Editorials

2013 NL West Round-Up: Free Agents And Off-Season Outlook

With free agency starting after the World Series, here’s a look at all the free agents and players eligible for arbitration in the NL West.

Arizona Diamondbacks



Free Agents:

Eric Chavez, Willie Bloomquist, Will Nieves

Arbitration Eligible:

Brad Ziegler, Gerardo Parra, Joe Thatcher, Tony Sipp, Daniel Hudson, Josh Collmenter

Outlook:

The Diamondbacks traded away core players last off-season and left themselves with some of big holes to fill in this upcoming offseason. After trading away Justin Upton, Jason Kubel and Chris Young, the Diamondbacks lack a power-hitting corner outfielder.

First baseman Paul Goldschimdt is their only source of power as he hit 36 bombs this past season, but Arizona will go out and try to look for some protection. General manager Kevin Towers said the team could have a payroll over $100 million as they could look at expensive free agents Marlon Byrd, Nelson Cruz or Corey Hart.

The Diamondbacks have a surplus of young pitchers and their bullpen was supposed to be strong as it’s clear they see the Dodgers as their biggest rival and will look to revamp their lineup.

Colorado Rockies

Free Agents:

Rafael Betancourt (mutual option), Matt Belisle (mutual option)

Arbitration Eligible:

Wilton Lopez, Juan Nicasio, Mitchell Boggs, Josh Outman, Jonathan Herrera, Manny Corpas

Outlook:

Well, the Rockies came out of the gates hot in 2013, but quickly fell off with the top of the order missing. Injuries to stars Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler forced rookie manager Walt Weiss to play more younger players than initially anticipated. Colorado will have them back to start 2014, even though there rumblings they could look to trade at least one of the three.

Apart from the injuries to the lineup, the Rockies bullpen was just plain bad after losing closer Rafael Betancourt to a serious elbow injury. The Rockies will look to upgrade their bullpen after finishing with a combined ERA of 4.26. The Rockies will look to shore-up its pitching with he likes of Kyle Farnsworth, who had a solid season for the Pittsburgh Pirates or Luis Ayala who helped lead the Braves to the best bullpen ERA.

Colorado will also look to look at a right-fielder, as current starter Michael Cuddyer is slated to take over first base for Todd Helton who retired. Corey Hart would fit perfectly in the thin air of Colorado.

San Diego Padres

Free Agents:

Jason Marquis, Mark Kotsay, Ronny Cedeno

Arbitration Eligible:

Chase Headley. Ian Kennedy, Clayton Richard, Luke Gregerson, Eric Stults, Andrew Cashner, Everth Cabrera, Tyson Ross, Jesus Guzman, Tim Stauffer, Kyle Blanks

Outlook:

Another season, another last place finish for the Padres as they have a slew of players that are arbitration eligible. Headley headlines the group and while many expected them to trade their franchise player, Padres management decided recently they’ll hang on to him. The Padres have been known for their strong starting pitching and they shored up their pitching late last season with the emergence of Andrew Cashner plus the addition of Ian Kennedy from the Diamondbacks.

The back-end of the rotation is what they’ll try to fill and they may take looks at Roberto Hernandez or Jason Hammel this off-season along with Chris Capuano if he’s bought out by the Dodgers.

San Francisco Giants

Free Agents:

Chad Gaudin, Javier Lopez, Andres Torres, Barry Zito (club option), Ryan Vogelsong (club option)

Arbitration Eligible:

Brandon Belt, Gregor Blanco, Jose, Mijares, Yusmeiro Petit, Joaquin Arias, Tony Abreu

Outlook:

The Giants completed another item off their off-season checklist when they  gave Tim Lincecum a two-year $35 million extension instead of letting him become a free agent. Zito is likely not to come back so the Giants will go out and look for somebody to take his spot, but they still have internal options.

The Giants also extended the contract of right fielder Hunter Pence, but they still have a vacant spot in left field to fill and should look to add some power to the lineup. If they decide to spend some money, they may take a serious look at Carlos Beltran, Shin-Soo Choo or Jacoby Ellsbury. They can also take a look at other outfield options including Nelson Cruz, Curtis Granderson or Marlon Byrd.

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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!

http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME

 

 

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

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