San Francisco Giants: This team has performed amazingly well given the talent they have, surely in part due [...]]]> The last month has seen 3 teams:, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco  all battling for supremacy in the NL West. Let’s take a quick glance at how they rank up and their chances for making the playoffs.

San Francisco Giants: This team has performed amazingly well given the talent they have, surely in part due to the skill of their GM. I don’t think they have much of a chance for this season though and will end up with 3rd place. Drew Thompson, currently hitting .376, was a very good pick up last season and continues to play at a great level.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers have a legimate ace in SP Chris Mcdonald, who won 17 games for them last year and isn’t even peaked yet. They have a slight chance of winning the division, but would need a big move or a lot of luck to win the West. 1B Luis Aguirre has been an anchor in the lineup since LA acquired him from Baltimore, and looks to be a fixture for seasons to come.

San Diego Padres: Perennial underpeformers, the Padres are in top shape this year and look to win the division easily. SP Aaron Emerick has a 2.82 ERA with a 9-7 record and  could be a Cy Young candidate. Their lineup is loaded as well, with All-Stars such as 2B Michael Vickers, but the injury to RF Kevin Gheorge will definitely hurt.

The NL West is constantly mentioned as a “weak” division, and I heard numerous GMs say they wanted Las Vegas as an expansion team solely to play in that division. I think the NL West has a lot of potential, and by the time any expansion team is ready to compete it will not likely be the weakest link.

Sources say that Berg could possibly end up getting a three-year deal, possibly a bit below 10 million dollars each year. Berg, 31, [...]]]> The idea that starting pitching is always at a premium has been proven true by Justin Berg this offseason, drawing tons of interest from five different teams: The Twins, Dodgers, Rockies, Brewers and Rangers.

Sources say that Berg could possibly end up getting a three-year deal, possibly a bit below 10 million dollars each year. Berg, 31, has spent most of his major-league career with the current Cutthroats and the former Devil Rays. He has a career 4.29 ERA, but boasts a 3.88 DICE.

The Twins are said to be the frontrunners for Berg.

Peralta, 33, hit .340 last year for the Twins, and is joining his 8th ballclub. Aviola, 23, [...]]]> Word coming from the commish’s office is that the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed on a deal that will send veteran SS Jhonny Peralta to the Dodgers in exchange for OF prospect Etienne Aviola, pending approval.

Peralta, 33, hit .340 last year for the Twins, and is joining his 8th ballclub. Aviola, 23, played in 43 games for the Single-A Vero Beach Dodgers, hitting .310 with 6 HRs and 32 RBIs.