1. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-78, Lost in NLDS to Philadelphia)
The Dodgers had Manny Ramierez the second half of the season and it propelled them to the NL West championship. Then the Dodgers crushed the Cubs and lost to the eventual World Series Champion. This year, they'll have Manny for a full season after signing him to a two year deal. Now we all know that if there is a contract year athlete, it's Manny being Manny. However, here's something to consider. Manny's two year deal has a player option on it. We know that Manny will try and test the market again to try and get as much money as possible next offseason. If Manny puts up the same numbers over a full season, somebody will actually step up and throw money at Manny like they're Pac Man Jones at a strip club. Add that to the fact that the Dodgers have pretty solid pitching and they win this division easily.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (82-80, 2nd in NL West)
The D'backs are the most intriguing team in baseball. They have a ton of talent, but they're also extremely enigmatic. The D'Backs have OFs Chris Young and Justin Upton anchoring their lineup, but sometimes they can be incredibly hot, while other times, they look like Hellen Keller at a pinata party. SS Stephen Drew is starting to develop into one of the games elite, but otherwise the hot and cold Diamondbacks aren't contenders despite a very strong pitching staff. Also the Diamondbacks do not have a reliable closer as they will turn to Jon Rauch to fill that role. The D'Backs hope to get a boost from returning OF Eric Byrnes as well, who had an injury riddled 2008 season.
3. San Francisco Giants (72-90, 4th in NL West)
The Giants have some solid youngsters as they try to rebuild from the Barry Bonds era. The team looked looser last season, but it didn't reflect in the standings. Of course the Giants have the reigning Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, but other than that they don't have much to write home about as for players who can help right now. The Giants want to see Pablo Sandoval develop into their first baseman of the future, but it may be a while before that happens. The Giants also have a super catcher developing in the minors by the name of Buster Davis. Davis will be a stud when he gets to the majors and might even be called up by the end of the year.
4. Colorado Rockies (74-88, 3rd in NL West)
The Rockies have a sub par pitching staff and lost their best player, Matt Holliday, over the offseason. The Rockies do have a couple players that can help now in C Chris Ianetta and SS Troy Tulowitzki. Ianetta bashed 16 home runs in 2008 and that was in limited at bats. The Rockies hope that his numbers continue to get better and he winds up as a middle of the lineup bat. Tulowitzki had an injury marred 2008 season as he injured his hamstring and then nearly slicing his hand in half with a maple bat. Tulo didn't play well when he was in the lineup until the last week of 2008. A healthy Tulo could result in a bonceback season.
5. San Diego Padres (63-99, 5th in NL West)
They really should have traded Jake Peavy for some help at all postitions. They can't score runs for their pitching staff. Keeping Peavy will help, but it has a Santana like aura around it. Peavy will get dealt at some point the only question is when. A lot of teams may be willing to throw what the the Padres are asking for near the trade deadline as pitching is always a hot commodity. As for the current team, they stayed pat over the offseason and really just lost Trevor Hoffman to the Brewers which sounds like a great move at this point in time. Heath Bell should be a good closer for the Padres, but the Padres are a last place team. Plain and simple.
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