I hear you’re moving real fine.  And real fine is exactly how the starting pitching is looking in the NL West.  Here are my rankings for the division's starting rotations.

1. San Francisco Giants

I’m gonna go ahead and say every starter on the Giants is draftable, assuming 5th starter duties go to Madison Bumgarner.  Tim Lincecum is a freak, he will be the first pitcher off the board and an overall first rounder, and better yet, I think he can still get better, scary right???  Matt Cain’s W-L record completely swapped from 2008 to 2009, not to mention he improved in almost every category (his K/9 actually went down, but was still above 7).  I think last year is more of what we can expect from Cain, except maybe an ERA just above 3.00, I predict top 20 starter material.  Barry Zito had his best year in SF last year, which doesn’t say much, but I do think he is trending back toward his hey days with Oakland (his K/9 improved from 6 in ’08 to 7.22 in ’09); definitely a late rounder, but definitely worthy of being drafted as long as you don’t count losses.  Jonathan Sanchez was very up and down last year, but you can’t ignore the strikeouts.  I think he somewhat gets his act together to make at least half of his starts quality.  Bumgarner is no guarantee to crack the rotation at the start (Joe Martinez, no thanks), but I would gamble on him in the latter rounds in hopes of a Tommy Hanson-like 2009 output; also, I wouldn’t make too much of his dropped velocity in the second half last year, we can wait to see if it actually effects his stats.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

I know right, only 3 pitchers listed, but I’d still take these 3 guys over the top 3 of the remaining NL West teams (ARI was a close 3rd).  Billingsley disappointed me last year after a stellar 2008, I still think he can return to that stat line – so if you’re lucky, many will look at last year’s ERA and mediocre record and maybe you can get him as a steal in your draft.  Clayton Kershaw is studly and my boy Paul talks about him here - very true about the possibly-inflated value as I believe his ERA will be in the mid-3s with a higher WHIP than last year.  Amidst being injured for a decent amount of the year, Kuroda was putting together a solid season.  Assuming he stays healthy, I would expect much the same solid ratios and a solid starter in the back of your fantasy lineup.  James McDonald is a guy to keep your eye on, but not worthy of drafting in standard leagues.  Don’t bother drafting other guys like Eric Stults, or the un-signed free agents like Garland, Padilla, Schmidt, Milton, or Weaver.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

Brandon Webb should be good to go by the start of spring training, as he just recently began his throwing program.  He has been solid his whole career and should return to being a #1 starter on many fantasy teams.  Still, he’s getting older and you never know how pitchers will fair coming back from injuries.  Dan Haren is a stud…in the first half.  I think everyone has documented how much better his pre-allstar stats are compared to post-allstar (over a 1.00 increase in ERA in each of the past 4 seasons).  Draft him as a top 20 starter like Webb, but if you can get top value in a trade, by all means do it.  Edwin Jackson will most likely be drafted in all leagues, but as I’ve said before I’m passing; don’t think that home run total will be coming down any time soon.  Ian Kennedy must prove something before being drafted, hell actually before even being talked about in a fantasy article.  And Billy Buckner (sucks to have that name) is a guy to keep your eye on during the season.

4. Colorado Rockies

Wow, there are actually draftable starters in the Rockies rotation???  You betcha.  I would say Ubaldo is a top 25 starter, who actually had a better record and ERA at home last year.  Turning 26 this week, there is still plenty of upside here.  The other guy I really like in this rotation is Jorge De La Rosa (a sleeper of mine); he on the other hand did ridiculously better on the road, but you gotta love that 9+ K/9 ratio.  I honestly wouldn’t bother drafting Aaron Cook, but if you need a starter to fill the last spot in your rotation he by no means is a bad option (look for those 7IP, 3ER, 2K stat lines).  Jason Hammel still needs to prove to me he’s worthy of being mentioned in the fantasy world, but this year will be his chance.  I bought all of Jeff Francis’ 2007 season going into 2008, then he busted all over my face.  2009 was nonexistent - I will say 2010 (he is fully healthy for spring training) will be an average of his ’07 and ’08 seasons which is very respectable, but waiver wire material in my mind.  Also, keep your eye on the highly-touted Jhoulys Chacin; he should get a crack at a starting gig should one of the aforementioned falter.

5. San Diego Padres

I don’t particularly like any pitcher on this team for a top of your rotation guy, but there are several decent options and they do pitch in the friendly confines of PETCO Park.  Chris Young, if healthy can put up solid #2/#3 starter numbers for your fantasy team, I would temper expectations though and not draft him inside the top 35; that K/9 ratio should come back to around 8.  Kevin Correia had a breakout 2009 and I do not expect that to repeat, let others overpay for him…that is, overpaying before say Round 10, otherwise he’s worth a shot.  Mat Latos had a rocky rookie season, but I think he can definitely improve. I would make him a late round flyer as well as the next guy, Clayton Richard, who pitched a little better in SD compared to CHI last year.  LeBlanc and Stauffer are just stocking stuffers (stauffers?) at this point, though I do like what I see from them in the ERA column.

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Bob Miller said:

	... "I bought all of Jeff Francis’ 2007 season going into 2008, then he busted all over my face" HAHA Classic line. That one is going into the mental database under funny.
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January 21, 2010
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