Dodgers Have The Power To Be The Western Champs

The team that boasts the most in the Western Division of the National League will be the Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles. The team spent over $98 Million last season and this year looks to be worth a division title.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Colorado Rockies
3. San Diego Padres
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Additions
OF Juan Pierre
LHP Randy Wolf
C Mike Lieberthal
RHP Jason Schmidt
OF Luis Gonzalez

Losses
SS Julio Lugo
RHP Franquelia Osoria
RHP Greg Maddux
OF Kenny Lofton
C Toby Hall
OF Jayson Worth
RHP Eric Gagne
OF J.D. Drew

The rotation has removed a 40 year old and put in his place is a 34-year-old RHP named Jason Schmidt. Schmidt went 11-9 with 3.59ERA in 213.1 INN with the Giants and will benefit from the improved line-up the Dodgers possess without the LF burden of Barry Bonds. Derek Lowe will take his 16-8 record from 2006 and will try to duplicate the number including his 218 innings of work. The hard throwing Brad Penny will look to post another 16 wins in the cause for the NL West Division title. Randy Wolf who is coming off a surgery that cost him a year. The Lefty still has heat in his arm and will be a solid addition to the rotation full of right handers. 22-year-old Chad Billingsley will most likely earn the 5th spot of the rotation after going an impressive 6-3 with 78K in 70.2INN in AA and going 7-4 with a 3.80ERA with 59K in 90 INN with the LA Dodgers last season. The kid has some very good stuff and this rotation will just be dominating with or without the run support. That will be generated from the line-up.

The bullpen has changed and features a new closer and a few starters now in relief roles. Takashi Saito took over the closing role from injured Eric Gagne last season and fared very will with 24SV and also posting 6 wins for the Dodger blue. Jonathan Broxton was able to go 4-1 in a setup role and sitting down 97 in only 76.1 innings of work. This 22-year-old will has the tools to be the closer of today for the Dodger blue but with a little maturing he will be another Eric Gagne, hopefully without all the surgeries. Mark Hendrickson, Elmer Dessens and Brett Tomko are the starters who have been sent to the bullpen and they will work wonders in the bullpen setting up for Broxton.

The line-up has improved leaps over last year’s squad. SS Rafael Furcal will still be the lead off batter as he had a good year batting .300 with 15HR and 63RBI while swiping 37 bases. Juan Pierre is a great addition to the line-up, not so much defensively in CF but hitting behind Furcal. Pierre had .292 average in 2006 with the Chicago Cubs and that earned him another 200+ hit year while swiping 58 bases from opponents. Steady Jeff Kent will be in the 3 hole, he had a really bad year as far as his career numbers are concerned. His 14HR and 68RBI are the lowest since 1996 when he hit 11and 55 respectively. Kent is going to be 39 at the start of the season but he can still contribute to the ball club, as well as their newest LF Luis Gonzalez. Gonzo departs the desert and now resides in the LF of Los Angeles. Gonzalez hit 15HR and drove in 73 last season and his numbers will look the same in 2007. His knowledge and leadership will be a greater asset to the team than his arm out in left field. The comeback player of the year, Nomar Garciaparra will be back at 1B and will hope to keep his good fortune going. Nomar hit .303 while driving in 93 runs with 20HR. he is no longer a threat on the base path but he is a smart runner who can go from first to third with the best of them. Wilson Betemit will get a regular spot at 3B, he is not a threat yet but at the age of 26 his good years are still to happen. Andre Ethier will be out in RF and he has as a good arm to match his bat. In 25G in AAA he hit .349 with only 1HR and 11RBI, but in 25G with LAD he hit .308 with 11HR 55RBI and 20 doubles and 7 triples. The kid can will be someone to watch this season. Russel Martin has worked his way through the system and has earned the starting catcher spot for the Dodgers. Martin will even learn more about catching from his backup C Mike Lieberthal. Martin will see about 120 games this season, preserving the young starter for years to come. In 121 games last season with the LAD he hit .282 with 117H, 26 doubles, 10HR and 65RBI. Oh yeah, Martin also stole 10 bases in the 2006 campaign. A far improvement from his AAA power numbers that saw him belt out 0HR and only 9RBI. Martin has to at least repeat the success he had at the plate this year, if he wants to continue sitting behind the plate.


The Dodgers are undoubtedly the team to beat this year in the NL West. And anything short of all the starters falling off the face of the planet will not stop them from winning the NL West crown. They have invested money and they will now invest time in a balanced squad with above average bats and a great rotation with a bullpen to back them up.

Runner Ups In The West

In a surprise to most people I actually have faith in the Colorado Rockies. There is something about this franchise that is going to get them farther this year, and have a serious year that should have some new career highs and even more surprises. If everyone is healthy and the coach does not become a complete bonehead then this team will be fighting for first in September.

1.
2. Colorado Rockies
3. San Diego Padres
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Additions
RHP Latroy Hawkins
OF Willy Taveras
RHP Jason Hirsh
RHP Taylor Buchholz

Losses
RHP Jason Jennings
RHP Miguel Ascenio
2B Jason Smith
RHP Jose Mesa
LHP Justin Hampton


The rotation took a bit of a hit when the Rockies sent Jason Jennings to Houston for Jason Hirsh and Willy Taveras. This year it looks as though Jeff Francis will become the ace of this franchise and although he is not the most dominating ace in the NL or even the NL West he will still improve all of his numbers this year and improve on 2006’s 13-11 record and his 4.16ERA. Francis was just one inning short of pitching 200 last season and will more than likely be around 210 as he will be able to stay and inning or 2 longer in most games this season. Aaron cook will follow behind Francis and look to have more wins this season and at least finish with a .500 mark. Cook is a workhorse posting 212.2 Innings last season and like Francis will have to lower his 4.23ERA from 2006. Jason Hirsh who comes over from the Houston Astros trade looks like this 25 year old needs some big improvement. Hirsh had a rough stint in the big leagues last year garnering a 3-4 record with a 6.04ERA with Houston. So why did the Rockies send Jennings for Hirsh? In Roundrock, the AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros, Hirsh pitched to a 13-2 record with a 2.10ERA with 118K in 137.1 Innings. This is why he was brought up and although all his numbers inflated he still has all the tools to be a big time pitcher in the MLB. Veteran Josh Fogg and Byung-Hyun Kim will end the rotation and look to provide the Rockies with at least 20 wins in the final two spots. Last year these two hit 19 wins with an average ERA of over 5.50, this club may not be able to have low ERA’s but it can definitely win them by any means necessary, even if the stats do not favour statisticians.

The addition of Latroy Hawkins gives a solid setup man for Brian Fuentes. Hawkins is looking to rebound after posting a 4.48ERA last season while Fuentes is looking to improve on what was a good year for his club. Fuentes had 30 SV with a 3.44ERA in 06, Fuentes also posted 73K in his 65.1 innings of work with the Rockies. The rest of the bullpen has a lot of men who know how to record K’s and as soon as the bullpen matures a bit more it will be one of the best in the NL. Ramon Ramirez and Manny Corpas are two young guns that are able to go out and be the situational one or two batter pitcher, with a high probability of sitting a few of them down. Ramirez sat down 61 batters in 67.2 innings last season while Corpas took his success from AA and was able to show that he can hang with the big boys. Corpas was 2-1 with a 0.98ERA with 19SV striking out 35 in 36.2INN, while with the big club Corpas had a 3.62ERA and striking out 27 in 32.1INN.

The line-up is one of the reasons that this team will steal some games not only from divisional opponents but also from the rest of the NL. This homegrown crop has matured a lot and has made people think about what this future can be like in the next 5-7 years. Willy Taveras will likely lead off and he will look to improve on his .278BA but will be a valuable asset in the field running down balls in CF as well as looking for another 30+SB this season. Matsui should follow providing that he stays with the big club, and can be consistent with his bat other than just his glove. Playing in 32G with the Rockies Matsui was able to bat .345 and drive in 19 while taking 8SB; the 3-4-5-6 spot in the line-up will be threatening and should provide at least 110HR between the four players. Garret Atkins, Matt Holliday, Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe will be the offensive muscle. Atkins hit .329 with 29HR and leading the Rockies with 120RBI and 48 doubles. Holliday batted a .326 with a team leading 34HR and driving in 114RBI with 45 doubles. Todd Helton looks to rebound after his un-Helton like season where he only belted 15HR, only the second time in his Career he has not hit 20HR. Helton still batted .302, another low since his 97 debut. Helton was still able to record 81RBI so he has not lost all of the pop from his bat. Even though Helton turns 33 at the start of the season he is not done yet. 27 year old Brad Hawpe will look to improve his numbers and put together a consistent year in his third full season with the Colorado Rockies. Hawpe sent 22 balls out of the park while driving in 84RBI and having a .293 average. Hawpe has the potential and the power to be a 30-100 guy in MLB and has years to learn. Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Ianetta will be at the bottom of the line-up as both look to keep a full time job in the big leagues and provide some help before getting to the pitchers.

This team will surprise and if you want to call it bandwagon jumping than call it bandwagon jumping. There is a lot of potential and great veterans to help teach the young kids how to stay focused. A lot of guys are not in their ‘prime’ yet and will grow with the experience. I have no problem saying that the rockies will lose the battle of the west again, but will be pretty darn close finishing second.

Back To Back To Third Place

Dont you hate when work gets in the way of Baseball. So here is the late edition and look for 2nd and 1st place finishers in the NL West tomorrow.

1.
2.
3. San Diego Padres
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Arizona Diamondbacks

This franchise has a good young staff and a good line-up, which also features the best closer ever in MLB history. So why will the Padres finish in third? Take a look at the reasoning.

The rotation was bolstered with the addition of the 41 year old, 4-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux. Maddux rebounded in the second half of 2006 and created a service for him and at $10 Million the Padres are hoping that he still has something left in the tank. Ahead of Maddux will be the young duo of Jake Peavy and Chris Young. These two young guns are 25 and 28 respectively and just about finished maturing. Peavy had a dismal year finishing 11-14 with a 4.09 ERA. Peavy was still able to rake up 215K’s in 202.1 innings but when Peavy was hit, Peavy was hit hard. This year his ERA will come down and should go back to at least a .550 pitcher while racking up over 200K’s again. Chris Young who almost threw a No Hitter twice last year is odds-on favourite to get the franchise’s first No-No. After finishing 11-5 expect almost a duplicate year while Young probably pulls down his ERA from 2006’s 3.46 mark and raises his K total to about 180. These two are the future of the franchise and will only get better under the tutelage of Greg Maddux. The fourth and fifth spot will be occupied by Clay Hensley and David Wells, probably not in that order, but will be solid none the less. Hensley’s first full season netted him a 3.71 ERA that earned him a 11-12 record. The rotation looks promising with the age and wisdom mixed in with the youth and high K totals.


The Bullpen is owned by the most Savingest Closer in the Big League’s who recorded NL Leading 46 SV in 2006. Hoffman is 39 this season and will be as dominate with his changeup and perfect location fastball. Scott Linebrink who is mentioned in every trade rumour is still around as the Padres hope he can replace Hoffman as the closer. Meredith has a deceiving side arm delivery and will be a good reliever. The Padres also picked up Heath Bell and Royce Ring in the off-season. Royce Ring was not very good with the Mets posting a 2.13 ERA in 11 games, but a new location and a new style of play could see those numbers shrink.


The big move that the Padres made to their everyday line-up is adding hometown product Marcus Giles after the Atlanta Braves let him walk free. Marcus Giles will most likely be hitting second in front of his brother Brian Giles who has seen the pop in his bat fading, but makes up for it by drawing a lot of walks. Leading off for the Padres and replacing Dave Roberts who now serves in a S.F. Giants uniform is Terrmel Sledge. The Left Fielder is expected to pick up his bat and hit for some power as that was the only thing Dave Roberts was not able to do within Petco Park. Adrian Gonzalez who surprised a lot of people with his power will be cleanup as his 24 HR lead the team and his 82 RBI was one short of the team league. Expect the 24 year old to improve his numbers to at least 25-90, as usual he will have a little slump but do not be surprised if he makes even 30 balls soar over the fence. Mike Cameron is the only real Gold Glover taking the field and his bat is staying steady but at the age of 34 expect some drop off. Expect young Josh Bard and Kevin Kouzmanoff to make their mark this year and be starters for years to come. Injury Prone Khalil Greene will be at the bottom of this line-up and it is basically what you see is what you get. If Greene can stay healthy he could be up for a Gold Glove, but the SS position at NL is a little tougher these days.

The Padres have all the making of a team to win their third NL West title but with the other four teams in the division beefing up it will be unlikely as they will be in the dreaded hunt for second place in the division. Maddux will pay off for Peavy who will rebound and also teach Chris Young a few things about pitching with your head, not just your arm. The young guns will mature both in the Pen and in the Field but this year will be tough for the Padres and will just miss out on second place in 2007.

The Countdown Begins In The West

The first pitch in the 2007 MLB season will be thrown in 31 days. There are 30 Major League Teams and there is an analysis for each team. The only question is where to begin? How about the National League West Division. After careful consideration of scheduling, roster updates and roster development here are my predictions for the division, starting with fifth position.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Major Roster Changes

Additions
LHP Doug Davis
LHP Dana Eveland
OF David Krynzel
LHP Randy Johnson

Losses
2B Damion Easley
C Johnny Estrada
RHP Claudio Vargas
RHP Greg Aquino
2B Craig Counsell
OF Luis Gonzalez
RHP Miguel Batista
RHP Luis Vizcaino

The team was not the greatest in 2006 after finishing 76-86; the Diamondbacks are well removed from their 2002 playoff season. The team is also cleaning up the mess of back loaded contracts from their early years that has restricted their future. The Diamondbacks have rebounded since their 2004 51-win season and has built a decent foundation for staying competitive in the coming years. Their rotation is not a threat but there is good potential for a win whenever they step out on the diamond. The Rotation is expected to be anchored by 2006 Cy Young winning Sinkerball pitcher Brandon Webb. Randy Johnson returns to the desert after two un-Johnson like years with the New York Yankee’s. Although he is 43, Johnson should rebound and get his ERA back down while pitching out of Chase field. Livan Hernandez is a workhorse who will put up 200+ innings and trot out to the mound at least 30 times in the cause. Doug Davis is expected in the fourth hole and will also give 200+ innings but is only a .500 pitcher at best, as last year gave him his 3 consecutive .500 seasons. The fifth spot is up for grabs and it will be used for teaching their youngsters the game.

The Bullpen is nothing to think about. Jose Valverde is dominant in the closer role providing he is on. When he is off there is no telling what you will receive. The only other footnote in the bullpen is former Toronto Blue Jay Brandon Lyon. Lyon is best suited for a setup role as he has 4 pitches to keep them guessing until Jose Valverde can shut down the 9th.

The infield has changed a bit losing Counsell, Easley, and Estrada. Chris Snyder who turns 26 will be entrusted with calling the game to this veteran rotation. Snyder also can contribute offensively as he drove in 32 in his 61 games he played. The corners will be manned by Chad Tracy and Conor Jackson who have risen through the D-Backs ranks and will improve their offensive numbers en route to being a threatening duo for years to come. The middle has one change as steady Orlando Hudson will still man second base and suck in every ball right of 2B and left of 1B. Hudson’s offensive production was his best last year scoring career highs in hits, runs, doubles, triples, homers, RBI’s, stolen bases and walks. It seems that O-Dawg is offensively meant for the NL. Stephen Drew will be his running mate at SS and has a terrific range and an arm to make the tough Derek Jeter throws.

The outfield is decent considering they were able to move Luis Gonzalez who although put fans in the stands didn’t do much else to support his club in LF. Eric Byrnes has been moved from CF to left field to fill in the hole. Youngsters Chris Young and Carlos Quentin will be the CF and RF respectively. In Young’s stint in Arizona land, he had 10 RBI’s in 30 games while batting a .243. Quentin did a little better with 9 HR and 32 RBI’s in 57 games. Both are better defensively but their bats should develop with their age.

Overall the team looks to be improved but in respect to the other NL West teams, their acquisitions are minor league at best and considering the upped pitching in their division, and some better bats coming over, the Diamondbacks will have a tough haul in the division this year. Johnson will have to prove that he still has what it takes to win despite putting up 17 wins with a loaded offence in New York. Hernandez although 32, is not primed to breakout anymore. The young team will get a great look at what the competition is like in the NL West and look for Young to catch up to his defence with some improved power numbers this year. Orlando Hudson will chase down every ball but it may not be enough as they will still sit in the basement this year. Good thing the ownership group is in year 3 of a 4-year growth plan that should see them return to some glory like they had in 2001.

So Long Big Mac

Maybe it doesn’t mean much. Maybe it will only take 365 more days till it happens, but right now Mark is not joining his first ballot mates, Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Both those men are well deserving although there is some good debates about whether Ripken should actually be in the hall of fame. When you think about it, other than his amazing streak. Which truly is amazing and will probably never be broken, although in sports, records are made to be broken. When you think about some of members in the hall of fame, think of the fear that some of them possessed when your home team faced them. Did Cal Ripken have that effect? The answer is no, the 19 time All-Star, former Rookie of the Year, 2 time Gold Glover, 3000+ Hit Machine with over 430 Home runs really didn’t strike fear in your home ball club. I wonder why? In any even Tony Gwynn had the same effect; only he was a big man. But he never had the power numbers to go along with the big man image. The man never hit more than 17 in a season, over 3100 hits, amazing batting average at .338 and he only struck out 434 times in 9,288 at bats. Want to do the math? No? Well, I will, that is striking out once every 21 at bats, that is about once every 6 games on average. Add to this he was an 8 time NL batting champion that ties him with Honus Wagner for the League record. 5 gold gloves as a Right Fielder and a 15-time all-star. The man was a beast that could drop down a bunt. Who else could do that? These are impressive numbers in a sport that is controlled by numbers. Jack Morris great pitcher but his ERA was above 4.00 most years. 3.77 was his lowest in 18 years. He is short of 300 wins so it doesn’t guarantee him a spot but he does have 7 more years of eligibility if I am not mistaken. And never say never with baseball writers. Back to the main point, Mark McGwire. Now what exactly has he done? Well other than the obvious of breaking Roger Maris’ single season Home Run mark of 61, and eventually went on to hit 70 in that year. Career marks are not that impressive other than one big power number and the ratios and averages that come from the one category. 6187 at bats and only 1626 hits, this translates to a .263 career batting average. So since he wasn’t really hitting the ball for hits he was clearly striking out as he has only 30 less Strikeouts than he did hits. That is almost 4 time more than the likes of Tony Gwynn. See this is the perfect example of how baseball is all about numbers. So out of his 1600+ hits there were 583 home runs. Impressive. Very. 7th on the all time list. And if my man KGJ Ken Griffey Junior himself can last one or two more seasons and hit at least 20, he will surpass McGwire. And back to the main point. His numbers are impressive in one area and very lacklustre in the rest. Also there is the whole issue about steroid use. Whether he did or not well lets just wait till he has a press conference next year to help his hall of fame balloting. But are you not suppose to just judge the man on his on field performance only. At the time when McGwire had the bottle of Andro in his locker there was a big uproar about it. and I remember calling him a cheat and that it was disgraceful. Now a little older I realise that personally I didn’t like what he did but he did follow the rules. Whether it was a supplement, whether it was steroids, what ever it is there was no rule saying he could not have it. and rightfully so for one year he is going to be snubbed. And maybe for the next 5-7 years baseball writers will snub him. Eventually Big Mack will be in the hall and whether you agree or disagree with whatever he did. Both He and Sammy Sosa made us believe in the spirit of the American Pastime. At least until this steroid scandal came out.

V-Dub Signing

Welcome to the Inaugural Blog...

Why not have a blog? Everyone else has one, and why should Jack Jock be any different? Jack Jock has the privilege to put his thoughts on a website just like Joe Schmuck from Lower Left Ankle, Saskatchewan. So on with the blog...

Vernon Wells officially signs his contract today, making him the 6th richest man in Major League Baseball today... even though his new contract does not take effect until the 2008 season, and V-Dub makes his fortune beginning in 2010. SO let the hate mail begin funneling through.... Why hate mail, because everyone will claim that no man is worth this amount of money. Not to mention that the Jays STILL need a 3rd or a 4th spot starter (Depending on your thoughts of Gustavo Chacin). Interesting thought. V-Dubs, best season is undoubtedly 2003, he hit .317 with 33HR, and 117RBI. In his 5 years being with the big club in Toronto, he has a .287AVG, 28HR and 97RBI, not to mention that he is also a great doubles hitter. 200 of 933 career hits are two baggers alone. If your wondering Lyle Overbay is still the two bagger machine of the Blue Jays (Interesting choice of words).

If the Blue Jays did not resign this man then what were they going to do? Did they increase their 2007 payroll by signing V-Dub? No. Were they able to back load the contract so they have flexibility? Yes. Did the Jays get the pitcher they needed? No. Are they a better team by signing Wells? Maybe. Was this signing necessary? Yes.

For years I have been saying press the eject button on the J.P. Riccardi era in Toronto. But I have to applaud him for this signing. He was able to get accomplished what needed to be done not only for the team to win, but to keep the fans happy.
How many games would you attend this year if Vernon Wells was not in the lineup? or would you only attend when the Texas Rangers came to town with signs reading "THANK YOU VERNON!" The more fans that come out to the games, the more 'spirit' that the fans display, the more money that is given back to Ted Rogers, the more money the Blue Jays will have to put back into the payroll. Don't think that it will not happen. Rogers lost Millions last year in what was the best gate receipts total since the 1998 season. Despite losing this money, Rogers increases the payroll. We do not know to what amount. but by the signings already taken place, it is between $8-15 Million. Pretty good raise for a 2nd place team.

The one thing about this is that I think this is the first MLB player that I can respect. Vernon said it himself, He went to the Jays with this $ figure. The Lee deal was inked, Soriano said goodbye to the Nationals, and yet V-Dubs figure did not go up. He is loyal. He gave the Blue Jays the benefit of the doubt. And the Blue Jays said 'Thank you, here is your contract."

The Jays still need a pitcher and they have some 'wiggle' room, as J.P. likes to say, to accomplish this feat. You never know if Josh Towers will bounce back and have a 11-10 season, or if Taubenheim, Janssen, or Marcum will break through and have a 8-12 or a 10-10 (wishful thinking) season. If Towers and an extra would have been able to reach that this year, can you say Wild Card? But thems the breaks. And you can only look forward, not backwards. upwards not downwards, and always twirling twirling twirling towards freedom... somehow that doesn't fully apply.

The bottom line of the Wells signing is this, there is a greater chance for a winning team, a winning city, and Fans who love to go to the Rogers Centre to watch V-Dub, Doc, Ryan, Burnett, Overbay, Glaus, Rios and the host of others. And the more winning can lead to more players waiving a No-Trade clause to come to Toronto, or attract the next big Free-Agent to this great city. That itself is worth the price tag of Vernon Wells.