Arizona Diamondbacks - These slithery desert dwellers managed to pull off a difficult feat, and had a worst-to-first season in 2011. With new manager Kirk Gibson taking over the team, they played with the heart and passion they were lacking in 2010 when they went 65-97. They ranked in the top half of all offensive and defensive stats, except for placing 19th in both batting average record and batting average allowed. Justin Upton made a strong case for his MVP credentials, with a line of .289/31/88 and an OPS of .898, all of which led the team. Miguel Montero, Chris Young and Ryan Roberts also contributed to the offense, which improved from 713 runs in 2010 (15th in MLB) to 731 in 2011 (9th), a small increase but good enough. It was the rotation, however, that was truly the secret to Arizona's success. The rotation and bullpen were ranked 28th in 2010, and jumped to 14th in 2011, behind starter Ian Kennedy, whose 21-4 record, 2.88 ERA and 198 strikeouts in 222.2 innings pitched led him to place 4th in Cy Young voting behind Philadelphia's Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, and winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. Closer JJ Putz had a career year, posting 45 saves (career high) and 61 strikeouts in 58 innings. Considering how they dominanted this admittedly weak division last year, it was a shame to see them lose to the Brewers in their first playoff appearance in 4 years.
- 2012 Prediction: Worst-to-first-to-first? It's possible. None of the other teams in the West really improved a whole lot this offseason, so Upton, Kennedy and the D-Backs could be looking at a repeat performance.
Colorado Rockies - Things went cold quickly in Denver this past year. With Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez heading up a lineup that placed 8th in all of baseball in 2010, the offense posted numbers that ranked them 11th and above in 2011. Tulo led the team with a .302 average, 30 homers and 105 RBIs, while CarGo scored 92 runs and stole 20 bases. So why did this team finish 2011 8 games under .500? The pitching. Ubaldo Jimenez, coming off a 2010 where he had a no-hitter in the first month and finished 19-8 with 214 strikeouts and a 2.88 ERA, went 6-9 with a 4.48 ERA before being traded to the Indians in late July. The rest of the rotation ranked between 23rd and 28th in defensive stats, with Jhoulys Chacin picking up the slack after Jimenez left with an 11-14 record and 150 strikeouts in 194 innings. Closer Huston Street, now of the Padres, recorded 29 saves, and the bullpen crumbled around him. This is a team that belongs in the American League: strong hitting, mediocre pitching, and a ballpark where doubles and home runs are more plentiful than games Todd Helton has missed in the past 4 years. And yet, it's the Astros that switch leagues. Go figure. The Rox picked up super utility player Michael Cuddyer and shortstop Marco Scutaro, so the lineup can become even more powerful. They also traded for Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie, a young hurler with a ton of potential. The rotation becomes a little more sturdy, but it may not be enough.
- 2012 Prediction: The Rockies could light Colorado on fire and propel them into another postseason a la 2007, but without a true ace on the mound, the efforts of the offense will be for naught.
Los Angeles Dodgers - Despite Frank and Jamie McCourt's divorce being played out very publicly, there are a few bright spots for the Dodgers, mainly in reigning Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and MVP runner-up Matt Kemp. Kershaw posted a 21-4 record (tied with Arizona's Ian Kennedy for most in the NL), 248 strikeouts (1st in the NL), and a 2.28 ERA (again, 1st in the league), just barely missing out on the Triple Crown. Because of him (I know, hard to believe Ted Lilly and Chad Billingsley weren't impact hurlers), the Dodgers ranked between 5th and 7th in all defensive stats, which is pretty hard to do with the ragtag staff they put together last year. That's a true testament to how much Kershaw means to this team...which is why they signed him to an extension recently. As far as offensively, it was the Matt Kemp Show. He fell one home run short of a 40-40 season, hit 126 RBIs and scored 115 runs, and had an OPS flirting with 1.000. Were it not for Ryan Braun, he would have been this year's NL MVP. In fact, in light of Braun's recent drug test failure, there are many calling for Kemp to be awarded the MVP, but considering Kemp has promised to go 50-50 next year, it seems he'll have another chance. The Dodgers picked up a few average pitchers in Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano, and a little infielder insurance in utility player Jerry Hairston, Jr., but as a team searching for a new owner, their identity is still undefined past Kershaw and Kemp.
- 2012 Prediction: Even with the reigning Cy Young and unofficial MVP, the Dodgers have an uphill battle, even in what could be the weakest division in baseball.
San Diego Padres - After suffering a crushing defeat on the last day of the 2010 season by the eventual champs, the Padres followed up a surprisingly good season with a subpar 2011. They traded star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox before the season began, and their offense felt the sting of the move the entire season: they finished 28th and 29th in all offensive stats, Cameron Maybin led the team with a .264 batting average and 9 home runs (yes, 9 home runs led the entire team), and Will Venable led with 44 RBI. Ryan Ludwick led the team overall with 11 bombs and 64 RBIs, but he was traded to the Pirates halfway through the year. The pitching, however, was much better: they ranked between 3rd and 10th in all defensive stats. Mat Latos led the team with a 3.47 ERA and 185 strikeouts, Aaron Harang led with 14 wins, and closer Heath Bell notched 43 saves. Normally, these would be good indications for the future of the rotation and bullpen. And they are. Except Latos, Harang and Bell now play for other teams, Latos with the Reds for Edison Volquez (career ERA of 4.65 and 33-29 record), Harang with the Dodgers and Bell with the Marlins. They traded away hot prospect Anthony Rizzo, the lynchpin of the Gonzalez trade, to the Cubs for minimal return. It's hard to tell whether the Padres are just building for the future, rebuilding, or throwing in the towel early.
- 2012 Prediction: This team keeps trading away the only players that makes them somewhat respectable. Unless the farm is strong, the Pads are in for a continued downward slide.
San Francisco Giants - Coming off the year that the Giants won their first World Series since 1954, and their first title since moving from New York, they weren't ever expected to repeat. However, with a full season from both young catcher Buster Posey and NLCS hero Cody Ross, as well as the dynamic rotation led by Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and the Beard still being feared in Brian Wilson, they were supposed to contend. A season-ending injury to Posey in a collision at home plate in late May quickly dashed any hopes of a repeat, and subpar seasons from Ross, Aubrey Huff and offseason pickup Miguel Tejada led to an offense that ranked in the bottom 5 of all offensive stats (Huff led the team with a .246 batting average, Pablo Sandoval led with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs). The rotation shined, though, and they were in the top 3 of all defensive stats. The surprising leader in wins and ERA on the team was Ryan Vogelsong, a journeyman picture who made a huge splash this season (Lincecum led in strikeouts, Cain led in WHIP). And, of course, Wilson continued to dominate, recording 36 saves out of 41 opportunities. This offseason, they sent hurler Jonathan Sanchez to the Royals for young outfielder Melky Cabrera in an attempt to add some power to their anemic lineup, and swapped Andres Torres for the Mets' Angel Pagan. With Posey back and healthy, and the rotation still top-notch, they may find themselves back in the October mix.
- 2012 Prediction: The NL West is pretty weak. If they can hold off the Diamondbacks, keep the Rockies at bay, and stop Kershaw and Kemp from making the Dodgers better...well, you never know.
2012 Projected Standings:
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
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