National League West preview

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 2, 2007 at midnight

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Arizona Diamondbacks

• Manager: Doug Melvin, signed through 2008 with option for 2009.

• What's ahead: The bullpen is a mess and the lineup has youthful promise without having that legitimate middle-of-the-order bat. The key for Arizona is a rotation that features durability. RHP Livan Hernandez has worked 200-plus innings each of the last seven seasons, and RHP Brandon Webb and LHP Randy Johnson have reached that level each of the last three. Hernandez, though, had a winning record twice in the last six years.

• Under the microscope: Johnson convinced Arizona to give him a two- year, $28 million deal even though he is 43 and coming off back surgery.

• Quickly: Johnson, 43, recovering from back surgery, was placed on the disabled list and will be out until May 20. RHP Enrique Gonzalez replaced him in the rotation. . . . RF Carlos Quentin was sidelined March 16 with a torn labrum in his (nonthrowing) left shoulder. Scott Hairston was in left field with Eric Byrnes moved to right.

• Disabled list: Johnson, OF Carlos Quentin, OF Jeff DaVanon.

Colorado Rockies

• Manager: Clint Hurdle, final year of contract.

• What's ahead: It's time for the Rockies to be a factor in the NL West. It's Year 3 of the rebuilding program, and the nucleus now knows it can play at the big league level. There is depth with OF/INF Jeff Baker and INF Jamey Carroll coming off the bench. The rotation, led by Opening Day starter Aaron Cook, needs to assert itself, though.

• Under the microscope: RHP Cook needs to step into the ace role, and the Rockies need RHP Rodrigo Lopez to regain the 200-plus inning, 15-win form he showed in Baltimore.

• Quickly: C Chris Iannetta, SS Troy Tulowitzki and RHP Jason Hirsh, all rookies, earned roster spots. . . . RHP Josh Fogg beat out RHP Byung-Hyun Kim for the fifth starter spot, drawing complaints from Kim that he didn't get a fair chance. . . . CF Cory Sullivan lost his starting job to former Astros player Willy Taveras, and the backup job to veteran 42-year-old Steve Finley, winding up at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

• Disabled list: RHP Brian Lawrence, LHP Tom Martin.

LosAngeles Dodgers

• Manager: Grady Little, signed through 2008 with option for 2009.

• What's ahead: The Dodgers were one team in the division that added definite help in the offseason, signing free agent stating pitchers Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf, strengthening what already was the strongest pitching staff in the division. The offense is fragile. They are a Jeff Kent or Normar Garciaparra injury away from falling into oblivion.

• Under the microscope: CF Juan Pierre works harder than anyone in the game, but with a five-year, $44 million deal, comes public expectations of greatness, not just sweat.

• Quickly: RHP Brett Tomko won the battle for the fifth starter job. . . . SS Rafael Furcal suffered a sprained left ankle, and fourth OF Jason Repko suffered a high hamstring injury and underwent surgery last week. Brady Clark was acquired Monday from the Brewers for reliever Elmer Dessens. . . Little had the option for 2008 in his contract picked up with another option added for 2009.

• Disabled list: Furcal.

San Diego Padres

• Manager: Buddy Black, signed through 2008 with an option for 2009.

• What's ahead: The Padres can be a factor because of a pitching staff that gains confidence at home. Petco Park is the most pitcher-friendly place in baseball, and the key to the Padres leading the majors in ERA last year. The lineup needs a big bat to emerge, which is what the Padres hope they found when they dealt 2B Josh Barfield to Cleveland for 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff and signed 2B Marcus Giles.

• Under the microscope: RHP Jake Peavy is supposed to be the ace of the Padres rotation, and received long-term security, but shoulder problems became a concern in struggles of 2006.

• Quickly: LHP David Wells was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He has had a massive change in his lifestyle, eliminating almost all alcohol. . . . OF Terrmel Sledge hit six home runs, won the left field job and eased concerns about making a deal, allowing the Padres to keep RHP Scott Linebrink. . . . SS Khalil Greene, who has battled injuries during his career, did not get hurt.

San Francisco Giants

• Manager: Bruce Bochy, signed through 2009.

• What's ahead: The Giants created a stir with the record-setting contract to LHP Barry Zito, but he merely allows them to maintain, not get better. He replaces RHP Jason Schmidt, the ace of the staff who went to the Dodgers as a free agent, receiving half the deal of Zito. The season can wear on this aging team that initially announced plans to get younger, then re-signed Barry Bonds and added more veterans.

• Under the microscope: Bonds has Hank Aaron's all-time home run record in his sights, and is in the sights of federal investigators curious about steroid useage.

• Quickly: Bonds showed he was healthier than he has been at any time since 2004, and accepted Bochy's decision to move from fourth to third in the lineup. . . . RHP Matt Cain, who has slightly more than one year in the big leagues, signed a four-year, $9 million contract. . . . RHP Russ Ortiz, being paid all but the major league minimum $380,000 of his $7 million salary by Arizona, won the fifth spot in the rotation.

Difference makers

Diamondbacks

LHP Randy Johnson

Making $14 million at 43, coming off back surgery.

Rockies

RHP Rodrigo Lopez

15 wins, 200 IP would offset loss of Jason Jennings.

Dodgers

2B Jeff Kent

Huge hole in lineup if he repeats 14 home runs of 2006.

Padres

3B Kevin Kouzmanoff

Being asked to become first power 3B since Ken Caminiti.

Giants

2B Ray Durham

Hitting behind Barry Bonds means RBI opportunities.

Odds and predictions: NL West

Odds posted by online casino Bodog.com heading into Opening Day; predicted order of finish by Rocky Mountain News baseball writers Tracy Ringolsby and Jack Etkin:

Team Division NLCS WS Tracy's picks Jack's picks

Los Angeles Dodgers 1-1 4-1 10-1 First First

San Diego 3-1 10-1 25-1 Third Second

San Francisco 4-1 13-1 25-1 Fifth Fifth

Arizona 7-2 14-1 30-1 Fourth Fourth

Colorado 15-2 35-1 60-1 Second Third

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