BCFP Spring Training Preview NL West

Diamondbacks

Lineup- The everyday lineup is pretty much locked. The biggest question mark for me is who will lose playing time in when Gerardo Parra is in the lineup. I felt the Jason Kubel signing was among the worst moves this offseason but for whatever reason Towers and Co. think otherwise. As a big fan of Chris Youngs power and speed potential I hope it does not come at his expense.

Rotation- Like the offense all appears locked in. Given Josh Collmenter's limited track record I suppose a terrible spring by him in unison with dominance by Barry Enright could prompt a move. Dominance by Enright won't happen.


Rockies

Lineup- All appears set with the additions of veterans Casey Blake, Marco Scutaro, and Michael Cuddyer at potential question marks.

Rotation- While the lineup may be set the rotation is in turmoil. Jhoulys Chacin and Jeremy Guthrie are the only locks. Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, Esmil Rogers, Tyler Chatwood, Guillermo Moscoso, Josh Outman, and Minor League invitee Jamie Moyer will battle for the final three spots. Although Pomeranz White and Chatwood are among the Rockies top prospects no of the options offer any fantasy value outside of a NL-Only league and Streaming in mixed leagues.


Dodgers

Lineup- Outside of the majority of playing time at 3B the lineup appears sit. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jose Uribe will battle throughout spring for the 3B job. Neither offer and value outside of a NL-Only format. Hairston's flexibility makes him a marginal option in perhaps very deep mixed leagues. Jerry Sands seems to have a firm hold on the LF job but given his limited track record a bad spring coupled with a reborn Juan Rivera could see Sands begin the season in AAA.

Bullpen- Kenley Jansen is everyones choice to close for the Dodgers outside of Don Mattingly's who's is the only one that matters. Jansen's K potential can't be ignored but BB issues has always been his downfall. Guerra doesn't blow people away but he currently has the job which is the most important prerequisite for the role. A poor Spring by Guerra may make it hard for Mattingly to ignore the Jansen pressure.


Padres

Lineup- I don't know what it is about the West Coast teams and OF confusion but add the Friars to the list. Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin seem locks for the CF and one of the Corner OF spots. With 1B also open this leaves Yonder Alonso, Jesus Guzman, Chris Denofria, Kyle Blanks, and Will Venable battling for two spots. Alonso seems to be the favorite for the 1B job heading into camp but limited production combined with a hot stick could change that. From a fantasy perspective Denofria's upside doesn't exist. Jesus Guzman had a solid 2011 season but don't be fooled, nothing in his profile suggest a viable ML option day in and day out. Blanks certainly has the power but it seems as if he has fell out of favor in San Diego. Will Venable offers the most production across the board with solid power and speed numbers. When all things settle look for Venable to be in a timeshare with one of the other candidates, thus limiting both players upside.


Giants

Lineup- I suppose you could say a position battle will break out between Brandon Crawford and Ryan Theriot for SS rights but with the Giants struggles on offense I can't see Theriot not being the 5 day a week guy. The most interesting decision will be what to do with Brandon Belt. Belt will likely battle Nate Schierholtz for the final everyday roster spot. Given Aubrey Huff's defensive liabilities, Belt could be forced to play the OF more often than not. From a fantasy perspective Belt has the most value in my opinion amongst the four aforementioned players but without AB's no value can be earned.