2008 MLB Preview: NL West

Meanwhile, you’ve also got Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp who are competing with Pierre for the remaining two outfield positions. Both have shown at one point or another that they belong in the MLB. Both can hit over .300 (Ethier hit .308 in ’06, Kemp hit .342 in ’07) while flashing the odd ounce of power. The battle between these two will come down to who performs better in the spring, and who can translate that success into regular season prowess.

Then we get to my favorite Dodger for obvious reasons: Canadian Russell Martin. Martin is another one of the products of Canada’s strengthened baseball program, proving that yes, we can swing more than hockey sticks in the great white North. Not only did Martin capture his first ever Gold Glove, his first Silver Slugger award, and start his first All-Star game, but he also led the catching ranks throughout the Majors in nearly every relevant offensive category so here’s hoping he does it again (especially since he’s my starting fantasy catcher). The only question about this guy is his enthusiasm—in that he wants to play EVERY game. Now that’s something you want to hear.

The middle-infield is solidified with Jeff Kent and Rafael Furcal, however this could be the final year for this duo in Dodger blue. With the possibility of Kent retiring after this season, and this being Furcal’s contract year, it seems more likely than ever that Chin-lung Hu and Tony Abreu could see significant major-league time this season, while becoming the starters in the middle-infield next season.

However, there is one year left for Frucal and Kent to make an impact. Although Kent has slowed on the defensive side of the ball, he’s still proven that he can hit the range of .285-.300 with his average, while he’s only hit fewer than 20 homers twice in the past 13 seasons.

Furcal meanwhile gives the Dodgers a compliment to Pierre at the top of the order, as the potential exists for them to interchange between the first and second spots. Even with missing some games last season, Furcal has come to the Dodgers as-advertised: his average as a Dodger is .285 (a point above his career average), while his 15 homers and 63 RBI in 2006 were career highs—an unheard of for a player just coming off of a large contract signing. Last season Furcal was hampered by leg injuries (specifically the ankle) however if he can harness some “contract-year magic” there’s a good chance that the former Brave could fetch another healthy payday on the open market.

On the corners though, the oft-injured former Red Sox shortstop No’mah Garciaparra finds his career in question once again after only two years in the Blue. Garciaparra has seen his career derail itself the past few years, as once again he’s left to battle (ironically another injury-plagued third-bagger) Andy LaRoche for the starting spot at third base. However, as LaRoche has shown with his recent thumb injury, if Nomar (currently rehabbing a wrist injury) can stay healthy, he could see the bulk of the time at third this season—provided he can keep the offensive outbursts coming.

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