True Blue LA - 2015-2016 National League West offseason reviewsWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2016-02-19T08:24:51-08:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/107975952016-02-19T08:24:51-08:002016-02-19T08:24:51-08:00Dodgers offseason review
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-XBscs2-TRu-HtUqJkvD3dJjgLg=/0x118:4305x2988/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48877793/usa-today-9042035.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After taking a look around the rest of the National League West, it's time to turn the magnifying glass inward and inspect the offseason of the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>.</p>
<h4>Snapshot</h4>
<p><b>2015 record</b>: 92-70, first place NL West</p>
<p>Other beat writers to follow: <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick" target="_blank">@kengurnick</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr" target="_blank">@billplunkettocr</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra" target="_blank">@jphoornstra</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughTimes" target="_blank">@McCulloughTimes</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/billshaikin" target="_blank">@billshaikin</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DougPadilla" target="_blank">@DougPadilla</a></p>
<h4>Free agents</h4>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left"><b><u>In</u></b></td>
<td align="left"><b><u>Out</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="top">Scott Kazmir lhp<br>Kenta Maeda rhp<br>Joe Blanton rhp<br>Louis Coleman rhp<br><span>Brandon Beachy</span> rhp</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">
<span>Zack Greinke</span> rhp (Ari)<br><span>Justin Ruggiano</span> of (Tex)<br>Juan Nicaso rhp (Pit)<br><span>Jim Johnson</span> rhp (Atl)<br><span>Joel Peralta</span> rhp (Sea)<br><span>Chris Heisey</span> of (Was)<br><span>Bronson Arroyo</span> rhp (Was)<br><span>Jimmy Rollins</span> ss</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>The big loss was obviously Greinke, and to a division rival, but more on that in a minute. The club also retained free agents <span>Brett Anderson</span> (accepted a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer), Howie Kendrick (two years, $20 million after his market cratered) and Chase Utley (one year, $7 million).</p>
<h4>Trades/waivers</h4>
<p>Oct. 14: Right-handed pitcher <span>Brooks Brown</span> was claimed off waivers from Colorado. He was later sent outright to Triple-A.</p>
<p>Oct. 21: Right-handed pitcher <span>Lisalverto Bonilla</span> was claimed off waivers from Texas. He was later non-tendered, then signed to a minor league deal.</p>
<p>Dec. 16: Acquired pitcher Frankie Montas, outfielder <span>Trayce Thompson</span> and infielder Micah Johnson from the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Reds</a> in a three-team trade that sent outfielder <span>Scott Schebler</span>, infielder Jose Peraza and minor league infielder <span>Brandon Dixon</span> from the Dodgers to the Reds, and Todd Frazier from Cincinnati to Chicago.</p>
<p>Jan. 12: Traded Joe Wieland to the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a> for minor league infielder <span>Erick Mejia</span>.</p>
<p><span>Daniel Fields</span> and <span>Danny Reynolds</span> were claimed off waivers, then eventually lost on waivers. <span>Tyler Olson</span> was traded for, then eventually sent with <span>Ronald Torreyes</span> to the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> for corner man <span>Rob Segedin</span>, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee.</p>
<h4>Notable NRIs</h4>
<p>Old friend <span>Elian Herrera</span> is back after two years in Milwaukee, and his ability to play infield and outfield fits right in with the Dodgers' lust for roster versatility. With the depth ahead of him Herrera faces long odds of making the big league club in camp, but he could find his way to Los Angeles at some point in 2016.</p>
<p>The Dodgers' <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/nri">group of 23 non-roster invitees</a> is full of impressive young prospects like <span>Julio Urias</span>, <span>Jose De Leon</span> and <span>Cody Bellinger</span>, plus others from the farm like Chase De Jong, <span>Jacob Rhame</span> and Caleb Dirks, who get to experience big league camp for the first time.</p>
<h4>Just deserts</h4>
<p>If the Dodgers were to lose Greinke to a division rival, it was expected to be the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>, who were in hot pursuit of the right-hander who put up a Cy Young Award-worthy season in 2015, one of the best pitching seasons in Dodgers history and in his three years with the Dodgers was one of the best pitchers in baseball.</p>
<p>But instead, a different division rival swooped in, with the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> blowing everyone out of the water with a six-year, $206.5 million contract for Greinke. The Dodgers reported offer was five years and $155-160 million, with the team balking at a sixth year and roughly $34-39 million more for Greinke's age-37 season (because of the deferrals in Greinke's contract with Arizona, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/arizona-diamondbacks/">MLB valued the deal the equivalent of just under $194 million</a>).</p>
<p>There is no question that Greinke is a huge loss for the Dodgers, and someone who will be tough to replace. The Dodgers chose to do so with depth (more on that in a second), with helps fuel the seemingly prevailing perception that the club isn't going all in, especially while division rivals Arizona (signing Greinke, trading for <span>Shelby Miller</span>) and San Francisco (Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija) adding big-ticket items to their shopping cart.</p>
<p>But reducing analyses to such simple terms belies the fact that baseball is a complicated game, with many ways, and many players needed, to win. Having Greinke would no doubt have been great for the Dodgers, and was perhaps the preferred option, but after three years with a healthy Clayton Kershaw and Greinke atop the pitching staff producing three division titles but only one playoff series win suggests there just might be more to this whole success thing, and that having them both <i>at all costs</i> doesn't guarantee a thing.</p>
<p>We probably should have seen Greinke leaving sooner, as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman laid the ground work back when <span>Dave Roberts</span> was hired.</p>
<p>"The free agent market when you look back over time hasn't necessarily resulted in helping teams win in October. There's just not that high of a correlation between them," Friedman reasoned. "On one hand by making a big splash you might win the winter headlines, but more often than not you aren't having a parade at the end of October."</p>
<h4>Not so fast</h4>
<p>The other lens through which the Dodgers' offseason has been viewed is that the club is on Plan E or Plan F, having failed to execute its original plans. Two notable, and public, deals that fell apart helped fuel this fire.</p>
<p>The club tried to make up for the loss of Greinke with a three-year, $45 million deal for <span>Hisashi Iwakuma</span>, but after the agreement was reported Iwakuma failed his physical, and ended up returning to Seattle for a much smaller guarantee, a one-year, $12 million deal with two option years.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Dodgers 2016 projected active roster </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><u>Pos</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Player</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Age</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><b><u>Salary</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Yasmani Grandal <font color="#0000ff">(S)</font>
</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Adrian Gonzalez <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>34</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$21,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Howie Kendrick</td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Justin Turner</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">SS</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Corey Seager <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>22</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Andre Ethier <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>34</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$18,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Joc Pederson <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Yasiel Puig</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Carl Crawford <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>34</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$20,750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF/OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Kiké Hernandez</td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">A.J. Ellis</td>
<td>35</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$4,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF/1B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Scott Van Slyke</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,225,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Chase Utley</td>
<td>37</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$7,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$32,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Scott Kazmir</td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$8,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Kenta Maeda</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$4,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Brett Anderson</span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$15,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Hyun-jin Ryu</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$7,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CL</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Kenley Jansen</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$10,650,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Chris Hatcher</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,065,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Joe Blanton</td>
<td>35</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$4,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">J.P. Howell</td>
<td>33</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$6,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Louis Coleman</td>
<td>30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Pedro Baez</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Luis Avilan</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,390,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Other</td>
<td colspan="2" style="text-align: left;" align="left">Arruebarrena, Beachy, Tabata, Kemp, McCarthy, Morse, Guerrero</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$25,937,158</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><b>Total (21 players+)</b></td>
<td colspan="2" align="right"><b>$208,717,158</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4"><i>*as of June 30, 2016</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span>Special thanks: <a target="new" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/colorado-rockies/">Cot's</a> <br><br>Caveat: This is my best guess at the 25-man roster, knowing that the final two or three spots could very well change. </span>
</div>
<p>The other transaction that was done was the acquisition of closer Aroldis Chapman from the Reds at the winter meetings, but the Dodgers pulled out after reports of a domestic violence incident at Chapman's home surfaced.</p>
<p>"As was reported we did come to an agreement in principle on a deal, but as the details that emerged came to light we just weren't comfortable making the move," general manager Farhan Zaidi said in December. "Every situation like this is different, and every organization has to make their own decision about it. We made the decision based on the information that was at hand, and we stand by it. We've moved on from there."</p>
<h4>Depth</h4>
<p>While the Dodgers didn't secure Greinke, Iwakuma or Chapman despite their intentions, the club did build an incredibly deep roster.</p>
<p>Scott Kazmir slotted in at essentially the Iwakuma contract - Kazmir got three years and $48 million - but with an opt-out after 2016. Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda, with reported elbow issues of his own despite (or more likely, because of) averaging 200 innings over the last seven years in Japan, signed one of the most team-friendly contracts around, accepting most of the risk with an eight-year, $25 million deal, with incentives that can push the deal north of $106 million.</p>
<p>The Dodgers got a perfectly serviceable 4.05 ERA and 4.01 FIP in 46 starts in 2015 out of Mike Bolsinger, Carlos Frias and Alex Wood, and those three could be on the outside looking in once Hyun-jin Ryu is healthy and back from his shoulder surgery.</p>
<p>The club inserted itself into the Todd Frazier deal, swapping three prospects for three that fit this roster a little better, most notably Trayce Thompson as a potential fourth or fifth outfielder (though now sixth, it seems) and Frankie Montas as a potential bullpen piece, though he is currently sidelined for up to four months after surgery to remove a rib.</p>
<p>The coup of the offseason was waiting out the Howie Kendrick market, and having the flexibility to swoop in when he was still available in February, bringing back the second baseman for a very reasonable two-year, $20 million deal.</p>
<p>"We know we have the talent and the depth that we need to have to win the division," first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. "We're the deepest team in baseball. We'll be able to afford basically any injury. A lot of teams can't say that. Talent wise, we're at the top."</p>
<h4>Avatars worth watching</h4>
<p>More depth means more new players and more awesome photoshop jobs on Twitter.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Best of 2015 has to include Dodgers pitchers' avatars <a href="https://twitter.com/BMcCarthy32">@BMcCarthy32</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettAnderson35">@BrettAnderson35</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/frankmontas">@frankmontas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/scottkazmir19">@scottkazmir19</a> <a href="https://t.co/qOUEjuqyuN">pic.twitter.com/qOUEjuqyuN</a></p>
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) <a href="https://twitter.com/truebluela/status/682632011043868672">December 31, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<h4>Outlook</h4>
<p>After 278 wins and three straight division titles, the Dodgers might not have raised their ceiling this offseason, but they certainly increased their floor. It's hard to see a scenario in which they aren't in prime contention for a fourth straight division title.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/2/19/11058614/los-angeles-dodgers-offseason-review-2016Eric Stephen2016-02-18T06:00:02-08:002016-02-18T06:00:02-08:00Rockies offseason review
<figure>
<img alt="Manager Walt Weiss is back for a fourth season in Denver." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KlNN_fOW9hVRyYiJrUYpinjiTCI=/0x0:4915x3277/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48853971/usa-today-8982844.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Manager Walt Weiss is back for a fourth season in Denver. | Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Up next in our review of the offseason of National League West teams is the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>, who have finished in last place three times in the last five years.</p>
<h4>Snapshot</h4>
<p><b>2015 record</b>: 68-94, fifth place NL West</p>
<p><b>2016 Rockies games in LA</b>: June 6-8, July 1-3, September 22-25<br><b>2016 Dodgers games in Col</b>: April 22-24, August 2-4, August 29-31</p>
<p>More info: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a></p>
<p>Beat writers to follow: <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/harding_at_mlb">@harding_at_mlb</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/psaundersdp">@psaundersdp</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/nickgroke">@nickgroke</a></p>
<h4>Free agents</h4>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left"><b><u>In</u></b></td>
<td align="left"><b><u>Out</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" align="left">Gerardo Parra of<br>Mark Reynolds 1b<br>Jason Motte rhp<br>Chad Qualls rhp</td>
<td valign="top" align="left">
<span>Justin Morneau</span> 1b<br><span>Kyle Kendrick</span> rhp (Atl)<br>John Axford rhp (Oak)<br><span>Wilin Rosario</span> c/1b (KBO)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>The big additions were the two relievers, who will help. See below.</p>
<h4>Trades/waivers</h4>
<p>Oct. 14: Lost pitcher <span>Brooks Brown</span> on waivers to the Dodgers.</p>
<p>Nov. 24: Traded pitcher Tommy Kahnle to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> for minor league pitcher <span>Yency Almonte</span>.</p>
<p>Nov. 25: Traded pitcher Rex Brothers to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> for minor league pitcher Wander Cabrera.</p>
<p>Jan. 28: Traded outfielder <span>Corey Dickerson</span> and minor league third baseman Kevin Padlo to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> for pitchers <span>Jake McGee</span> and <span>German Marquez</span>.</p>
<p>Feb. 5: Lost pitcher Christian Friedrich on waivers to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>.</p>
<h4>Notable NRIs</h4>
<p><span>Noel Cuevas</span> is one of the non-roster invitees to Rockies big league camp. The outfielder was traded by the Dodgers to Colorado last offseason as the player to be named later in the deal for Juan Nicasio.</p>
<p>Old friend <span>Alex Castellanos</span> is also with the Rockies, on a minor league deal, but <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/2016/2/17/10992136/colorado-rockies-alex-castellanos-albuquerque-isotopes-pacific-coast-league-mlb-spring-training">has no invitation to big league camp in spring training</a>.</p>
<h4>Pen is mightier</h4>
<p>The Rockies were aggressive in adding to its relief staff, signing veterans Jason Motte and Chad Qualls to two-year deals. Motte hasn't been the same since recovering from Tommy John surgery, putting up a 4.17 ERA, 4.59 FIP and 16.1-percent strikeout rate in the last two seasons compared to a 2.43 ERA, 2.94 FIP and 26.9-percent K rate with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> in 2010-2012, before the surgery. Perhaps the Rockies are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Motte, now further removed from his elbow procedure.</p>
<p>Qualls has been effective, putting up a 3.38 ERA and 3.32 FIP over the last three years to go along with 1 20.7-percent strikeout rate. But the real prize was Jake McGee, acquired from the Rays. The left-hander has a career 2.77 ERA and 2.58 FIP in his career, and a 30.8-percent strikeout rate.</p>
<p>Colorado relievers in 2015 ranked last in ERA (4.70), FIP (4.56), strikeout rate (17.6 percent) and walk rate (9.2 percent).</p>
<h4>Suspended animation</h4>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Rockies 2016 projected active roster </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><u>Pos</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Player</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Age</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><b><u>Salary</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Nick Hundley</span></td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$3,150,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Ben Paulsen <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>DJ LeMahieu</span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$3,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Nolan Arenado</span></td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">SS</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Jose Reyes <font color="#0000ff">(S)</font>
</td>
<td>33</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$22,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Gerardo Parra <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$8,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<span>Charlie Blackmon</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$3,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">
<span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$17,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">
<span>Daniel Descalso</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B/3B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Mark Reynolds</td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Dustin Garneau</span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Brandon Barnes</span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">
<span>Cristhian Adames</span> <font color="#0000ff">(S)</font>
</td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Jorge De La Rosa</td>
<td>35</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$12,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Jordan Lyles</span></td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,975,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Tyler Chatwood</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Chad Bettis</span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Jon Gray</span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CL</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Jake McGee</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$4,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Jason Motte</td>
<td>34</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Chad Qualls</td>
<td>37</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Boone Logan</span></td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$6,250,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Justin Miller</span></td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Jairo Diaz</span></td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Adam Ottavino</td>
<td>30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><b>Total (17 players)</b></td>
<td align="right" colspan="2"><b>$102,925,000</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4"><i>*as of June 30, 2016</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span>Special thanks: <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/colorado-rockies/" target="new">Cot's</a> <br><br>Caveat: This is my best guess at the 25-man roster, knowing that the final two or three spots could very well change. </span>
</div>
<p>With Jose Reyes facing <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2016/1/15/10774772/colorado-rockies-jose-reyes-mlb-news-domestic-violence-trial-hawaii" target="_blank">a criminal trial stemming from an offseason incident with his wife</a>, the question isn't if he will be suspended under Major League Baseball's new domestic violence policy but <i>for how long</i>.</p>
<p>Reyes is due $22 million in 2015, and if he were to be suspended for 25 games, for instance, that's just over $3 million the Rockies wouldn't have to pay, and it could be even longer.</p>
<p>That saved money could go toward shortstop <span>Ian Desmond</span>, still out there on the free agent market and the Rockies <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2016/2/16/11029344/colorado-rockies-ian-desmond-free-agent-shortstop-mlb-rumors-spring-training" target="_blank">are apparently interested</a>. That would cost a draft pick if the Rockies signed Desmond, which would seem antithetical to their roster rebuild.</p>
<h4>What direction?</h4>
<p>But are the Rockies rebuilding? As mentioned they signed two veteran relievers to two-year contracts, though only for a total of $16 million. Those, coupled with three years and $27.5 million for Gerardo Parra seem like reasonably fine moves in a vacuum, but more the types of moves a team closer to contention would make.</p>
<p>The Rockies have averaged over 93 losses the last five years, never losing fewer than 88 games in a season during that span.</p>
<p>But they traded four years of Dickerson for two years of McGee, something a team in contention might do. All is not lost though, as McGee can easily be flipped either in July or next offseason, and one would think <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> and/or Charlie Blackmon could fetch a nice return if put on the market. The sooner that Colorado realizes it is in a rebuild, the better for them.</p>
<h4>The plan</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jeff Bridich is rebuilding the 2014 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a>, a conspiracy solved: <a href="https://t.co/DXaSod2VjE">https://t.co/DXaSod2VjE</a> <a href="https://t.co/WowhWlCoej">pic.twitter.com/WowhWlCoej</a></p>
— rockies season (@rockiesVSconnor) <a href="https://twitter.com/rockiesVSconnor/status/690579747047391233">January 22, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<h4>Outlook</h4>
<p>The bullpen is improved and the club will probably hit, but the Rockies don't have he starting pitching to contend in this division. With the Dodgers depth and the improvements from San Francisco and Arizona I think Colorado is headed for another 90-loss season, or close to it.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/2/18/10988442/colorado-rockies-offseason-review-2016Eric Stephen2016-02-17T08:58:43-08:002016-02-17T08:58:43-08:00Diamondbacks offseason review
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Pkwc3Xj_x-lRP4_VUapqk-Gg-yY=/0x109:3645x2539/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48742437/usa-today-8989842.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our National League West offseason reviews now turn to the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>, who had quite an offseason to remember. The only question is whether that will translate into a postseason run immediately in the desert.</p>
<h4>Snapshot</h4>
<p><b>2015 record</b>: 79-83, third place NL West</p>
<p><b>2016 Diamondbacks games in LA</b>: April 12-14, July 29-31, September 5-7<br><b>2016 Dodgers games in Arizona</b>: June 13-15, July 15-17, September 15-18</p>
<p>More info: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/">AZ Snake Pit</a></p>
<p>Beat writers to follow: <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/nickpiecoro">@nickpiecoro</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SteveGilbertMLB">@stevegilbertmlb</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JackMagruder">@jackmagruder</a></p>
<h4>Free agents</h4>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left"><b><u>In</u></b></td>
<td align="left"><b><u>Out</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="top">
<span>Zack Greinke</span> rhp<br><span>Tyler Clippard</span> rhp</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">
<span>David Hernandez</span> rhp (Phi)<br>Jarrod Saltalamacchia c (Det)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>Just two major league free agents were signed by the Diamondbacks, but Arizona made the big one count by swooping in and stealing Zack Greinke away from the pursuing Dodgers and <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>. Greinke got $206.5 million from the D-backs over six years, a record average annual value of $34.4 million.</p>
<p>Even factoring in the deferred salary the total deal is valued <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/arizona-diamondbacks/">at roughly $194 million</a>, still beating the Dodgers' reported offer of five years and between $155 and $160 million. At the very least, adding Greinke to the mix gives Arizona a seat at the big boy table in the National League West.</p>
<p>Tyler Clippard has averaged 73 games, 77 innings, 86 strikeouts a 2.67 ERA and 3.40 FIP in the last six seasons, and signed a two-year, $12.25 million deal, adding stability to the back end of Arizona's bullpen. He was one of <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/1/21/10804558/jp-howell-dodgers-middle-relief-market-2016" target="_blank">several free agent relievers this offseason to have signed for at least $6 million per year</a>.</p>
<h4>Trades/waivers</h4>
<p>Nov. 10: Acquired first baseman <span>Daniel Palka</span> from the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Twins</a> for catcher <span>Chris Herrmann</span>.</p>
<p>Nov. 14: Traded Jeremy Hellickson to <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> for pitcher Sam McWilliams.</p>
<p>Nov. 25: Traded pitcher <span>Allen Webster</span> to the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pirates</a> for cash.</p>
<p>Dec. 11: Acquired pitchers <span>Shelby Miller</span> and Gabe Speier from the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> in exchange for outfielder <span>Ender Inciarte</span>, pitcher <span>Aaron Blair</span> and shortstop Dansby Swanson.</p>
<p>Dec. 16: Lost pitcher <span>A.J. Schugel</span> off waivers to <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a>.</p>
<p>Jan. 13: Acquired pitcher Cody Hill from the Giants for a player to be named later.</p>
<p>Jan. 30: Acquired infielder Jean Segura and pitcher <span>Tyler Wagner</span> from the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Brewers</a> for infielder Aaron Hill, pitcher Chase Anderson, infielder Isan Diaz and $6.5 million.</p>
<p>The two big trades were to get Miller and Segura, but not so much for what the Diamondbacks got, but rather for the industry-wide speculation that Arizona overpaid in the deals.</p>
<p>"Worst trade I've ever seen," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/arizona-diamondbacks-shelby-miller-trade-atlanta-braves-dont-care-criticism-dansby-swanson-120815">an executive told Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports</a> in December about the Miller trade, which included 2015 No. 1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson leading the haul going to Atlanta.</p>
<p>At least in the Miller trade, the Diamondbacks got three years of a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher coming their way. The trade with Milwaukee seemed more about saving $5.5 million of Hill's salary, and giving up highly-touted infield prospect Isan Diaz to do so, than it did about acquiring shortstop Jean Segura, who will turn 26 in March but has hit just .252/.285/.311 combined in the last two seasons.</p>
<h4>Notable NRIs</h4>
<p>A trio of old friends are in big league camp with Arizona — outfielder <span>Kyle Jensen</span> and left-handed relief pitchers <span>Scott Rice</span> and <span>Wesley Wright</span>.</p>
<h4>Winning the offseason</h4>
<p>With the additions of Greinke and Miller in December, it was hard to avoid discussion about the baseball offseason that didn't include the Diamondbacks among the "winners" of the offseason, and contenders if not among the favorites in the National League West.</p>
<p>It sounded familiar to the Dodgers.</p>
<p>"Last year we were talking about the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Padres</a> being so good," first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. "You're obviously going to have certain teams that so-called experts will say can do this or that."</p>
<p>"If you look at last year with the Padres, they got huge pieces that everybody thought was going to make them a huge team, and that didn't work out very well," said outfielder Scott Van Slyke.</p>
<p>"The free agent market when you look back over time hasn't necessarly resulted in helping teams win in October. There's just not that high of a correlation between them," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said in December <i>before Greinke chose Arizona</i>. "On one hand by making a big splash you might win the winter headlines, but more often than not you aren't having a parade at the end of October."</p>
<h4>(Yas)many outfielders</h4>
<p>Part of the massive package sent to the Braves in the Shelby Miller trade was outfielder Ender Inciarte, entering his age-25 season and with five seasons before eligible for free agency. Inciarte hit .303/.338/.408 in 2015, but the disparity in his Wins Above Replacement had to do with Baseball-Reference (5.3 WAR) loving his defense in right field much more than FanGraphs (3.3 WAR).</p>
<p>Still, Inciarte was a valuable player with whom to part, but Arizona felt they have the outfield depth to withstand the loss.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">D-backs 2016 projected active roster </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><u>Pos</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Players</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Age</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><b><u>Salary</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Welington Castillo</span></td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$3,700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Paul Goldschmidt</span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Nick Ahmed</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<span>Jake Lamb</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Jean Segura</td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Yasmany Tomas</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$7,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>A.J. Pollock</span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$3,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<span>David Peralta</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Pete O`Brien</td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Tuffy Gosewisch</span></td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Chris Owings</span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Phil Gosselin</span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Socrates Brito <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>23</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Zack Greinke</td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$34,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Patrick Corbin</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,525,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Shelby Miller</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$4,350,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Rubby De La Rosa</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,350,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Robbie Ray</td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CL</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Brad Ziegler</td>
<td>36</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Tyler Clippard</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$8,100,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Daniel Hudson</span></td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Josh Collmenter</span></td>
<td>30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,850,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Randall Delgado</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,275,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Matt Reynolds</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$675,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span>Andrew Chafin</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cash</td>
<td colspan="2" style="text-align: left;">Aaron Hill</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$6,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><b>Total (15 players+)</b></td>
<td colspan="2" align="right"><b>$92,875,000</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4"><i>*as of June 30, 2016</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span>Special thanks: <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/arizona-diamondbacks/" target="new">Cot's</a> <br><br>Caveat: This is my best guess at the 25-man roster, with some placeholders knowing that the final two or three spots could very well change. </span>
</div>
<p>A.J. Pollock is becoming a star in his own right in center field, and they still have David Peralta in left field, who quietly hit .312/.371/.522 with 53 extra-base hits in 149 games in 2015. Peralta in the second half hit .360/.401/.577 with nine home runs, <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2015&month=31&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17,d" target="new">11th in baseball with a 162 wRC+ after the All-Star break</a> and second only to Joey Votto in batting average (.362).</p>
<p>But the trade freed up an outfield spot for Yasmany Tomas, who struggled in his first season in MLB after signing a six-year, $68.5 million deal last offseason as a free agent out of Cuba. He hit just .273/.305/.401 with nine home runs in 426 plate appearances, and after the All-Star break hit just .208/.228/.335.</p>
<p>But the Diamondbacks are betting on Tomas, entering his age-25 season in 2016, to break out, one of many things Arizona needs to go right in order to contend in the National League West.</p>
<h4>Rotational alignment</h4>
<p>Funny how adding one of the very best pitchers in baseball does wonders in improving a starting rotation. But it wasn't just Greinke who was added to the D-backs' starting staff for 2016. Arizona surrounded Greinke with a bevy of young pitchers, namely adding Miller to an impressive top three that includes Patrick Corbin.</p>
<p>Corbin was solid in the second half of 2015, coming back from Tommy John surgery to post a 3.60 ERA and 3.27 FIP in 16 starts, with 78 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 85 innings. If Corbin can get anywhere close to his 2013 form when he averaged 6.51 innings per start, he'd team with Greinke (6.96 innings per start in 2015) and Miller (6.22) to give Arizona a windfall of innings for a starting staff that averaged just 5.48 innings per start, second-lowest in the majors to the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a>.</p>
<p>That trio will be surrounded by 27-year-old old friend Rubby De La Rosa, who looked pretty good when he wasn't facing the Dodgers last year, 24-year-old Robbie Ray, and 23-year-old <span>Archie Bradley</span>, the latter a former upper-echelon prospect who made only six minor league starts in 2015 after taking a line drive off his face in June.</p>
<p>All in all, Bradley was relatively lucky in that he wasn't more seriously injured by the line drive, though it produced one of the most striking baseball images of the year.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pretty ugly huh? In all Seriousness tho thanks for the text, tweets and prayers! Could have been a lot worse! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lucky?src=hash">#lucky</a> <a href="http://t.co/NasQBYWqkz">pic.twitter.com/NasQBYWqkz</a></p>
— Archie Bradley (@ArchieBradley7) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArchieBradley7/status/593289931864154112">April 29, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<h4>Feeling a draft</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Dbacks have already traded their 1st pick from 2015, 1st and 4th picks from 2014, and 2nd, 3rd, and 4th picks from 2013.</p>
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/693636654402265088">January 31, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<h4>Outlook</h4>
<p>There is no question that the Diamondbacks improved over last season, but then again <i>they also had to</i>. There is still a step between improvement and division favorites, and I think Arizona doesn't quite have the depth to overtake the Dodgers or Giants in 2016. But they aren't that far off.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/2/17/10910692/arizona-diamondbacks-offseason-review-2016Eric Stephen2016-02-16T08:12:13-08:002016-02-16T08:12:13-08:00Padres offseason review
<figure>
<img alt="General manager A.J. Preller and new manager Andy Green will have quite a different Padres team in 2016." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XKWqtzeYmNdt7mfFVyLKuCzHmxU=/0x195:4126x2946/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48751393/usa-today-8889796.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>General manager A.J. Preller and new manager Andy Green will have quite a different Padres team in 2016. | Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This season wasn't nearly as active as last year for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>, but general manager A.J. Preller was still busy making moves heading into 2016, and ones seemingly more with a long-term look ahead rather than immediate gain.</p>
<h4>Snapshot</h4>
<p><b>2015 record</b>: 74-88, fourth place NL West</p>
<p><b>2016 Padres games in LA</b>: Apr. 29-May 1, July 7-10, September 2-4<br><b>2016 Dodgers games in SD</b>: April 4-6, May 20-22, Sept. 27-29</p>
<p>More info: <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/" target="_blank">Gaslamp Ball</a></p>
<p>Beat writers to follow: <a href="https://twitter.com/followthepadres" target="_blank">@followthepadres</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/sdutdennislin" target="_blank">@sdutdennislin</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/padrescentral" target="_blank">@padrescentral</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/berniewilson" target="_blank">@berniewilson</a></p>
<h4>Free agents</h4>
<div class="sidebar">
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left"><b><u>In</u></b></td>
<td align="left"><b><u>Out</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="top">
<span>Buddy Baumann</span> lhp<br>Alexei Ramirez ss<br>Carlos Villanueva rhp<br>Fernando Rodney rhp<br><span>Cesar Vargas</span> rhp</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">
<span>Clint Barmes</span> ss<br><span>Josh Johnson</span> rhp<br>Shawn Kelley rhp (Was)<br><span>Ian Kennedy</span> rhp (KC)<br><span>Cory Luebke</span> lhp (Pit)<br><span>Will Middlebrooks</span> 3b (Mil)<br><span>Bud Norris</span> rhp (Atl)<br>Justin Upton of (Det)<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>The Padres received two supplemental picks in between the first and second rounds of the 2016 draft for the loss of Ian Kennedy and Justin Upton.</p>
<h4>Trades/waivers</h4>
<p>Nov. 11: Traded pitcher <span>Ronald Herrera</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> for infielder Jose Pirela.</p>
<p>Nov. 12: Traded relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit to Seattle in exchange for pitcher Enyel De Los Santos and shortstop <span>Nelson Ward</span>.</p>
<p>Nov. 13: Traded closer Craig Kimbrel to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> in exchange for infielders <span>Carlos Asuaje</span> and <span>Javier Guerra</span>, pitcher Logan Allen and outfielder Manuel Margot.</p>
<p>Nov. 20: San Diego claimed catcher <span>Josmil Pinto</span> off waivers from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>.</p>
<p>Dec. 2: Acquired pitchers Drew Pomeranz and <span>Jose Torres</span> and outfielder <span>Jabari Blash</span> from Oakland in exchange for first baseman Yonder Alonso and pitcher Mark Rzepczynski.</p>
<p>Dec. 8: Traded second baseman Jedd Gyorko and $7.5 million to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> for outfielder Jon Jay.</p>
<p>Dec. 10: Acquired catcher <span>Christian Bethancourt</span> from Atlanta for pitcher Casey Kelly and catcher <span>Ricardo Rodriguez</span>.</p>
<p>Dec. 10: San Diego acquired right-handed pitcher and Rule 5 pick <span>Luis Perdomo</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> for future considerations.</p>
<p>Dec. 10: Selected pitcher Josh Martin from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> in the Rule 5 draft.</p>
<p>Dec. 10: Selected pitcher <span>Blake Smith</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> in the Rule 5 draft.</p>
<p>Dec. 23: Milwaukee claimed catcher Josmil Pinto off waivers from the Padres.</p>
<p>Jan. 28: San Diego traded outfielder Rymer Liriano to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> for left-handed pitcher Terry Seidenberger.</p>
<p>Feb. 4: Sent swing man Odrisamer Despaigner to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a> in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jean Cosme.</p>
<p>Preller was still a busy man in his second offseason, with nine trades this offseason. The big one was trading closer Kimbrel for an attractive package of four players, including <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/top-100-prospects/" target="_blank">two players ranked in the top 56 prospects by Baseball America</a> (Guerra 52nd, Margot 56th).</p>
<h4>Notable NRIs</h4>
<p>Old friend <span>Skip Schumaker</span> will fight for a utility role after two years in Cincinnati.</p>
<h4>New staff</h4>
<p>The Dodgers aren't the only team in the division with a new coaching staff. San Diego has a new manager in <span>Andy Green</span>, and is surrounded by several new faces on the staff. Replacing new Dodgers manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> as San Diego's bench coach is Mark McGwire, who was hitting coach in Los Angeles the last three years.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Padres 2016 projected active roster </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><u>Pos</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Player</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Age</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><b><u>Salary</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Derek Norris</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$2,925,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Will Myers</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Cory Spangenberg <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Yangervis Solarte <font color="#0000ff">(S)</font>
</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Alexei Ramirez</td>
<td>34</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$4,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Jon Jay <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$6,225,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Melvin Upton</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$15,450,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Matt Kemp</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$18,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF/OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">
<span>Alexi Amarista</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B/3B</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Brett Wallace <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Christian Bethancourt</td>
<td>24</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Jose Pirela</td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Alex Dickerson <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">James Shields</td>
<td>34</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$21,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Tyson Ross</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$9,625,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Andrew Cashner</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$7,150,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Brandon Maurer</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Carlos Villanueva</td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CL</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Fernando Rodney</td>
<td>39</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Nick Vincent</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Kevin Quackenbush</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Drew Pomeranz</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,350,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Buddy Baumann</span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left">Jon Edwards</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span>Cory Mazzoni</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><b>Total (13 players)</b></td>
<td colspan="2" align="right"><b>$91,125,000</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4"><i>*as of June 30, 2016</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span>Special thanks: <a target="new" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/san-diego-padres/">Cot's</a> <br><br>Caveat: This is my best guess at the 25-man roster, knowing that the final two or three spots could very well change. </span>
</div>
<h4>Rule 5 mania</h4>
<p>The Padres enter spring training with a whopping four Rule 5 draft picks, who must remain on the active roster or be offered back to their old team. Included among them is old friend Blake Smith, who converted from hitting to pitching in 2013.</p>
<p>San Diego selected Smith from the White Sox. He was drafted in the second round in 2009 by the Dodgers and Logan White, who is now the pro scouting director and special advisor to the GM in San Diego.</p>
<p>The Rule 5 pick with the best chances to stick with the Padres are probably outfielder <span>Jabari Blash</span> and pitcher Luis Perdomo.</p>
<p>The competition to join right fielder and old friend Matt Kemp in the outfield is robust, with newcomer Jon Jay competing with the rejuvenated Melvin Upton Jr. in center field. Blash and rookies Alex Dickerson and <span>Travis Jankowski</span> will compete for playing time as well.</p>
<h4>Hedging their bets</h4>
<p>San Diego relied on 22-year-old top prospect Austin Hedges for a stretch behind the plate in 2015, and he struggled in his first stint in the major leagues, hitting just .168/.215/.243 in 56 games. Though known more for his defense, that's a tough offensive burden to carry, and during the winter the Padres acquired a defensively-minded catcher to potentially pair with starter Derek Norris in 2016.</p>
<p>Christian Bethancourt was acquired via trade from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, is out of options, and could push Hedges to Triple-A for some more seasoning this season.</p>
<p>"I think what this move does is allow us to have that conversation," Preller said in December, <a href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/159460368/padres-austin-hedges-could-be-back-at-triple-a" target="new">per Corey Brock of MLB.com</a>.</p>
<h4>Flannery unloads</h4>
<p>Longtime Padres player and coach Tim Flannery seemed fed up with San Diego in a tweet he since deleted.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full text of Tim Flannery's message to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash">#Padres</a> fans <a href="https://t.co/KNkuHj5CYe">pic.twitter.com/KNkuHj5CYe</a></p>
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleAGlaser/status/697677288503058433">February 11, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>After he deleted his rant, Flannery had a funny retort. Want some cheese with that whine?</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sorry I engaged the trolls. I forgive the haters, now be gone. Just baseball writers for me here to read now,cheers. <a href="https://t.co/mI0cADMGFo">pic.twitter.com/mI0cADMGFo</a></p>
— Tim Flannery (@TimFlannery2) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimFlannery2/status/697790226945560576">February 11, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<h4>Outlook</h4>
<p>The Padres will find themselves behind the Dodgers, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> in the NL West. Look for them to build more for the long term, trying to unload James Shields' contract and/or free-agent-to-be Andrew Cashner at some point in 2016.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/2/16/10931588/san-diego-padres-offseason-review-2016Eric Stephen2016-02-15T06:00:02-08:002016-02-15T06:00:02-08:00Giants offseason review
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/w-cqNkzWRmv0h2dyIegCLHVb1B8=/0x72:4140x2832/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48645465/usa-today-9001506.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We have reached a point deep enough in the hot stove season that we are close enough to spring training to close the book on the offseason. Our National League West offseason review begins with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>' biggest rivals, the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a>.</p>
<h4>Snapshot</h4>
<p><b>2015 record</b>: 84-78, second place NL West</p>
<p><b>2016 Giants games in LA</b>: April 15-17, August 23-25, September 19-21<br><b>2016 Dodgers games in SF</b>: April 7-10, June 10-12, Sept. 30-Oct. 2</p>
<p>More info: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">McCovey Chronicles</a></p>
<p>Beat writers to follow: <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/extrabaggs">@extrabaggs</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/sfgiantsbeat">@sfgiantsbeat</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AlexPavlovic">@alexpavlovic</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hankschulman">@hankschulman</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JohnSheaHey">@johnsheahey</a></p>
<h4>Free agents</h4>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left"><b><u>In</u></b></td>
<td align="left"><b><u>Out</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" align="left">Johnny Cueto rhp<br>Jeff Samardzija rhp<br>Denard Span of</td>
<td valign="top" align="left">Norichika Aoki of (Sea)<br>Marlon Byrd of<br>Alejandro de Aza of (NYM)<br>Mike Leake rhp (StL)<br>Tim Lincecum rhp<br>Yusmeiro Petit rhp (Was)<br>Hector Sanchez c (ChW)<br>Ryan Vogelsong rhp (Pit)<br>Jeremy Affeldt lhp (retired)<br>Tim Hudson rhp (retired)<br>Marco Scutaro if (retired)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>The two starting pitchers signed big deals. <span>Johnny Cueto</span> got $130 million over six years, or he can opt out after two years and $46 million. <span>Jeff Samardzija</span> got five years and $90 million.</p>
<p><span>Denard Span</span> got $31 million over three years, plus a club option for 2019.</p>
<p>The club also locked up shortstop <span>Brandon Crawford</span>, the defensive stalwart who keeps getting better every season on offense. Crawford, now 29, signed a six-year, $75 million contract extension that paid for his final two years of salary arbitration and bought out four years of free agency.</p>
<h4>Trades/waivers</h4>
<p>Relief pitcher <span>Cody Hall</span> was traded to the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> for a player to be named later.</p>
<p>Pitcher Joe Biagini was claimed off waivers by the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a>.</p>
<p>Not a busy swapping offseason for San Francisco.</p>
<h4>Notable NRIs</h4>
<p><span>Kyle Blanks</span> is back in the National League West, with his career .253/.342/.455, 122 wRC+ mark against left-handed pitchers.</p>
<p><span>Ricky Romero</span>, now 31, last pitched in the majors in 2013, and has been limited by injuries to just 13 minor league starts combined in 2014-2015.</p>
<h4>Jumping the Shark?</h4>
<p>San Francisco committed $90 million over five years hoping they got the good version of Jeff Samardzija. In 2015 he was anything but, putting up a 4.96 ERA and 4.23 FIP, leading the majors in hits allowed (228) and earned runs (129), and leading the American League in home runs allowed (29). He saw his strikeout rate plummet to 17.9 percent in 2015 after rates from 23.0 to 24.9 percent in three previous years as a starter.</p>
<p>Very roughly, Samardzija's four years as a starting pitcher can be broken down to two decent to good years (2012-2013), one very good to great year (2014) and one stinker (2015). Maybe it is just sticker shock or my own inability to adjust to the market, but is that performance worth five years and $18 million per season? In many ways this reminds me of Charlie Weis, Samardzija's football coach in college, whose biggest win at Notre Dame was a loss to No. 1 USC in 2005.</p>
<p>But I'm probably selling Samardzija short here. Switching to the National League, and to the pitcher's paradise of AT&T Park, the Giants probably do in fact have a decided schematic advantage with their new pitcher. Also, Samardzija has proven to be a workhorse the last three years, <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/OGEDu">sixth in the majors in innings from 2013-2015 (647⅓)</a>, with no fewer than 213⅔ innings in any of the three seasons.</p>
<p>There is value in that stability, especially for a Giants' starting rotation that ranked ninth in the National League in innings pitched in 2015.</p>
<p>With both Cueto and Samardzija joining the staff, Chris Heston — who threw a no-hitter and had a 3.95 ERA in 31 starts last year — might find himself on the outside looking in.</p>
<h4>Getting offensive</h4>
<p>The Giants return nearly everyone from one of the best and most underrated offenses in the National League. The Giants were <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2015-standard-batting.shtml">second in the NL in OPS+ (102)</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=nl&qual=0&type=8&season=2015&month=0&season1=&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0">first in wRC+ (107)</a> in 2015. The Dodgers were the only other team at or above 100 in both categories, with a 105 OPS+ and 106 wRC+, but San Francisco was better able to translate that into runs, scoring 29 more runs than the Dodgers.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Giants 2016 projected active roster </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><u>Pos</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Player</u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Age</u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><b><u>Salary</u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Buster Posey</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$20,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>
<span>Brandon Belt</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$6,200,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>
<span>Joe Panik</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td><span>Matt Duffy</span></td>
<td>25</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Brandon Crawford <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$7,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>
<span>Angel Pagan</span> <font color="#0000ff">(S)</font>
</td>
<td>34</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$10,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Denard Span <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$3,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td><span>Hunter Pence</span></td>
<td>33</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$18,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF</td>
<td>
<span>Gregor Blanco</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>32</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$3,900,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Andrew Susac</td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td><span>Kelby Tomlinson</span></td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IF</td>
<td>
<span>Ehire Adrianza</span> <font color="#0000ff">(S)</font>
</td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OF</td>
<td>
<span>Jarrett Parker</span> <font color="#ff0000">(L)</font>
</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td>Madson Bumgarner</td>
<td>26</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$9,750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td>Johnny Cueto</td>
<td>30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$15,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td>Jeff Samardzija</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$12,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td><span>Jake Peavy</span></td>
<td>35</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$13,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SP</td>
<td><span>Matt Cain</span></td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$20,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CL</td>
<td><span>Santiago Casilla</span></td>
<td>35</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$6,500,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>Sergio Romo</td>
<td>33</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$8,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td><span>George Kontos</span></td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$1,150,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td>Hunter Strickland</td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td><span>Javier Lopez</span></td>
<td>38</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">$5,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LHP</td>
<td><span>Josh Osich</span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RHP</td>
<td><span>Mike Broadway</span></td>
<td>29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">team</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><b>Total (16 players)</b></td>
<td align="right" colspan="2"><b>$159,000,000</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4"><i>*as of June 30, 2016</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span>Special thanks: <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/san-francisco-giants/" target="new">Cot's</a> <br><br>Caveat: This is my best guess at the 25-man roster, knowing that the final two or three spots could very well change. </span>
</div>
<p>San Francisco was fourth in the majors and <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/m06qL">second in the National League with 4.51 runs per game on the road</a>, scoring just four fewer runs than the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a>.</p>
<p>The biggest addition on offense was center fielder Denard Span, but the club should also get more than 53 games out of Hunter Pence in 2016. The infield and catcher Buster Posey are all on the right side of 30, and all above average on offense, giving San Francisco potentially a lineup without any real holes.</p>
<p>Don't forget about <span>Madison Bumgarner</span>, who has been the best hitting pitcher in baseball with nine home runs the last two years, hitting .252/.280/.469 with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=p&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=20&type=8&season=2015&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17,d">a 112 wRC+ during that span that dwarfs every other pitcher in baseball</a>.</p>
<h4>Keeping Posey fresh</h4>
<p>Buster Posey is one of the most valuable players in baseball, and the Giants' best hitter. The team has tried to balance keeping him at catcher, where he is most valuable as the best hitting catcher in the game, and also getting him regular pseudo-rest by playing first base.</p>
<p>Posey caught 1,031 innings in 2013, then 929⅓ innings in 2014, followed by 901⅔ innings in 2015. In those years, his defensive frames at first base have increased, from 138⅔ to 261 to 323⅔. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues.</p>
<p>San Francisco has a capable second catcher in Andrew Susac, and though first baseman Brandon Belt has been productive he has also seen time in left field so the club is flexible if Posey should need more rest.</p>
<p>In his career, Posey has hit .303/.369/.472 as a catcher, but .346/.400/.540 in 598 plate appearances as a first baseman.</p>
<h4>Even year</h4>
<p>Mike Gianella of Baseball Prospectus had a funny tweet about the Giants' recent trend of winning <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series" class="sbn-auto-link">the World Series</a> every other year (2010, 2012, 2014).</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Going to be funny when we all figure out this year that the even year bullshit isn't a product of the Giants but rather of Pablo Sandoval.</p>
— Mike Gianella (@MikeGianella) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGianella/status/689637272455680000">January 20, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<h4>Outlook</h4>
<p>The Giants are the Dodgers' biggest threat in the NL West in 2016, and even if San Francisco doesn't win the division will be in the mix for a playoff spot at the very least.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/2/15/10698098/san-francisco-giants-offseason-review-2016-even-year-bsEric Stephen