There are six weeks until pitchers and catchers start to report to training camp. I know that, not because the calendar told me, but because Curtis Granderson told me from his Facebook page. Time is getting closer for the players to put on those uniforms, take batting practice and play some baseball. Before that day gets here(that day is March 31), we have many questions to ask and answer. Do I know the answers? No. If I did, I would be betting in Vegas and I would be really wealthy. Instead I can just ask some questions and hope some of you reading this can have the correct answers.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will look at some of the various divisions within Major League Baseball and ask some questions. I hope that some of you can answer these questions for me and have some fun doing so. This week, I will look at the National League West and ask the Big Orange Guy’s Top 5 Questions that need to be asked about the national League West.
#1 – Can the San Francisco Giants pitchers repeat their 2010 fantastic pitching? For examples, the Giants had the lowest ERA (1.78) in September since the Divisional Era began (1969). During that same month, the Giants held opposing batters to a .182 batting average. For the season, the team had an ERA of 3.36, led by Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and 20 year old Madison Baumgarner. In the bullpen, closer Brian Wilson had 48 saves. Bridging the gap to the starting pitching in 2010 was Sergio Romo and Santiagoi Casilla, who each had an ERA under 2.00 in the Giants bullpen. That is question #1, can the San Francisco Giants repeat their magical pitching in 2011?
#2 – With all the changes within the organization and the team itself, how will the Dodgers rebound in 2011? In 2010 under the direction of Joe Torre, which would turn out to be his last season with the organization, the Dodgers finished under .500. There were many players who underperformed and although their pitching staff is generally young and promising, that only amounted to 80 wins in 2010. What effect will the McCourt’s divorce have upon the team’s ability to spend money? How will the managerial change and the first time manager, Don Mattingly affect the team? Question #2, is there any chance of the Dodgers rebounding in 2011?
#3 – How long will it take Kevin Towers to rebuild the Arizona Diamondbacks? In 2010, the Dbacks were 65-97 and finished last in the NL West. Towers was hired on September 22, 2010 to be the general manager. He was previously the general manager of the San Diego Padres, leading that organization from 1995 to 2009. Can Towers ability to build an organization help the Dbacks after such a disappointing season? Can he analyze the talent within the organization and develop the younger players while bringing in outside talent? Question #3, can Kevin Towers rebuild the Diamondbacks?
#4 – Is Troy Tulowitzki worth the contract extension that he just signed? Tulowitzki signed an extension in November of 2010 negating the final three years of his existing contract and extending his contract for ten years for $157.5 million. Within this contact, there is a club option for 2021 and there can also be significant increases in salary for various awards and awards for being traded. This was his second new contract after signing a 6 year, $13 million contract after having less than 2 years of Major League experience. Tulowitzki was an All-Star in 2010, won the Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove as well. Is he worth it? He just turned 26 years old. He is considered at the top of his game and one of the top shortstops in the game. So, if you were the general manager of the Colorado Rockies, would you offered this contract?
#5 – Who is there to root for in San Diego now that Adrian Gonzalez is gone? Looking at the roster, the Padres did not just lose Gonzalez since the end of the 2010 season. Matt Stairs, Yorvit Torrealba, Miguel Tejada, Kevin Correia, Josh Barfield, Tony Gwynn and Wily Mo Pena are also gone. This team will have a final payroll around $40 million, with only $11.2 million obligated as of today. There are many young players on this team and many more unknowns. So, who will you root for and who is player on the San Diego Padres that will get our attention in 2011?
Five teams, five questions. The National League West, like every division has many questions that will be answered beginning in six weeks. Maybe you can help me by answering them now. Comment, e-mail, post do whatever you want, but answer my questions please. Until then, hope you all had a very safe and happy New Year. See you on the other side.
