Editorials

NL West Round-Up: Another Quiet Week Brings In The New Year

MLB: San Diego Padres at San Francisco GiantsThe season is now just a little under four months away and teams are preparing for Spring Training in just over a month. The NL West teams are getting ready to try and dethrone the Dodgers in the division race.

Here are the moves and rumors around the NL West this week:



Arizona Diamondbacks

Another week passed with the Diamondbacks standing still and not making any moves. The team is still considered to be in the running for Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. They would be considered one of the “sleeper” teams for the pitchers as the Mariners, Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs have been named frontrunners for the 25-year-old’s services.

The team was mentioned in one rumor this week, as it was reported that they would be interested in dealing reliever J.J. Putz after acquiring Addison Reed earlier this off-season. Putz will make $7 million in 2014 and the Diamondbacks would like to move him.

Colorado Rockies

The biggest news from Colorado this week didn’t come from any trades or signings but from a guilty plea by Rockies’ co-owner Charlie Monfort. He was arrested on November 5 for speeding and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol. Monfort was given 24 months of supervised probation and sobriety programs.

The Rockies were busy this off-season, improving their team on the field but may be done until Spring Training. The team is looking to improve from their last-place finish in 2013.

San Diego Padres

The Padres made a minor-league signing of infielder Brooks Conrad. The utility player is best known for his time with the Atlanta Braves when he broke the record for most pinch-hit grand slams in a season and then tied the record for most errors in an NLDS game. The deal didn’t include an invite to spring training.

GM Josh Byrnes also announced that they’re ready to go into the season with third baseman Chase Headley on a one-year deal. The Padres and Headley have been working on a long-term deal and Headley believes it can still be done.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants released first baseman Brett Pill in order for him to be able to head to play in Korea for the Kia Tigers. Pill wouldn’t have been able to get any playing time with the team, as they have Brandon Belt, Buster Posey and Mike Morse slotted to get time at the position. The Giants received a transfer fee of about $500,000.

Not much else happened in San Francisco and it also seems that they are content heading into next season. The Giants are looking to head back to the top of the NL West after finishing in fourth place last year.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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