HOT STOVE REPORT CARD: NL WEST

The finish line lies ahead with only two divisions left. First up the NL West where the Dodgers will have even a harder time this year with some improvements around the divisions, and a lack of improvement for themselves.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Major Signings: Jamey Carroll, Vincente Padilla, Luis Ayala, Ronnie Belliard, Russ Ortiz, Nick Green, Doug Mientkiewicz, Brad Ausmus, Jeff Weaver, Brian Giles, Alfredo Amezaga
Major Trade Acquisitions: none
Major Losses: Randy Wolf, Jim Thome, Orlando Hudson, Jon Garland, Juan Pierre
Report: Besides resigning most of their supporting crew and adding to that, this team did nothing. They lost a major rotation piece in Randy Wolf, and didn't even bring back Jon Garland. An ugly off-field divorce of the owners has caused all of this, and that's just a shame. The best thing they did was lock up some of their key young players.
Overall: Locking up your youngsters is definitely a good thing, as at least it guarantees a core, but they seriously needed another pitcher and didn't get that. They will feel that for sure.
Grade: D

COLORADO ROCKIES
Major Signings: Miguel Olivo, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Tim Redding, Jimmy Gobble, Paul LoDuca, Jay Payton, Justin Spier
Major Trade Acquisitions: none
Major Losses: Matt Murton, Josh Fogg, Jose Contreras, Yorvit Torrealba, Jason Marquis
Report: This is a team that really didn't need much, and so they really didn't do much besides adding a bit of depth. Most notably, they brought in Melvin Mora as infield insurance policy, they replaced Yorvit Torrealba with Miguel Olivo, and brought back clubhouse captain Jason Giambi.
Overall: Not much to say here as a solid team didn't do anything crazy, and that's just fine.
Grade: B

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Major Signings: Mark DeRosa, Aubrey Huff, Juan Uribe, Bengie Molina, Todd Wellemeyer, Guillermo Mota,
Major Trade Acquisitions: none
Major Losses: Ryan Garko, Randy Johnson, Brad Penny, Randy Winn
Report: While the Giants needed some real power, they instead brought in some possible power in Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff, the latter coming off a terrible season. For what it's worth, they did try to sign Adam LaRoche for two years only to be shockingly shunned. However, the two signings could help them and they did resign two factors from last year: Bengie Molina and Juan Uribe. Is this enough? We'll see.
Overall: A meh off-season. After missing out on LaRoche I probably would've went for Russell Branyon instead of Huff, but that's just me. Johnny Damon would've been better than DeRosa as well.
Grade: C

SAN DIEGO PADRES
Major Signings: Jon Garland, Jerry Hairston Jr., Yorvit Torrealba, Matt Stairs
Major Trade Acquisitions: Scott Hairston
Major Losses: Kevin Kouzmanoff, Brian Giles, Henry Blanco
Report: Under new GM Jed Hoyer, the Padres quietly made some alright moves. They traded away Kevin Kouzmanoff to bring back Scott Hairston and a good prospect, they signed a much needed veteran pitcher in Jon Garland, brought in Torrealba to platoon with Nick Hundley, and added Matt Stairs and Jerry Hairston Jr. to their bench. Not blow you out of the water moves, but solid, little ones that'll help this team be better this year.
Overall: What I just said.
Grade: B

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Major Signings: Adam LaRoche, Kelly Johnson, Rodrigo Lopez, Bob Howry
Major Trade Acquisitions: Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Aaron Heilman
Major Losses: Max Scherzer, Eric Brynes, Daniel Schlereth, Doug Davis, Chad Tracy, Scott Schoenweiss
Report: The D'Backs were part of one of the biggest trades, no not the one that brought them Aaron Heilman, but the three team trade that kicked off the Winter Meetings in style. The one that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees, Austin Jackson, Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, and Phil Coke to Detroit, and Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to this team. Some say that the D'Backs got the short end of the stick, but they really traded a starter and a reliever for a more developed starter and another starter that could be good in this division, so that's not too bad. They also have a new right side of their infield in Adam LaRoche and Kelly Johnson, both former Braves. If Johnson can turn things around these will be good pick-ups for them.
Overall: They gave up some guys to some guys, they gave up on some other guys, they signed a couple of helpful players, not too shabby.
Grade: B-