Tuesday, January 4, 2011

NL West- Rockies or Giants?

The player known affectionately as "CarGo" by his team in Colorado, is definately that; precious cargo. As news brakes of the Rockies locking up 5-tool outfielder Carlos Gonzalez to a reported 7 year/80 million extension looks like an extremely smart decision by a team quick becoming a formidable franchise filled with young stars. The Rockies also recently signed star SS Troy Tulowitzki  to a 7 year extension with 3 years remaining on his existing deal. They also have dominant RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, LHP Jorge de la Rosa, OF Seth Smith has three arbitration years, speedy OF Dexter Fowler is still two years from arbitration, 3B Ian Stewart still has 3 years of arbitration, they recently signed IF Ty Wigginton to a 3 year contract, and 2B Eric Young, Jr is still a year away from aritration. In a division that features weak teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and potentially the over-achieving San Diego Padres, it appears as though the Rockies are priming themselves for long runs in the NL West. The only thing that can stand between the Rockies and the NL West crown is the pitching of the San Francisco Giants. I do not believe, however, that the Giants offense can sustain for an entire year to win the division as they did last year. If you take a look at some key players stats, you will see that there was a huge difference between what they did in 2009 and 2010. In 2009 split between the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers, 1B Aubrey Huff hit .241, with a .310 OBP, 15 hrs, and 85 rbi's. In 2010 with the Giants, Huff had a great year, hitting .290, with 26 hrs, 100 rbi's, and a respectable .385 obp. OF Pat Burrell has averaged 17 hrs and 64 rbi's the last two seasons, not even close to the 30 hr, 90 rbi's he averaged from 2000-2008 with the Phillies. The Giants signed Miguel Tejada to play SS, whose range and numbers have been decreasing over the last 5 years. RF Cody Ross,  who had one season of significance before his spirited playoff run, does not seem like a player that can make those kind of number stand up for the entire season, coming off a .269/14/65 season. If these players for these two teams continue to play like they did last year, then the NL West should end being extremely close, with the Padres sound defense and pitching potentially playing a spoiler role in 2011.

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