Conversations With the Enemy: Padres and Rockies Offensive Changes

Now that we’ve cycled through each team in the National League West and spoke with other FanSided writers, we’ve come back to the Rockies.  Both the Padres and the Rockies have made some drastic changes to their rosters.  I recently spoke with Michelle Hoag of Rox Pile to get her thoughts and share my thoughts on the offseason transactions.

The Rockies have made some drastic moves this offseason. Then again, so have the Padres. Who has improved their offense more?

Michelle – Rox Pile:

I’m going to call this one a draw. The Rockies may have unloaded young bats like Ian Stewart‘s and Chris Iannetta‘s and took on aging ones like Michael Cuddyer‘s and Marco Scutaro‘s. But what the Rockies need in order to be better offensively in 2012 is consistency, and the increase in experience in the lineup was

exponential. That’s not to say they’ll be a pitcher’s kryptonite, but I think they’re better than they were. On the other hand, the Padres do have Carlos Quentin now, and he will be a key component for them. Yonder Alonso could also make a big impact. There are a lot of wild cards in both these lineups, and I think it will be well into the regular season before we know for sure who had the better offseason.

Justin – Chicken Friars

It’s tough not to be biased and optimistic, but I love what the Padres have done this offseason.  The addition of Yonder Alonso, Carlos Quentin, and John Baker on the offense is huge.  Those three players should single-handedly help the Padres move closer to the middle of the pack in runs scored.  On the other hand, the moves the Rockies have made are puzzling.  Similar to the Padres, it’s hard to tell if they are trying to shed payroll or compete now.  However, I do really like the Marco Scutaro move.  The Rockies are a team in transition, more so than the Padres I think.  I’ve got to give the edge to the Padres, but of course that all depends on how the new guys adjust to Petco Park.

With Spring Training just a few weeks away, we will start to find out who has the more improved offense.  The Padres and the Rockies are both in rebuilding mode, but the question is which team is looking to compete now as well?