Baseball 2005 - preview (well, atleast for the NL West!)

Ok, I'm slowly trying to soak in all the player moves and came across a nifty little article by Chris Haft of Mercury News.

Despite the awesome additions of SS Omar Vizquel, Closer Armando Benitez, C Mike Matheny, Outfielder Moises Alou & Left-hander Jeff Fassero, I seriously think our division can be a potentially tight race!

These are some of my fears...

Los Angeles:
-It'll be great to 'hiss' at Jeff Kent again when L.A.'s in town, but he did pretty well last year with the Astros, with constant clutch hitting (.289 in 2004 and he led the club with 107 RBI);
- J.D. Drew. I think he is just gonna explode in 2005. Here's what he did last year, in his 7th year of play with the Atlanta Braves: .305 AVG, 31 HR, 93 RBI.
>>>Granted, the Dodgers lost 3B Adrian Beltre to Seattle (Beltre went crazy in 2004, hitting 48 HR, batting .334 with 121 RBI), and lost Steve Finley (in his late 30's, Finley was still able to pull of some good numbers in 2004: .271 AVG, 36 HR, 96 RBI), BUT... Kent & Drew will bring a lot to the field

Arizona Diamondbacks:
- Key losses, but I'm worried about ANY team with RHP Russ Ortiz in their rotation!
- Plus, Troy Glaus, Royce Clayton and Craig Counsell in the infield - YIKES!
- Oh, and did I mention the unhealthy fear of Russ Ortiz!

Not so worried about the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies, but I'm still keepin my eye on the Pads' Jake Peavy (in 2004, 15-6, with a 2.27 ERA).


Ok, back to my boys...

Pedro Feliz. I'm expecting even more out of this guy. No set position, but what a clutch utility guy. I seriously think he's played every position but 1 and 2! That's versatility - and he's played each position with veteran-like awareness and confidence, IMHO. His body type and swing changed dramatically from the 2003 season to 2004.

Edgardo Alfonzo has been hard at work apparently. According to Rich Draper of MLB.com, he's shed nearly 18 lbs. in the offseason and has played solid Winter ball in his native Venezuela. You go, boy! I want my money's worth this season!

Ok, all for now.
-o