The Giants certainly look to be one of the favorites, thanks again to a talented pitching staff. But the Los Angeles Dodgers and their huge payroll will present an interesting challenge for the Giants this season.
Here is how we predict it will play out and who will win the National League West division this season.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers - 86-76; second place finish in 2012
Rationale: The Dodgers are buoyed by the huge payroll that was previously mentioned, thanks in part to the huge trade they executed with the Boston Red Sox last season and also because of some free agent moves. Adrian Gonzalez came over in that trade and people are seemingly forgetting just how good the first baseman is. He is a stud and should provide protection to Matt Kemp, who still may be the best overall player in the National League if he can stay healthy. The pitching staff was bolstered by the signing of Zack Greinke, but it is Clayton Kershaw who leads the staff and who should compete for another NL Cy Young Award.
Player to watch: Hanley Ramirez
Ramirez will start the season on the disabled list, but when he returns, he will be back at shortstop. It should be interesting to see how Ramirez plays defensively after spending last season at third base and maybe this will be the year he fulfills all of the promise offensively at the plate.
Biggest concern: Chemistry
Last year, after all of the acquisitions, there were rumors of poor clubhouse chemistry, which should be expected when the room is filled with so many well-paid superstars. Manager Don Mattingly will have a tough task and must get everyone on the same page.
2. San Francisco Giants - 94-68; first place finish in 2012
Rationale: The Giants return most of last year's World Series team, so why do we have them finishing below the Dodgers? It is simple. It is because of the grind of a 162 game season after playing so deep into October. It may be difficult for Buster Posey to repeat the incredible season he posted in 2012, but look for Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt to make drastic improvements at the plate.
Player to watch: Tim Lincecum
Lincecum is a wildcard for this team at this point. Will he be the two-time Cy Young Award wining version? Or the version that was relegated to bullpen duty last season? If Lincecum is good in 2013, the Giants may be nearly impossible to beat.
Biggest concern: Bullpen
As mentioned, playing deep into October can have lingering affects, particularly on a team's bullpen. Sergio Romo was excellent as the closer late last season, but can he do it again in a full-time role in 2013? Santiago Casilla and Jeremy Affeldt also shouldered big loads last season.
3. San Diego Padres - 76-86; fourth place finish in 2012
Rationale: The Padres played some very good baseball during the second half of 2012 and should be able to carry that momentum into 2013. As is tradition, the Padres offense struggled in 2012, ranking 23rd in runs scored. But now the fences have been moved in at Petco Park and the young, talented hitters in the Padres' lineup should benefit. Chase Headley, although hurt to begin the season, is a bona-fide all-star. First baseman Yonder Alonso did not put up big power numbers, but can drive in runs. The starting pitching is average, but the bullpen is outstanding enough to make some noise in the division.
Player to watch: Jedd Gyorko
Gyorko will provide some major pop for the Padres this season. Gyorko will start the season at third base, but will move to second once Headley returns in order to get his bat in the lineup. Gyorko hit 30 home runs and drove in 100 runs in the minors last season.
Biggest concern: Starting pitching
Anytime your opening day starter is Edinson Volquez, it should raise concerns. Volquez can be nasty, but he is awfully erratic and won't have the benefit of a huge park now that the fences have been brought in.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks - 81-81; third place finish in 2012
Rationale: The Diamondbacks finally moved Justin Upton this off-season and are ready to move on, which should be good now that the saga is over. But are the D-backs better without Upton? Martin Prado, who came over in the trade, is a nice player that can get on base at the top of the lineup. Miguel Montero is an outstanding hitting catcher, but gets overshadowed in the National League because of Posey and Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals. The pitching staff is solid too, led by Ian Kennedy. But do the Diamondbacks have enough fire power to compete in this division without Upton around? We don't think so.
Player to watch: Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt is poised to have a breakout season after hitting 20 home runs and knocking in 82 RBIs in his first full season at the big league level. Goldschmidt can run too. He stole 18 bases in 2012.
Biggest concern: Wade Miley
Miley was the best rookie pitcher in the National League last season, but is experiencing some "dead-arm" this spring. The Diamondbacks' rotation desperately needs Miley to be throwing the ball well if they hope to compete in 2013.
5. Colorado Rockies - 64-98; last place finish in 2012
Rationale: Offense is not a problem in Colorado. It never has been and especially won't be in 2013 with guys like Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki ready and healthy. The Rockies have a talented offensive team. The pitching, on the other hand, is just awful. Not only do the Rockies play in a hitter's park, but they also likely have the worst pitching staff in all of baseball. No amount of offense can make up for how bad the pitching is in Colorado, which is why the Rockies will finish last in the division.
Player to watch: Tulowitzki
Rumors are flying that the Rockies are shopping their talented shortstop before his annual salary skyrockets to $20 million per season in 2015. If Tulowitzki is healthy and productive, he will have plenty of suitors.
Biggest concern: The pitching
The pitching staff in Colorado is really bad and nearly to epic proportions. There really isn't anything else to say.
This MLB preview has been compiled as part of the March project for the United Cardinal Bloggers. You can check out the links for the rest of the previews from other members of the group here.