Personally, out of the Cali teams, I've always like the Giants.
Los Angeles Dodgers
First impression: While everyone assumed they'd get younger, the Dodgers held off for another season, signing Luis Gonzalez for left field and Jason Schmidt for the front of their rotation. Juan Pierre is an upgrade over Kenny Lofton in center field and, at 29, is in his prime. But, the additions of Gonzalez and Pierre, along with the re-signing of first baseman Nomar Garciaparra and the early 2006 extension for Jeff Kent, served to bunch three prospects Andre Ethier, James Loney and Matt Kemp into right field, which J.D. Drew abandoned. Ethier was a very pleasant surprise from May to August, but hit his 11th and last home run on Aug. 10 and had two RBI after Aug. 28, in part because Marlon Anderson had taken over in left. Ethier is the favorite going into camp. Assuming the old guys stay healthy, Kemp and Loney probably return to Triple-A.
Competition: Chad Billingsley, Hong-Chih Kuo, Brett Tomko and Mark Hendrickson have a shot at the fifth starter, behind Schmidt, Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Randy Wolf. Those who don't make the rotation could find jobs in the bullpen, though Kuo, who pitched well in the rotation and reasonably well in his division series start against the New York Mets, has been most effective as a starter. Andy LaRoche, Adam's little brother, conceivably could push Wilson Betemit at third base.
Healing: Garciaparra is healthy for the moment, but always worth keeping an eye on. He missed long periods in early April and in mid-summer, then limped down the stretch. Despite a significant fall-off after the All-Star break, Garciaparra had some huge hits. Once considered Eric Gagne's understudy to the closer role, Yhency Brazoban is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He could return in May or June.
Next: The Dodgers haven't forgotten about Kemp, the 22-year-old outfielder whose first three weeks in the majors saw seven home runs, 18 RBI and a .339 batting average. A month later he was back in Triple-A, working on plate patience and breaking-ball recognition, and made progress in the Dominican winter league.
San Diego Padres
First impression: The Padres count on good things from their starting rotation, which added veterans Maddux and Wells to an already solid core of Jake Peavy, Chris Young and Clay Hensley. And their bullpen, from Trevor Hoffman down, was one of the best in the game. Most of the questions lie with their offense, which scored the fewest runs in the division last season, then lost Mike Piazza (22 home runs, 68 RBI in 399 at-bats) and Dave Roberts (.293 average, 80 runs) in free agency. But, Adrian Gonzalez, at 24, is emerging as a consistent run producer and rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff, acquired from the Cleveland Indians in the Josh Barfield trade, is a home-run threat, even at Petco Park. He is weak defensively, however, and will work with coach Glenn Hoffman throughout spring.
Competition: Marcus Giles is a lock at second base over Todd Walker, who will serve in a utility role at first, second and third. The only real competition in camp will be in left field between Terrmel Sledge, Jose Cruz Jr. and Paul McAnulty. Most likely, left will become a platoon, with Sledge playing against most right-handers and Cruz against all lefties. Cruz, a switch-hitter, has consistently hit about 100 points higher from the right side, though he's got much more power from the left.
Healing: The Padres go to camp healthy. Peavy, a possible WBC casualty, pitched with chronic soreness in his right shoulder last season. As a result, his ERA jumped more than a run over 2005 and he lost 14 games. Still, he threw 202 1/3 innings and had 215 strikeouts.
Next: Right-hander Cesar Carrillo, a 2005 first-rounder out of Miami, had a 3.21 ERA in 10 Double-A and Triple-A starts in 2006. Elbow trouble cost him the final month of the season. If he is healthy, Carrillo has a chance to surface with the Padres this season.
San Francisco Giants
First impression: There's no getting around it in the Bay Area, the Giants are all about the Barrys, Bonds and Zito. It'll start at AT&T Park on April 3, when Zito presumably will get the ball for opening day and 15 minutes later Bonds will stand at the plate, 21 home runs separating him from Hank Aaron. Their opponents that afternoon will be the Padres, whose manager for the past 12 seasons Bruce Bochy will be managing his first game for the Giants. From there on, anything can happen, unless it already did during spring training, and then it could happen again.
Competition: Bochy's plan is to give Rich Aurilia most of the at-bats at first base, though Ryan Klesko and Mark Sweeney will be worked in there and on Bonds' days off in left field. The Giants believe Russ Ortiz, who washed out of Arizona and Baltimore but still has friends in San Francisco, has corrected his mechanical flaws and can be effective for them again. He'll compete with Brad Hennessey and 24-year-old left-hander Jonathan Sanchez for the fifth place in the rotation, behind Zito, Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and a healthy, they hope, Matt Morris.
Healing: The good news is Armando Benitez is in Scottsdale early, throwing and tending to his ailing knee. The bad news is Benitez is "a couple, a few pounds overweight," Bochy told radio station KNBR this week, which won't be a big deal until the first time the knee puffs up again.
Next: Right-hander Brian Wilson, 24, made 30 appearances for the Giants last season, did not allow a run in the Puerto Rico winter league, and arrives this spring with a chance to become the closer. Benitez's knee could go. Heck, if Sabean can work a trade, all of Benitez could go.
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