bit spotty, and they'll need to avoid the slow start they are suddenly accustomed to...
3. Arizona D-Backs (82-80) - My biggest screwup last year? Picking the D-Backs to win the National League... yikes... I still really like parts of the lineup (Upton is a monster, Drew is very good, etc.) but the real question mark is Brandon Webb... Dan Haren is elite but Webb needs to be very good for them to compete... I do like Edwin Jackson coming over to the NL alot... the bullpen is a mess however, and that's the reason they land here
4. San Francisco Giants (81-81) - Well... they can sure pitch... Lincecum/Cain/Sanchez forms a young trio of live arms, and Zito is at least steady... the issue, as always, is the power (or lack thereof)... Sandoval is a beast, but around him are steady guys with low upside and/or defense-first older veterans... I just don't see enough pop...
5. San Diego Padres (69-93) - This is a mess of a franchise... I feel bad for Adrian Gonzalez, who is a truly elite option at 1st base, because the only other proven commodity in that lineup is David Eckstein and he's not exactly putting fear into opposing pitcher's hearts.. The rotation is young and talented (I like Clayton Richard and Kevin Correia) but their closer, Heath Bell, is on the trade market already, and they seem to have punted 2010 already... nothing to see here...

Very competitive from the top 4 here... and it wouldn't surprise me if any of them won it simply because they all have recognizable strengths followed up by injury risks and/or youth, youth, youth... Part 5 to come in the next day or so with the NL Central...