2013 MLB Preview: NL West

It's been a bit of a scramble this week, but after a lot of quick research I think I've found some good information to hopefully have some accurate predictions this time around. You can view every other division's predictions in the bar on your right for under the March 2013 posts, or scroll down if you're on the COAS home page. Without further ado, let's finish this off.

NL West
The home of the defending champions is going to be a tough division this year, with a lot of money being spent to improve by some teams. The NL is a little more top-heavy than the AL, so as tempted as I am to pick 2 teams out of this division, I've already filled the wild card quota on this end. Tough decision to make.

1. San Francisco Giants
2012: 94-68, 1st in NL West, won World Series
Buster Posey just signed a long term deal on Friday, so this team has one of its best players locked up into the next decade. Really, this whole lineup is stacked with guys like Hunter Pence and Pablo Sandoval to help out the meat of the order. Sergio Romo is a good replacement for Brian Wilson, and the rotation here is scary good with Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum in the 1-3 spots. Teams are going to be hard-pressed to top this squad.
2013 Projection: 96-66

2. Los Angeles Dodgers
2012: 86-76, 2nd in NL West 
This team spent the most money in free agency, plus with the moves made at the trade deadline last summer, this team is looking like the Yankees of the late '90s or the Red Sox of the early '00s. There's some big names here to help out Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, and the rotation is good with Zack Greinke (assuming he can handle the big market in LA) helping out Clayton Kershaw. However, unless the Red Sox assets from last year really step up their game, this team won't go anywhere.
2013 Projection: 90-72

3. San Diego Padres
2012: 76-86, 4th in NL West
After a couple down years the Friars started to come back to being a little bit better. There's a decent blend of youth and experience on this squad, and some good pitching on their staff now with Edison Volquez anchoring the rotation. They won't challenge for the division, but they'll be a competitive team this year and might be able to surprise if the Dodgers struggle.
2013 Projection: 80-82

4. Arizona Diamondbacks
2012: 81-81, 3rd in NL West
This team has a good rotation with Ian Kennedy and Brandon McCarthy heading up the staff. Guys like Cody Ross and Jason Kubel bring some good experience in the outfield, but there's still a fair amount of holes left on this team. They will be competitive too, but not close to getting back to the top of the division. There isn't quite enough pitching depth here yet.
2013 Projection: 78-84

5. Colorado Rockies
2012: 64-98, 5th in NL West
Todd Helton is still going after all these years, and guys like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are going to drive in a lot of runs in the thin Coors Field air, but there really isn't much in the way of pitching since Ublado Jiminez left town. I'm not sure the pitching staff will be able to keep this squad in too many games as the year goes on.
2013 Projection: 69-93