2008 Baseball - NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

1. Arizona Diamondbacks -- I would assume this will be Rule No. 1 in Tucson this spring: Keep Brandon Webb and Danny Haren locked inside of a glass case at all times they're not on the mound. In Webb and Haren, assuming they stay healthy, the defending NL West champions have a 1-2 punch they can ride back into October. Then, if Randy Johnson can return from a second back surgery in two winters -- granted, odds are not that great -- manager Bob Melvin really could have something even more special. As it is, this is an exceptionally young club, but many of the growing pains are in the past. Opponents outscored the Diamondbacks by 20 runs last season -- a subject Arizona grew sick and tired of -- but there are reasons to believe that won't happen again in '08. Shortstop Stephen Drew badly underperformed at the plate, yet stepped up enough in the playoffs to prove he can recover. Justin Upton is a comer. Third baseman Mark Reynolds will be up for a full season. Most pressing question of the spring likely won't be answered until the season: Can Brandon Lyon replace Jose Valverde's 47 saves?

2. San Diego Padres -- Bud Black, not comedian Bill Murray, is managing this club, but nevertheless, it will be Groundhog's Day in Peoria again this spring. Stop us if you've heard this one: The Padres are loaded with pitching but lacking in sticks. Currently, the outfield lines up like this: Brian Giles, recovering from microfracture surgery in his knee, in right field; past-his-prime and brittle Jim Edmonds in center; and a big hole in left. Rookie Chase Headley, moved from the infield to be given a chance in left, perhaps? Right now, Scott Hairston is the clubhouse leader. Tadahito Iguchi will be an upgrade over Marcus Giles at second. Kevin Kouzmanoff will start much better at the plate this year than last. Still, Cy Young winner Jake Peavy, ageless Greg Maddux and Chris Young will have to pitch lights out. Two spring projects to watch: Rehabbing right-handers Randy Wolf and Mark Prior, each of whom could have a strong impact in Petco Park.

3. Colorado Rockies -- Let's see what the Rockies are made of when the expectations are there. They won't sneak up on anybody now after last year's rush to the finish line, but that doesn't mean they're doomed. Though I'll go out on a limb and say this: No way they reel off another streak in which they win 21 of 22 games. They do that, I'll personally deliver a clubhouse full of In-N-Out burgers to the Rockies. What fun they were a year ago, and just think how dazzling shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will be with a season's experience. MVP candidate Matt Holliday is back, as are sluggers Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins. Two biggest things to watch this spring are whether top infield prospect Ian Stewart can successfully convert from third base to second and win the job -- Marcus Giles is here if he can't -- and whether right-hander Jason Hirsh will make a strong return from a broken leg.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers -- Everybody knows Joe Torre is the new manager, but what nobody can know is whether his magic touch will succeed sooner rather than later in healing a bitterly divided clubhouse. Most of the main players in the veterans vs. kids feud are back, from second baseman Jeff Kent to outfielder Matt Kemp. The betting here is that Torre gets everyone on the same page quickly, and then the focus diverts to whether new center fielder Andruw Jones can hit like he once did, whether Japanese free agent Hiroki Kuroda will fit into the rotation and whether Jason Schmidt's damaged shoulder has healed enough to allow him to contribute. There are a lot of pieces in place, including too many outfielders -- Kemp, Jones, Juan Pierre and Andre Ethier -- and with a break or two, the Dodgers could make Torre look like a genius -- again -- in his debut season. But these are the Dodgers, winners of only one playoff game since 1988, and they historically find a way to fall short.

5. San Francisco Giants -- Now the Giants enter the pay-for-your-past-sins stage of their franchise history. They got older and older and mortgaged their near future for a chance to win now during Barry Bonds' last five or so seasons, and aside from the 2002 World Series appearance, they didn't win and never got as close as they hoped. Now they enter the post-Bonds phase, and they will trot out a payroll of some $90 million ... and for what? Look at the outfield: Dave Roberts in left, Aaron Rowand in center and Randy Winn in right. If Dan Ortmeier doesn't win the first base job, Rich Aurilia is Plan B. Rich Aurilia! He's still around! Ray Durham (.218 last year) is at second. Kevin Frandsen (seven career homers) or Aurilia will play third (Frandsen may wind up at second over Durham. What will save the Giants from complete humiliation will be good, young starters Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Noah Lowery.